Program Overview
The New Investigator Award Program (NIAP), in collaboration with the Alzheimer's Association, is a prestigious funding opportunity designed to foster the career development of early-career investigators in the field of Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) research. The Alzheimer's Association is the world's largest non-profit funder of Alzheimer's and all dementia science, with over $360 million in funding committed today to over 1,000 projects in 53 countries.
This program aims to encourage new and early career investigators to develop innovative research projects, foster collaborations within their Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC) and across the ADRC network, and support their journey toward becoming independent researchers.
Building on the success of their ongoing collaboration, NACC and the Alzheimer's Association continue to partner to offer the NIAP, reinforcing their shared commitment to supporting and advancing the careers of the next generation of AD/ADRD researchers.
The NIAP represents a core tenet of the missions of NACC, the Alzheimer's Association, and the ADRCs: funding early career investigators to drive forward understanding and treatment of AD/ADRD.
Key Features of the NIAP
- Up to ten awards available annually
- $135,000 in direct costs per award
- One- to two-year project duration
- Comprehensive mentorship program to support applicants through application process
- Focus on innovative, impactful research across the spectrum of AD/ADRD studies
2026 Program Status and Timeline
Program Update
The 2025 NIAP funding cycle has closed.
NACC is up for renewal in 2026, with our current 5-year U24 ending on May 31, 2026. This means NACC will not be able to offer the New Investigator Award Program in 2026. However, we look forward to continuing to support new investigators in the next funding cycle beginning in Fall 2026.
What to Expect in 2026
- Spotlights on past NIAP awardees and their impactful research
- Sharing funding opportunities from other ADRD organizations
- Actively exploring additional funding opportunities for early-career investigators
Congratulations to Our 2025 Awardees!
We're thrilled to announce the recipients of our 2025 New Investigator Awards! Twenty-three exceptional early-career researchers from across the ADRC network have been selected to receive $135,000 each to advance innovative AD/ADRD research. These awards represent a $3.1M investment in the next generation of AD/ADRD scientists.
Meet our 2025 award recipients and explore their innovative research →
Program Impact
The NIAP has demonstrated exceptional growth and impact since its inception, with a 329% average increase in applications across recent funding cycles showing extraordinary ADRC engagement. The program has evolved from receiving 19 applications in 2021, to receiving 138 final applications (from 34 out of 36 ADRCs) in 2025, representing 94% program participation.
Beyond immediate funding, the program creates lasting career benefits: 83% of participants report that the mentorship program better prepared them for future grant applications, and 93% applied for additional grants following their NIAP application. The program's mentorship component has proven particularly valuable, with mentor relationships continuing beyond the funding cycle, and 64% of mentees have applied for additional grants following their NIAP application.
See all NACC funded research to discover how the NIAP has helped shape the trajectory of early-career researchers in AD/ADRD since the program's inception.
Hear from Our Alumni
Watch Dr. Tamar Gefen, a past NIAP awardee, share her experience and the impact of the award on her career in AD/ADRD research.
NIAP Mentorship Program
Building Success Through Collaborative Mentorship
NACC and the Research Education Component (REC) of the ADRC Program have partnered to provide the NIAP Mentorship Program. This initiative connects new and early-career investigators with experienced mentors who provide targeted feedback on proposal drafts and specific aims. The REC is instrumental in developing mentor recruitment strategies, providing guidance to mentors, and matching mentees with experts in their specific research areas.
Mentorship Process
- Applicants request a mentor through their Letter of Intent at the start of the application process.
- REC matches mentors with mentees based on research expertise and complementary backgrounds.
- Mentor-mentee pairs participate in two review and feedback sessions before the application deadline.
We strongly encourage all applicants, especially those new to grant writing, to participate in this program. The NIAP Mentorship Program is designed to strengthen your current application while building skills that will serve your broader career as an AD/ADRD researcher.
"I think this is an excellent program. I, personally, benefited a great deal from it. The mentor I had became a role model and inspiration to me."
"This mentorship experience is the best feedback I have ever received for a grant. I am so eternally grateful for the opportunity."
-NIAP Mentees
How the Program Works
- Expert Guidance: Mentors are experienced researchers from across the ADRC network
- Personalized Support: Mentorship is tailored to each applicant's specific research focus and needs
- Flexible Interaction: Meetings can be conducted virtually or in-person, based on mentor and mentee preferences
- Proposal Strengthening: Mentors provide constructive feedback to enhance the quality of applications
Career Development Impact
- Exposure to diverse perspectives from experts outside a researcher's home institution
- Development of grant writing skills applicable to future funding opportunities
- Opportunity to build professional relationships within the AD/ADRD research community
- Increased confidence in navigating the grant application process
Mentorship Program Results
83%
said mentorship strengthened their proposal
85%
found it easy to connect with mentors
93%
felt confident in applying guidance to future grants
7 of 10
awardees participated in program
92%
of mentors felt they strengthened mentee proposals
99%
interested in mentoring again
Resources
- 2025 NIAP Request for Applications (RFA) Document
Note: This is for reference only; the 2025 NIAP is closed and not accepting applications. To receive future NIAP updates, please subscribe to the mailing list below. - Alzheimer's Association Funding Opportunities
- ADRC Director Letter of Support Template
Note: If using the Chrome browser, you may receive an error message when downloading this Word file, but you can override the error by selecting "download insecure file." Downloading in another browser such as Firefox or Edge may also work. - Frequently Asked Questions
Questions? We're Here to Help
We encourage all applicants and researchers interested in the NIAP to reach out with questions. Our team is committed to supporting new investigators across the ADRC network and ensuring you have the resources needed for a successful application.
For inquiries about eligibility, application processes, or the NIAP Mentorship Program, contact us at grantsapp@alz.org or info@naccdata.org.
Subscribe to NIAP Updates
Sign up for the New Investigator Award Program email list to receive announcements about future funding cycles, application deadlines, and early-career opportunities in AD/ADRD research.