NINDS Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias Advanced Postdoctoral Career Transition Award (K99/R00)

STATUS: EXPIRED (as of March 13, 2026). Limited case-by-case acceptance may apply; contact eRA Service Desk.

Research Focus

This award supports postdoctoral researchers transitioning to independent, tenure-track faculty positions in Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD) research. The program targets biomedical research across the ADRD spectrum—including Lewy body dementias (LBD), vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia (VCID), frontotemporal dementia (FTD), and multiple etiology dementias (MED)—at pre-symptomatic, early symptomatic, and dementia stages. Eligible research areas span basic and clinical studies of biological mechanisms (molecular, cellular, systems levels), translational/preclinical studies of therapeutic targets, clinical studies refining diagnosis and biomarkers, and health equity research in ADRD. The award responds to a critical need identified in the 2022 NINDS ADRD Summit to expand the workforce of trained researchers and health professionals in cognitive impairment and dementia diagnosis, care, and research.

At-a-Glance

• Who can apply: Postdoctoral researchers with ≤4 years postdoctoral experience in mentored positions; no independent clinical trials as lead investigator (mentored trial participation permitted)
• Funding & duration: Two phases—K99 (up to 2 years mentored training) + R00 (up to 3 years independent research); total up to 5 years
• Award mechanism: K99/R00 Career Transition Award
• Key dates: Application deadlines on October 12, 2024 and subsequent quarterly dates through June 2027; earliest start July 2025; program expired March 13, 2026
• Best fit for: Early-career neuroscientists, clinicians, and translational researchers in dementia biology, biomarkers, mechanisms, or clinical outcomes seeking faculty independence