ForecastedFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesRFA-NS-26-034

Functional Target Validation for Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias

National Institutes of HealthCloses Nov 6, 2026(24 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is a forecasted NIH/NINDS research program to functionally validate new therapeutic targets for Alzheimer's disease-related dementias, structured as a phased R61/R33-style award with about 2 awards from $1,800,000 total. It is for labs and research-driven organizations, including small biotech businesses, that can build disease models and run milestone-based validation studies. If you are not doing biomedical research, do not apply.

Best for
Biotech and life-science research groups with ADRD target-validation programs, Universities and academic labs running in vitro or in vivo neuroscience studies, Small businesses doing preclinical CNS drug-discovery R&D, Nonprofits and research institutes with cross-disciplinary validation capabilities
Not for
Businesses with no research or lab capability, Retail, construction, and manufacturing firms, Organizations outside the United States
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechDeadline is more than 30 days away
59
Good Match
Technology & SoftwareMatches your industry (tech)
57
Good Match
Education & TrainingMatches your industry (stem)
56
Good Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
51
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
49
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
49
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
48
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsMatches your industry (transit)
46
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
45
Possible Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to agriculture & farming
43
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
43
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
42
Possible Match
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Nothing in this notice points to retail & e-commerce
42
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to construction & infrastructure
39
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research, R&D
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
The application deadline is 2026-11-06. The notice was posted on 2026-03-10 as a forecast, and applications are not being solicited yet.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
Total program funding is $1,800,000 with about 2 awards expected, so awards are likely substantial but the per-award amount is not published. The program is structured as a phased award (R61/R33-style), with a milestone-based transition between phases.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profit organizations other than small businesses, 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3) nonprofits, public and private institutions of higher education, independent school districts, state, county, city or township, special district, and public housing authorities, plus federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations. Faith-based, community-based, regional organizations, and eligible federal agencies may also apply. Foreign institutions are not allowed.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
The facts do not say. Sole proprietors and single-member LLCs are not named in the eligible applicant codes, so their eligibility is not published here.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Both nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education) are listed as eligible applicants.

Summary

NIH/NINDS forecasted phased (R61/R33-style) research award to functionally validate newly identified therapeutic target candidates for Alzheimer's disease-related dementias in in vitro and in vivo models. Eligible applicants include small businesses, for-profit organizations, nonprofits, universities, and state, local, and tribal governments.

About this grant

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is interested in supporting ambitious research projects that propose comprehensive functional validation of newly identified therapeutic target candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease–Related Dementias (ADRD). A major barrier to the development of effective treatments for ADRD, as well as other complex central nervous system disorders, is the lack of well-validated targets that are clearly linked to disease mechanisms. Successful translation of basic discoveries into the clinic depends on the rigor of target validation and confidence in a causal relationship between modulation of a target and its functional physiological consequences relevant to treating or preventing disease. This initiative aims to de-risk subsequent translational research and accelerate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. NINDS believes that this initiative would be most appropriately supported by a phased award mechanism (for example, R61/R33). In the initial phase, support would be provided for the development of customized technologies, models, and protocols to modulate the expression or activity of candidate targets and to assess their physiological consequences in relevant in vitro and in vivo disease models. Upon successful achievement of predefined, milestone-based technical feasibility and proof-of-concept criteria, projects would transition to the second phase focused on measuring and cross-validating the effects of target modulation across multiple experimental modalities and collaborating laboratories, in accordance with NIH rigor and reproducibility guidelines. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop responsive projects and establish appropriate cross-disciplinary collaborations.

Who can apply

Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not allowed

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Health
  • Science

Program contact

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