Data / Federal grants / RFA-NS-26-034
Functional Target Validation for Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias
National Institutes of Health (Department of Health and Human Services) expects to post this opportunity around May 5, 2026, with applications due around November 6, 2026. It lists 2 awards expected, $1.8 million in total.
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Key facts
- Opportunity number
- RFA-NS-26-034
- Status
- Forecast
- Posted
- March 11, 2026
- Closes
- November 6, 2026
- Expected awards
- 2
- Total funding
- $1,800,000
- Cost sharing
- Not required
- Funding instrument
- Grant
- Category
- Health
- Assistance listing
- 93.853 Extramural Research Programs in the Neurosciences and Neurological Disorders
- Contact
- NINDS DTR ADRD · [email protected] · Please contact via e-mail
Who can apply
- Small businesses
- Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized)
- Private institutions of higher education
- State governments
- Special district governments
- For profit organizations other than small businesses
- Public and State controlled institutions of higher education
- Independent school districts
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits that do not have a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits having a 501(c)(3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education
- Others (see text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility" for clarification)
- Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- County governments
- City or township governments
Other Eligible ApplicantsIndian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized);Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government;U.S. Territory or Possession;Faith-based or Community-based Organizations;Regional Organizations;Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are not allowed
What the agency says
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is interested in supporting ambitious research projects that propose comprehensive functional validation of newly identified therapeutic target candidates for Alzheimer’s Disease–Related Dementias (ADRD). A major barrier to the development of effective treatments for ADRD, as well as other complex central nervous system disorders, is the lack of well-validated targets that are clearly linked to disease mechanisms. Successful translation of basic discoveries into the clinic depends on the rigor of target validation and confidence in a causal relationship between modulation of a target and its functional physiological consequences relevant to treating or preventing disease. This initiative aims to de-risk subsequent translational research and accelerate the development of novel therapeutic strategies. NINDS believes that this initiative would be most appropriately supported by a phased award mechanism (for example, R61/R33). In the initial phase, support would be provided for the development of customized technologies, models, and protocols to modulate the expression or activity of candidate targets and to assess their physiological consequences in relevant in vitro and in vivo disease models. Upon successful achievement of predefined, milestone-based technical feasibility and proof-of-concept criteria, projects would transition to the second phase focused on measuring and cross-validating the effects of target modulation across multiple experimental modalities and collaborating laboratories, in accordance with NIH rigor and reproducibility guidelines. Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop responsive projects and establish appropriate cross-disciplinary collaborations.
Other open grants from the Department of Health and Human Services
| Opportunity | Status | Closes | Award ceiling | Total funding | Record |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Long-term health outcomes of people living with spina bifida CDC-RFA-DD-26-0222 | Open | Oct 26 | $300,000 | $3,000,000 | grants.gov |
| GREGoRi Data Coordination and Outreach Center (U01, Clinical Trials Not Allowed) RFA-HG-27-011 | Open | Oct 30 | $1,250,000 | $2,000,000 | grants.gov |
| GREGoRi Innovation Projects (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) RFA-HG-27-013 | Open | Oct 30 | $500,000 | $7,500,000 | grants.gov |
| GREGoRi Technology Integration Center (U01, Clinical Trials Optional) RFA-HG-27-012 | Open | Oct 30 | $2,250,000 | $3,000,000 | grants.gov |
| HEAL Initiative: Whole Joint Health Program (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Required) PAR-27-045 | Open | Oct 30 | grants.gov | ||
| Clinical Observational (CO) Studies in Musculoskeletal, Rheumatic, and Skin Diseases (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) PAR-24-280 | Open | Nov 2 | grants.gov |
All grants open to Small businesses · All grants open to Tribal governments · All grants open to Private colleges and universities · Everything closing in November 2026
Read from the Grants.gov API, last updated 2026-10-23. The agency's notice on Grants.gov is the official record; check it before you apply.