top of page

NOW OPEN: Request for Applications for 2027 Pilot Projects

​

Announcement:

The Alzheimer Diagnosis in older Adults with Chronic Conditions (ADACC) Network is soliciting proposals for pilot projects focused on blood-based biomarker testing for Alzheimer’s disease for older adults with multiple chronic conditions. The goal of this pilot grant program is to support novel discoveries and approaches that advance our understanding, use, and implementation of blood-based biomarkers for Alzheimer’s disease in real-world, diverse populations with complex comorbid disease profiles.

 

As opportunities expand for using blood-based biomarkers to detect Alzheimer’s disease pathology, it is essential to understand their performance, interpretation, and clinical utility across populations with different combinations of chronic conditions. Comorbid conditions may affect biomarker levels, clinical presentation, disease progression, and the meaning of test results. They may also complicate decisions about whether to test, how to communicate results and uncertainty, and how biomarker findings should be weighed alongside symptoms, functional status, patient preferences, overall health, and competing care priorities.

 

Projects should consider not only biomarker performance, but also the broader diagnostic journey, including how patients and their care partners use biomarkers through the diagnostic process, how clinicians determine when testing is appropriate, and how patients and clinicians interpret and use biomarker information to make decisions about diagnosis, treatment, referrals, follow-up care, and future planning. A deeper understanding of these factors will support clinically meaningful and equitable diagnostic strategies, shared decision-making, and personalized interventions that reflect the full health profile, values, and goals of individual patients. Research conducted through this pilot program should help establish how blood-based biomarker information can be incorporated responsibly and effectively into real-world care for older adults with medical complexity.

 

The ADACC Network is a national consortium funded by a NIA grant and composed of investigators from Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, and University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine.

 

This pilot award is open to all levels of faculty and junior faculty at the Assistant Professor level are especially encouraged to apply. Awardees will be granted up to $158,000 in total costs to be administered over the course of a 12-month project.  ​

Pilot Project Guidelines

A successful application will address the following:

  • Assessment of the accuracy, reliability, and interpretation of blood-based biomarker tests in older adults from varied populations who have multiple chronic conditions. 

  • Examination of how specific comorbidities, combinations of conditions, medications, functional status, or other indicators of medical complexity may influence biomarker performance and clinical interpretation.

  • Investigation of the real-world diagnostic journey, including access to evaluation, decisions about whether and when to test, communication of results and uncertainty, referrals, confirmatory testing, treatment decisions, follow-up care, and future planning. 

  • Evaluation of how patients, care partners, and healthcare clinicians understand and use blood-based biomarker information when making decisions, particularly when results must be considered alongside comorbid conditions, competing health priorities, personal preferences, and goals of care.

  • Identification of patient, clinician, health system, and community-level barriers and facilitators affecting the equitable adoption and use of blood-based biomarker testing. 

  • Plans to increase recruitment and enrollment of participants from populations historically underrepresented in Alzheimer’s disease biomarker research, including older adults with multiple chronic conditions. 

  • Innovation in research methods, including quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods approaches. 

  • Inclusion of an investigative team with diverse and complementary expertise, skills, perspectives, and training. 

  • All projects should have a strong and feasible plan for subsequent extramural funding that builds directly on the pilot project’s findings.

 

Application Requirements:

  • Application form (2027 Pilot Application Form: ADACC Network):

    • Title

    • Submitting Investigator

    • Co-Investigator(s) and other key personnel  

    • Abstract (300 words max)

    • Attachments

      • Specific Aims (1 page max)

      • Research Strategy (3 pages max)

    • Plan for addressing Human Subjects Protections (1 page max)

    • References

    • Budget:  the Research and Related Budget Form (OMB Number: 4040-0001) and Budget Justification (no page limit)

    • NIH-style biographical sketch for all project investigators (Biographical Sketch Common Form)

 

Budget Guidelines:

  • Budget start date: 06/01/2027 

  • Total amount awarded: Up to $158,000 in total costs (including F&A)

  • Budget allowances may include salary support for the PI or faculty collaborators (using NIH salary cap), research support personnel (including undergraduate and graduate students), travel necessary to perform the research, small equipment, research supplies, participant incentives, and core lab costs, or other purposes deemed necessary for the successful execution of the proposed project

  • Budget allowances may not include office supplies or communication costs, meals or travel, including conferences (except as research to collect data or attendance at the annual ADACC meeting), professional education or training, or computers or audiovisual equipment, unless fully justified as a need for the research.

  • This funding opportunity cannot be used to support a foreign component or the performance of research activities outside the United States​

​

Awardee Expectations:

  • IRB approval prior to receipt of funding.

  • Certification of Protection of Human Subject’s Research training for Investigator and key personnel prior to receipt of funding.

  • Establish an anticipated project timeline.

  • Create and share annual progress reports, including a comprehensive final report.

  • Present and disseminate research findings at annual ADACC meeting.

 

Required Disclosure/Deliverables:

  • Extramural funding sought and received.

  • Dissemination of pilot study results at meetings and manuscripts.

  • Any publications made in relation to the pilot study.

  • Data collected using pilot funds will be provided to ADACC Data Coordinating Center.

 

Key Dates:

  • Application deadline: 01/04/2027

  • Selection of finalists who will meet with the ADACC Pilot Studies sub-committee: 02/22/2027 - 04/02/2027

  • Selection of awardees date: 04/16/2027

  • Project start date: 06/01/2027

  • Project end date: 05/31/2028 (No Cost Extensions will be considered on a case-by-case basis)

 

How to Apply:

 

Contact:

  • If you have any additional questions or need assistance with the application process please contact ADACC_Network@wfusm.edu.  

​​

bottom of page