Objective:
The Alzheimer’s Association and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research are launching the Bridge Funding for Disrupted Neurodegenerative Research (BFDN) grant program.
U.S. federal government-sponsored research funding has experienced a series of changes that challenges ongoing research initiatives and the future of the U.S. biomedical research enterprise. Maintaining continuity of funding for these projects enables further scientific progress and is critical to millions of Americans affected by Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and other neurodegenerative disorders and age-related causes of dementia — and millions more who may be affected by these diseases in the future, as rates for neurological disease are increasing around the world and expected to double as age is the biggest risk factor.
Recent advances in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disorders research show tremendous promise, and ensuring funding for priority research grants is vital for investigators to effectively and efficiently perform life-saving research and carry- out public health programs toward better health outcomes for the United States — and the world.
As the world’s largest nonprofit funders with a shared commitment and purpose to deliver better treatments and a cure for (respectively) Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and related disorders, the Alzheimer’s Association and The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research are launching the Bridge Funding for Disrupted Neurodegenerative Research (BFDN) grant program. The Alzheimer’s Association has partnered with the Robertson Foundation to support this unique funding program.
This program specifically aims to 1) ensure support for early career researchers (based on NIH definition), who have not yet had the opportunity to fully establish their labs and position their projects for ongoing funding, and 2) provide bridge or interim funding for salary and other direct costs for research projects focused on Alzheimer’s disease, Frontotemporal Dementia, Parkinson’s disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, atypical Parkinson's and/or other related disorders that have been impacted by a series of changes at NIH.
Funding and award period:
Principal investigators may apply for bridge funding spanning 3 to 12 months for U.S. and international projects impacted by changes in the NIH. Specific streams of funding include:
- Delayed Review: Projects stalled due to NIH review process delays.
- Termination: Laboratories whose NIH grants have been terminated due to changes in funding priorities and/or area of interest and are seeking other permanent funding.
- Priority Misalignment: Projects that no longer fit NIH focus areas requiring redirection to align with reframing to reflect adjusted priorities and areas of interest.
- Gaps: Previously funded projects awaiting reapproval under new criteria.
- Personnel Continuity: Salary support for key personnel due to changes in project timelines.