How to Secure Alzheimer’s Association Grants?

Alzheimer’s Association Grants

Alzheimer’s is one of the most trying mental ailments today. According to the “Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures” report released by the Alzheimer’s Association, an astonishing 6 million Americans are currently suffering from Alzheimer’s.

This figure is set to increase to an astounding 13 million by 2050. In the US, deaths due to Alzheimer’s and dementia have witnessed a 16% increase, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

One out of every three seniors in the US dies due to Alzheimer’s or dementia. This figure is more than that of breast cancer and prostate cancer fatalities combined.

The report estimates that treatment of Alzheimer’s and dementia costs the US around US$ 355 billion today and this cost is set to reach an incredible US$ 1.1 trillion, by 2050. There are over 11 million Americans who are selflessly devoted to caring for those suffering from Alzheimer’s and dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Association International Research Grant Program

The Alzheimer’s Association is committed to improving the treatment and care for those suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

The association is focused on advancing research into treatment and after-care for patients suffering from Alzheimer’s. Starting in 1982, the association’s grants have today made it the largest private, nonprofit fund source for Alzheimer’s research.

At present, the association is investing over US$ 235 million in more than 650 active projects in around 39 countries worldwide.

Aim of Alzheimer’s Association International Research Grant Program

The Alzheimer’s Association’s International Research Grant Program is designed to sponsor investigative research that can advance our knowledge of Alzheimer’s disease.

These grants are provided to aid in identifying new treatment techniques, acquiring extensive information that helps improve patient care and extending our know-how of preventing diseases and disorders of the brain.

The International Research Grant Program by the Alzheimer’s Association supports researchers at every stage and includes categories that are meant to promote young scientists’ careers in Alzheimer’s research.

This grant is awarded to those working on basic discovery to studies regarding the social and behavioral impact of Alzheimer’s.

To date, the association’s research grants have helped unearth several significant aspects, including that relating to the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and early detection of Alzheimer’s and other similar dementias.

Funding under Alzheimer’s Association International Research Grant Program

Let’s take a closer look at the grant provided by the Alzheimer’s Association under its International Research Grant Program:

Advancing Research on Care and Outcome Measurements (ARCOM)

The ARCOM funds are meant to address a noticeable lack of care and outcome measurements.

This fund allows advanced research into improving treatment by allowing caregivers to use proven treatment practices and achieve desired treatment outcomes.

This fund is meant to advance research projects focused on measures of care and outcomes, along with the evaluation of using such measures to improve patient care.

ARCOM grant awardees are expected to collaborate with LINC-AD (Leveraging an Interdisciplinary Consortium to Improve Care and Outcomes for Persons Living with Alzheimer’s and Dementia) by sharing research activities and progress as part of the consortium.

Area of Focus for ARCOM

Some of the major areas of interest that are eligible for a research grant by the Alzheimer’s Association ARCOM funding program include:

• Outcome measurement by developing new person-centric outcome measures that help forge a balance between deficit assessment and strength. For instance, measures associated with engagement, activity involvement, resilience, health and other strong areas.
• Care measurement by developing measures that guide patient care and is known to give positive outcomes. For instance, creating checklists of proof-based care procedures that encourage independent activities in daily life.
• Application of measurement includes measures in new settings, with new demography, or in unique applications. For instance, the simultaneous use of biomarkers and psychosocial measures and using new technologies to help with observational measures.
• Evaluation of measurement in intervention research includes testing measurement methods in real-life scenarios.

To improve your chances of successfully receiving the Alzheimer’s Association ARCOM grant, your research plan must include the following:

• Measurement of the impact, which includes the extent of its reach, the potential of the plan in terms of scalability and the chances of making a positive impact for large numbers of people.
• The practical approach focused on feasibility and reality to scare potential tools and outcome measures without complicating processes.
• Naming the main stakeholders and their specific role in the research study.

ARCOM Fund and Award Period

The Alzheimer’s Association usually funds up to eight ARCOM proposals each year. Each award is up to US$ 250,000 (including direct and indirect costs) for a minimum of 1 year to a maximum of 2 year award period.

Any grant request should not exceed the grant amount of US$ 250,000 and indirect costs are not to exceed 10% of the total direct costs.

Eligibility for Alzheimer’s Association ARCOM grants

The Alzheimer’s Association’s ARCOM grant is provided to applicants who are established and independent investigators and fulfill the below-given criteria:

• Academic appointment as Assistant Professor and above/or equivalent at an institution
• Major, peer-reviewed, external multi-layer grant support where the applicant is the principal investigator (PI)
• Quality and independence of publication record

The Alzheimer’s Association aims to increase the number of scientists from underrepresented groups in the research industry.

To know the specific eligibility criteria to apply for Alzheimer’s Association ARCOM grants, it is highly advisable to visit the association’s official website and get the latest information.

Conclusion

The Alzheimer’s Association provides an excellent grants program that funds research looking to advance and improve diagnosis, prevention, treatment and after-care of patients suffering from Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

References

https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/

https://www.ipa-online.org/news-and-issues/

https://www.alz.org/research/for_researchers/grants/

https://www.alz.org/get-involved-now/advocate/research-funding

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