NINDS Alzheimers Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

The NINDS Alzheimer’s Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD) Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (K99/R00) is a specialized funding initiative by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, specifically through the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and more precisely under the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) and the National Institute on Aging (NIA). This program is rooted in the objectives of the National Alzheimer's Project Act (NAPA), which outlines a national strategy for combating Alzheimer's Disease and AD-Related Dementias through research, care improvement, and public awareness. To implement NAPA goals, the NIH regularly hosts research summits that identify and prioritize areas of investment, including the development of a robust scientific workforce dedicated to addressing ADRDs. The K99/R00 mechanism facilitates the transition of promising postdoctoral researchers from mentored training to independent research careers in the ADRD field. The award spans up to five years, divided into two phases: the mentored K99 phase (up to two years) and the independent R00 phase (up to three years). Applicants must be in mentored, postdoctoral roles and have no more than four years of postdoctoral research experience at the time of application. Importantly, applicants cannot have held independent research positions previously. The program is designed to support candidates who require additional mentored training before transitioning to tenure-track or equivalent positions. This NOFO specifically excludes independent clinical trials. However, candidates may participate in clinical trials led by mentors or co-mentors. The program supports a broad range of research areas, including basic science, translational research, biomarker development, and health equity within ADRD. Priority areas include studies on Lewy Body Dementias, Frontotemporal Dementia, Vascular Contributions to Cognitive Impairment and Dementia, and Multiple Etiology Dementias. The funding supports the development of rigorous, innovative research that aligns with NIH’s mission and addresses gaps identified in recent ADRD research summits. In terms of funding, the mentored K99 phase provides up to $75,000 annually for salary support (up to $125,000 for licensed medical professionals), plus $20,000 in research support. The R00 phase offers up to $249,000 per year in total costs, including salary, fringe, and indirect costs. Recipients must commit at least 75% of their full-time effort to research (6 person-months for neurosurgeons). Institutional environments must demonstrate strong research and mentorship capacity in ADRD. Mentors must affirm the candidate’s project independence and ensure non-competition for the proposed research. The opportunity follows NIH’s standard application cycles with submission deadlines three times annually—February 12, June 12, and October 12—and corresponding review and award dates. The earliest submission date for this funding round is September 12, 2024. The program accepts new and resubmission applications and remains open until January 22, 2026, following a change notice. Applications must conform to the NIH’s rigorous standards for career development grants, including specific formatting, required components, and submission through approved platforms such as ASSIST or Grants.gov. Applicants are encouraged to consult NIH program staff before submission to ensure their application aligns with program goals. Program contacts include Dr. Amber McCartney (NINDS) and Dr. Jamie Lahvic (NIA), who provide guidance on eligibility and appropriateness of proposed projects. Prospective applicants should also be mindful of the application preparation complexity, including assembling letters of support, detailed career development plans, mentor agreements, and institutional commitment letters.

Consult with NIH staff before applying; clearly delineate independence from mentor’s research program; ensure robust RCR training plan.