The Program

The major goal of this program is to support important research in areas in which more scientific investigation is needed to improve the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Alzheimer's Disease. The program will also serve to encourage junior investigators in the United States and Israel to pursue research and academic careers in the neurosciences, and Alzheimer's disease in particular.

Projects in basic and translational research related to Alzheimer's disease (AD) that are clinically relevant, will be considered. Examples of promising areas of research include, but are not limited to:

• Basic mechanisms of aging in the central nervous system
• Genetics of AD
• Neuroimaging and precursors of AD
• Cellular and Molecular pathways of AD
• Biological Markers of AD
• Exercise and dietary factors
• Neurogenesis and AD
• Impact of environmental agents in CNS aging and early AD
• Inflammation
• Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular factors
• Drug discovery

It is anticipated that 5 grants of up to $75,000 each will be awarded in 2009. Applicants may propose to use the award over the course of one or two years as justified by the proposed research. Funds may not be requested for overhead or indirect costs. Funding will begin July 1, 2009.

Eligibility

The applicant must be an independent investigator with assigned independent space and must have received a junior faculty appointment (instructor, assistant professor or equivalent) by July 1, 2005 or later. The proposed research must be conducted at any type of not-for-profit setting in the United States or Israel.

The Gilbert/AFAR Research Grant Program does not provide support for:

• Postdoctoral fellows in the laboratory of a senior investigator
• Investigators who have already received major extramural funding for research on Alzheimer's disease and/or aging (such as an R01 grant)
• Senior faculty, i.e. at the rank of Associate Professor level or higher
• NIH Intramural program employees

Applicants cannot apply for the 2009 AFAR Research Grant Program or Glenn/AFAR BIG Program. Applications for this program will be considered for the AFAR Research Grant if deemed competitive.

If you are using animals in your research, please review Principles of Animal Use for Gerontological Research.

Five criteria are used to determine the merit of an application:

• Qualifications of the applicant;
• Quality of the proposed research;
• Relevance of the proposal to how mechanisms of aging may lead to AD;
• Excellence of the research environment;
• Likelihood that the project will advance the applicant's career in basic research on the mechanisms of aging and AD

Application Procedures

All candidates must submit applications endorsed by their institution. The deadline for receipt of applications and supporting materials from candidates based in the U.S. is December 16, 2008 at 5:00 p.m. EST. The deadline for receipt of applications and supporting materials from candidates based in Israel is December 30, 2008. Please refer to the instruction sheet and application for complete application procedures. Incomplete applications cannot be considered.

Applications are reviewed in two stages: The initial screening takes place in mid-April, after which candidates are advised of the status of their applications. A final decision about grant awards is made in early June. The award start date is July 1, 2009.

AFAR can provide critiques only for those applications that are reviewed, at the second stage, by their Review Committee.

Reporting Requirements

Investigators will be required to submit a brief narrative report on the progress of their research five months after the start date of the award. Final narrative and financial reports are required within three months following the end date of the award.

Annual Meeting

The award recipients are expected to attend the AFAR Grantee Conference which convenes AFAR grant recipients, mentors and leaders in the field to review and disseminate the research progress of the grantees and their findings. The meeting encourages networking, facilitates collaborations, and enhances the development of leadership. In addition, Gilbert/AFAR grantees are expected to attend a special session prior to the grantee conference.

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation

The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation (www.thegilbertfoundation.org) invests in programs in the areas of College Access, Healthcare and Israel. In addition, the Foundation funds Arts Education & Culture in Los Angeles, Jewish Programs in Los Angeles, and Universities in California.

In the area of Alzheimer's disease, The Rosalinde and Arthur Gilbert Foundation focuses its grantmaking on the advancement of research by junior investigators in the United States and Israel and investments in Alzheimer's disease caregiver resources and support.

Complete listing of all AFAR Selection Committees.

Listing of all AFAR Award Recipients.

Back to the List of Grants and Applications