Institutional Training Programs to Advance Translational Research on Alzheimer's Disease and AD Related Dementias (T32 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 18 524

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the NIH opportunity PAR-18-524?

PAR-18-524 is an NIH funding opportunity that supports Institutional Training Grants (T32). It is designed to help institutions build and run structured training programs that develop scientists for translational research in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and AD-related dementias (ADRD).

What is the main purpose of this funding opportunity?

The main purpose is workforce development: creating a strong, diverse pipeline of researchers who can effectively participate in, and eventually lead, cross-disciplinary team science efforts that move discoveries toward therapies for AD/ADRD.

What does NIH mean by "translational" AD/ADRD research in this program?

In this context, translational research capacity means trainees are expected to gain practical skills that connect foundational disease biology to real-world therapeutic development. The emphasis is on preparing trainees to understand and contribute to the therapy-development landscape, rather than remaining confined to a single academic discipline.

Is this grant for individual trainees or for institutions?

This is an institutional training mechanism. The applicant organization proposes and operates a structured training program, including the training environment, mentorship structure, and curriculum or training experiences. The program is not described as a mechanism that directly funds an individual trainee applying on their own.

Who is the training intended to support (career stage)?

The supported training programs are designed for both predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers, with the goal of preparing them to contribute to cutting-edge basic, translational, and clinical research directions in AD/ADRD (within the training framework described in the FOA).

What is the role of interdisciplinarity in PAR-18-524?

Interdisciplinarity is a central feature. NIH is looking for training programs that intentionally bring together trainees from varied educational backgrounds, including basic biology, translational and clinical research, and data science. The expectation is that trainees learn to work across traditional boundaries as part of integrated, team-based research approaches.

What kinds of skills or knowledge areas are emphasized for trainees?

The program emphasizes: (1) core knowledge of AD/ADRD disease biology, (2) competence in data science approaches relevant to modern biomedical research, and (3) exposure to traditional and emerging drug discovery disciplines, with a focus on understanding the full therapy-development landscape.

Does the FOA support training that includes clinical research topics?

Yes, the research spectrum mentioned includes clinical research in the sense that trainees may learn about clinically informed translational strategy and the translational pathways that connect discovery to therapy development. The training is intended to reflect how modern AD/ADRD research is conducted across basic, translational, and clinically informed domains.

Are clinical trials allowed under this funding opportunity?

No. The FOA is explicitly labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed." While trainees may learn about clinical research and translational pathways, the supported training program is not intended to include conducting clinical trials under this award.

What types of organizations are eligible to apply?

Eligible applicants include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (with or without 501(c)(3) status), federally recognized Native American tribal governments, and Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized governments.

Are certain institution categories specifically highlighted as eligible?

Yes. The announcement highlights additional eligible categories such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions.

Can foreign institutions apply?

No. Foreign institutions are not eligible to apply for this opportunity.

Are non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations eligible?

No. Non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible, reinforcing that the training program must be based within eligible U.S. entities and locations as defined in the FOA.

What is the funding activity category and assistance listing information provided?

The opportunity is described as a discretionary NIH grant in the health funding activity category and is associated with CFDA 93.866.

When was the opportunity created, and what closing date is listed?

The opportunity was created on December 21, 2017, and the original closing date listed is January 7, 2021.

Is an award ceiling provided in the information given?

No. An award ceiling is not specified in the provided details.

Is the expected number of awards provided in the information given?

No. The expected number of awards is not listed in the information provided.

What should applicants do to find budget guidance or program scale expectations?

Because the award ceiling and expected number of awards are not included in the provided details, applicants would need to refer to the full funding announcement for budget guidance, expectations for program scale, and other application requirements.

What kind of training environment is NIH looking for institutions to build?

The supported programs are meant to provide a coherent training environment with a structured mentorship approach and a curriculum or training experiences that prepare trainees for integrated AD/ADRD research efforts. The training is expected to be rigorous, up to date, and aligned with team-based, data-informed, therapy-focused research environments.

What is the overall takeaway of what NIH is investing in through PAR-18-524?

Overall, NIH is investing in institutional training infrastructure to produce the next generation of AD/ADRD translational scientists who can operate effectively in cross-disciplinary teams that combine wet-lab biology, computational methods, and clinically informed translational strategy focused on moving discoveries toward therapies.