Grant Opportunities Overview
To Apply: Please read through the Overview, Priorities, and Guidelines tabs. Then click on Academic, Biotech, or Conference to submit your LOI.
ADDF funds drug discovery research programs from domestic and international investigators in academia and biotechnology companies. In addition, ADDF initiates, sponsors, and co-sponsors conferences to stimulate new ideas and approaches in areas of interest to the Foundation, bringing together physicians, scientists, and policy makers worldwide.
As a biomedical venture philanthropy, ADDF seeks to fill the critical translational funding gap between basic research and later stage drug development. We fund high risk, early stage drug discovery and development projects and catalyze scientists to enter the drug discovery field. We have adapted the operating model and principles of venture capital investing to our philanthropic mission in biomedical research. We help to create new biotechnology companies, and to fund early stage biotechnology companies, with programs dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery. We seek a return on investment for all of our grants based on the achievement of scientific milestones. When these milestones are met, funds return to the Foundation to increase our ability to support more research.
Note: Title to any intellectual property made by the grantee institution during the performance or as a result of the grant shall vest with the grantee institution.
- ADDF accepts grant applications for the “General Request for Proposals” research award programs throughout the year (2010 deadlines for full proposals are January 7, April 1, July 1, and October 1). See RFP.
- NEW: ADDF is accepting grant applications for the “Novel Biomarkers to Accelerate Drug Discovery for Frontotemporal Dementias” award program. Deadline is September 9, 2010. See RFP.
2010 Research Funding Priorities
The Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) does not support basic research and solely allocates funding towards translational research efforts for Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and cognitive aging. The ADDF funds 4 different priority areas: Drug Discovery (target validation; high throughput screening; medicinal chemistry, including hit to lead development and lead optimization; in vitro and in vivo studies of efficacy, ADME, toxicology, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics; and in vivo proof-of-concept with lead compounds and biologics), Early Detection (development of biomarkers to accelerate drug development and early diagnosis), Clinical Trials (innovative pilot clinical trials) and Prevention (targeted pharmacological and non-pharmacological approaches to prevention).
With regards to disease-relevant pathways:
- The ADDF is interested in novel targets and therapeutic approaches for Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and cognitive aging. These areas include, but are not limited to: neuroprotection; mitochondrial function; the neuro-vascular unit / microvasculature; tau/tangle prevention, treatment and clearance; myelin; synaptic integrity and plasticity; biomarker validation; imaging agents; and novel approaches to cognitive enhancement.
- The ADDF has limited interest in funding anti-amyloid approaches, including anti-amyloid aggregation programs, Abeta vaccine development and beta or gamma-secretase inhibition programs. The ADDF also has limited interest in funding cholinesterase inhibitor programs.
The ADDF welcomes potential applicants to direct proposal ideas, questions and comments to:
Diana Shineman, PhD, Assistant Director for Scientific Affairs (DShineman@alzdiscovery.org)
General Application Guidelines
The ADDF adheres to several broad guidelines in accepting and evaluating grant applications.
- Applications are usually solicited by private invitation, but unsolicited proposals are also accepted. A Letter of Intent is required to determine ADDF’s interest prior to a full application. If the submitted Letter of Intent is not consistent with our mission, a full proposal will not be invited.
- Letters of Intent to the General RFP are accepted throughout the year. Review cycles are held quarterly.
- All grant funds are approved for one year, but renewals may be considered.
- Support is provided for personnel costs, supplies (i.e., consumables, chemicals, animals), small non-durable equipment up to $2,500, consultants, and patient costs related to clinical trials.
- Support is not provided for indirect costs/overhead, capital equipment, equipment service contracts, publication costs, or travel.
- Contact our Senior Grants Manager regarding questions about indirect costs/overhead.
- Funded researchers must submit scientific and financial progress reports on a semi-annual basis.
Applicants who wish to be considered for an Academic, Biotechnology or Conference grant must comply with the following procedure:
- Complete an electronic Letter of Intent.
- After the Letter of Intent is recognized and reviewed by ADDF, the applicant will receive an email with a link to the electronic application forms to submit a full proposal. The applicant must fill out the forms electronically and submit them via the website. The applicant will also be prompted to print out one complete hard copy for the investigator and an administrative official to sign in the designated fields and submit via post.
- IMPORTANT: Please do not staple or bind the hard copy together in any format.
- The signed hard copy should be mailed to:Adam Liebling
Senior Grants Manager
Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
1414 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1502
New York, NY 10019
Upon receipt of the application, the ADDF will begin the scientific review process. We will attempt to make a determination of interest within 90 days of the proposal deadline.
Once ADDF receives the application materials, the organization selects members of its Scientific Review Board to conduct a written review. For applications from biotechnology companies, additional reviewers also are invited from the Business Advisory Board to assess the management and viability of the company from a business perspective.
The ADDF regrets that we are not able to fund all grant proposals, though every effort is made to provide constructive feedback to our applicants.
Open RFPs
- ADDF accepts grant applications for the “General Request for Proposals” research award programs throughout the year (2010 deadlines for full proposals are January 7, April 1, July 1, and October 1). See RFP.
- NEW: ADDF is accepting grant applications for the “Novel Biomarkers to Accelerate Drug Discovery for Frontotemporal Dementias” award program. Deadline is September 9, 2010. See RFP.
Academic Grants
(Submit your LOI below.)
The ADDF Academic Drug Discovery and Development Program seeks to create and support innovative translational research programs for Alzheimer’s disease, related dementias and cognitive aging in academic medical centers and universities. Biomarker development studies and innovative proof of concept pilot clinical trials of new approaches to treatment, prevention and early detection are also supported.
when submitting complete
applicationWord Documents
Biotechnology Grants
(Submit your LOI below.)
ADDF helps to create new biotechnology companies, and to fund early stage biotechnology companies, with programs dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease drug discovery. Funding is provided through program-related investments (PRIs) that require return on investment based upon scientific and/or business milestones. When these milestones are met, funds return to the ADDF to increase our ability to support more research. PRIs may take the form of convertible notes with warrant coverage.
- ADDF Biotechnology Development Program supports qualified scientific projects in existing, private, early-stage biotechnology companies. ADDF will provide support for qualified projects in more advanced companies if a clear need for non-profit funding to support the project within the company can be demonstrated and justified. All funds must be used for scientific program purposes, and cannot be used as unrestricted funding to the company.
- ADDF Biotechnology Founders Technology Transfer Program supports academic programs that are eligible for technology transfer and the startup of new biotechnology companies with programs dedicated to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Up to 35% of funds from these awards may be employed for expenses related to company formation, such as administrative, legal, patent and third-party vendor costs.
when submitting complete
applicationWord Documents
Conference Grants
The ADDF and the ISOA initiate, sponsor, and co-sponsor conferences to stimulate new ideas and approaches in areas of interest. Conferences bring together outstanding physicians, scientists, and policy makers from the U.S. and the international community.
when submitting complete
applicationWord Documents