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.
Research Funding Priorities
We believe the time is ripe to translate years of basic research in cognitive aging and Alzheimer’s disease into clinical application through drug discovery. Therefore, we’ve targeted our grant support in two areas:
- Treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive aging: ADDF supports drug discovery and drug development of novel treatments for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, and cognitive decline associated with aging. These may include cognitive enhancers and disease modifying agents for preventing or delaying progression. We provide funding for target validation and proof-of-concept studies, high throughput screening of chemical libraries, lead discovery and optimization, rational medicinal chemistry, and pre-clinical drug development. ADDF also supports small proof-of principle clinical research studies.
- Early detection and prevention: ADDF supports the development of biomarkers, such as advanced brain imaging techniques, CSF and blood tests for the early detection of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. We also support clinical research projects to improve early detection of cognitive impairment through population-based approaches that can impact large numbers of individuals at risk.
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 receipt of the application.
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.
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.
Downloadwhen 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