The Wisconsin Alzheimer’s Disease Research Center (ADRC) supports feasibility studies targeting Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research through its Developmental Project Awards. Proposals may range from basic or biomedical to translational, epidemiological, caregiving, or social behavioral research. Clinical trials are excluded.
Funding is available to all researchers within the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with priority given to junior researchers and postdoctoral trainees. Established researchers new to ADRD research and those with a new hypothesis that is not an extension of already ongoing research are also welcome to apply. Applications from underrepresented groups are encouraged.
Developmental projects should align with the aims of the National Alzheimer’s Project Act. Priority will be given to investigators who leverage the use of Wisconsin ADRC or National Alzheimer’s Coordinating Center (NACC) data or biological samples from the National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD) as part of their research plan.
The Wisconsin ADRC supports up to three awards of up to $75,000 annually in direct costs per project with a duration of one to two years. No indirect costs will be supported.
Application
Applications must consist of a condensed National Institutes of Health (NIH) application template, which includes:
- A cover page with applicant information
- Abstract
- Biosketches
- Budget and budget justification
- Research plan (up to 4 pages)
- References
- Human subject and/or animal forms if applicable
- Complete the survey and attach a single PDF of your application here
- The application deadline has passed
Review process
Proposals are competitive and peer-reviewed. Applications will be reviewed for feasibility and scientific merit by both internal and external reviewers. Summarized reviews will be provided to applicants as appropriate. Award decisions will be communicated to applicants in early January 2023.
Reporting requirements
Each awardee will be asked to present their project at the ADRC Executive Committee meeting at the onset and upon completion. Participation in quarterly meetings to update ADRC key leadership on progress to date is required. Annual progress reports are required in January of each year of funding. Additional reporting requests may be made during the grant cycle.
Important Deadlines and Timeline
October 31, 2022: Applications due
November–December 2022: Scientific review conducted
December 2022: Funding meeting
Early January 2023: Awardees announced
April 1, 2023: Earliest grant start date
March 31, 2025: Latest grant end date
Please email the Wisconsin ADRC with any questions regarding Developmental Projects.
Funded Awardees and Projects
2023-2025
Starr Cameron, MS, BVetMed, DACVIM and LaTasha Crawford, VMD, PhD, DACVP
“Defining pathologic and molecular correlates of a spontaneous feline model of dementia”
Melissa Rosenkranz, PhD
Validation and Optimization of a Novel Brain Imaging Approach to Measuring Glial Activation”
Nader Sheibani, PhD
“Ocular Vascular Changes as Potential Early Alzheimer’s Disease Biomarkers”
Read more about the 2023-2025 Developmental Projects.
2021-2023
Laura Eisenmenger, MD
"Eliciting the Role of Vascular Wall Dysfunction in Alzheimer’s"
Kevin Eliceiri, PhD and Tyler Ulland, PhD
"Label free quantitative imaging of the amyloid plaque cellular microenvironment in Alzheimer’s"
Adrienne L. Johnson, PhD
"ADRD Prevention Messaging to Increase Smoking Cessation Attempts in Older Adults"
Read more about the 2021-2023 Developmental Projects.
2019-2021
Kimberly D. Mueller, PhD
"Connected Speech and Alzheimer's Disease Biomarkers: Investigating an Ecologically Valid Measure of Language and Cognition"
Joshua J. Coon, PhD
"Learning Cures for Alzheimer's Disease with Multiomics and Artificial Intelligence"
