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Part the Cloud Enable the Molecule for Therapeutics (PTC-EMT) Funding Program

Alzheimer’s Association

About the Part the Cloud Enable the Molecule for Therapeutics Funding Program

The Alzheimer's Association is pleased to announce a new funding initiative: "Part the Cloud - Enable the Molecule for Therapeutics Program" (PTC-EMT). The PTC-EMT program is designed to advance promising Alzheimer's and related disorders therapeutics through final stages of investigational new drug (IND) -enabling stages. This initiative supports high-potential therapeutic candidates, providing essential resources to expedite their translation into clinical application for Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

This grant is open to U.S. and international researchers.

About the Part the Cloud Enable the Molecule for Therapeutics Funding Program

Grant RFA

View program objectives, eligibility, submission process and more.

Download the RFA

Grant Application

Apply for the PTC Gene Targeting Challenge research grant by submitting your LOI through the ProposalCentral website. Registration is required.

Apply Now

Background

Alzheimer's disease (AD) represents one of the most pressing public health challenges
worldwide, currently affecting more than 55 million individuals and expected to dramatically
increase in prevalence in coming decades. Alzheimer's is characterized by progressive
cognitive decline, synaptic dysfunction, neuronal loss, and accumulation of pathological protein
aggregates, primarily amyloid-beta plaques and tau neurofibrillary tangles. Despite extensive
research efforts, available treatments provide limited symptomatic relief without significantly
altering disease progression.

Recent advances in understanding Alzheimer's pathology, genetics, and molecular pathways
have paved the way for novel therapeutic approaches. Innovative small molecule therapeutics,
biologics, and gene-editing strategies targeting fundamental disease mechanisms show
promising disease-targeted therapies (DTT) or disease-modifying therapies (DMT) potential.
However, the complex nature of Alzheimer's disease pathology and the rigorous regulatory
requirements necessitate comprehensive preclinical evaluation to ensure efficacy, safety, and
clinical relevance before entering clinical trials. The transition from preclinical discovery through
lead optimization and IND-enabling studies often stalls due to resource limitations, technical
challenges, and inadequate funding.

The Alzheimer’s Association Part the Cloud is a movement, founded in 2012 by philanthropist
and leader Michaela “Mikey” Hoag, to accelerate therapeutic discovery and advancement.
Mikey’s vision was to increase the “shots on goal”, moving research advances from the
discovery phase into clinical trials, with potential to serve as therapies for those facing
Alzheimer’s and other diseases by overcoming the transition of academic research discovery to
clinical trial acceleration. The PTC-EMT program continues in this mission, identifying key
funding gaps to move scientific discovery faster and closer to the clinic. This funding program
aims to identify, overcome and fund the final stages of studies necessary to move exciting
compounds through the IND-Enabling Stage of drug discovery. The IND-Enabling Stage
includes comprehensive studies required to support an Investigational New Drug (IND)
application, including pharmacology, toxicology, biodistribution, formulation, and manufacturing
scale-up.

By strategically supporting critical stages of drug development, the Alzheimer's Association
intends to expedite the transition of novel therapeutic candidates toward clinical trials, ultimately
aiming to improve clinical outcomes for patients affected by Alzheimer's and related dementias.

Potential themes and areas of focus

The Part the Cloud–Enable the Molecule for Therapeutics (PTC-EMT) program is specifically designed to support therapeutic development for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) at the IND-enabling stage of drug development. This critical phase bridges advanced preclinical work with entry into first-in-human clinical trials.

Projects considered for this program must involve rigorously characterized therapeutic candidates that have demonstrated strong potential in disease-relevant models and are poised to initiate IND-enabling studies necessary for regulatory submission

Entry criteria

Applicants must demonstrate that their therapeutic candidate meets the following prerequisites:

A well-defined, optimized clinical candidate with demonstrated efficacy in validated in vivo models of Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias, supported by a well-characterized pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) relationship, including defined free brain concentrations that correlate with both in vivo efficacy and in vitro potency at the target site.
Completed or near-complete in vitro pharmacology and preliminary toxicology data, including selectivity screens for potential off-target activity.
A finalized Target Product Profile (TPP), clearly outlining the proposed clinical therapeutic objective, target patient population, and intended route of administration, accompanied by a topline clinical development plan to guide progression toward clinical testing.
A clear intellectual property (IP) strategy, including current patent status, freedom to operate, and any potential constraints.
Optional: Established nonclinical formulation with supporting data on stability and manufacturability.

Supported activities include but are not limited to, and should preferably include the following as appropriate for the stage of development:

IND-enabling Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) toxicology studies in both rodent and non-rodent species.
Pharmacokinetics (PK), pharmacodynamics (PD), and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) assessments across appropriate species, with the understanding that foundational PK, ADME, and PK/PD correlation in the species used for efficacy studies should already be established at entry.
Nonclinical studies evaluating safety, tolerability, and biodistribution.
Development of cGMP-compliant manufacturing processes and scale-up activities, as appropriate to the stage of development.
Formulation optimization and stability testing for human administration.
Preparation of regulatory documentation, including Investigator Brochures, IND dossiers, and support for FDA interactions (e.g., pre-IND meetings).

Therapeutic mechanismsAll therapeutic modalities will be considered, including but not limited to small molecules, PROTACs, antibodies, antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs), gene therapies, and other novel biologics. Applications may target a wide range of validated or emerging disease mechanisms relevant to Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias, such as amyloid, tau, neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction, or other neurodegenerative pathways. Only approaches with the potential for disease modification will be considered; symptomatic treatments without disease-modifying potential are not within the scope of this RFA.

Applicants should clearly specify the entry point for their proposed project within the IND-enabling timeline and provide a well-justified rationale for how the proposed work will directly support clinical advancement. Funded projects must remain strictly within the IND-enabling stage; applications that include activities from earlier discovery phases or later clinical trials will not be considered.

Funding and award period

Each grant is limited to up to $1,000,000 (direct and indirect costs) over two or three years. Indirect costs are only allowed for not-for-profit institutions, and are capped at 10 percent (rent for laboratory/office space is expected to be covered by indirect costs paid to the institution). No indirect costs are allowed for profit organizations. Note, budgets will be evaluated for the type of study proposed to ensure it is right sized within the allowable budget to the needs of the project.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🎯 1. Focus on Novel, Translational Science

Prioritize projects that translate into patient impact: 

Basic science with potential for treatment, early detection, or prevention strategies

Discovery grants that leverage shared models and data (e.g., MODEL‑AD) and collaborate across disciplines

🌍 2. Support for Diversity & Health Equity

The Association emphasizes inclusivity across both workforce and research populations

Programs like Research Grant New to Field to Promote Diversity (AARG‑D) provide ~$200K to underrepresented early-career researchers

Over 10% of funded projects address health disparities, policy, or ethics in dementia care

📊 3. Multi-Stage Peer Review & Competitive Rates

High-volume intake (~1,467 LOIs, 984 full proposals in 2024 with ~650 reviewers from 29 countries)

Uses two-tier review: LOI followed by invitation to full application. Only the most competitive advance.

🗓 4. Pathway Funding Across Career Stages & Themes

Offers a broad funding spectrum:

International Research Grants for career-spanning basic-to-care studies

Initiative-specific grants: ALZ-RWD (real-world data), WW-FINGERS (prevention network), Gene Targeting Challenge, and dementia care (e.g., Center for Dementia Respite Innovation)

🔗 5. Collaboration & Data Leverage

Projects built on shared models, datasets, or platforms (e.g., AD Knowledge Portal, ALZ-NET) are strongly encouraged

Emphasis on multidisciplinary teams using big data, biomarkers, imaging, or clinical cohorts

💡 6. Innovation & Risk

Opportunities like the Gene Targeting Challenge focus on early-stage, bold interventions for novel genetic targets

✅ Summary Table

Predictor	What to Convey in Your Application
Translational potential	Tie basic findings to diagnostics, prevention, or treatment
Use of shared models/data	Leverage MODEL‑AD, AD Knowledge Portal, ALZ‑NET, etc.
Commitment to diversity	Highlight team or population inclusion and diversity
Budget clarity & LOI strength	Craft strong LOI; follow multi-stage guidance
Team & collaboration	Highlight multi-disciplinarity and platform reach
Focus on equity topics	Align with HPE‑ADRD and other disparity-focused areas

🛠 Recommendations for Applicants

Start with a strong LOI—make it novel, feasible, and platform-linked.

Emphasize the translational pathway—e.g., how your project could affect early detection, prevention, or care.

Connect with shared resources—indicate how you will use shared models, data platforms, or networks.

Support diversity—as PI, team member, population focus, or health disparity dimension.

Select the right mechanism—e.g., ALZ‑RWD for real-world data, Gene Targeting for genetic innovation, or AARG‑D for diversity-enhancing proposals.

Prepare for competitive, multi-stage review—LOI → invitation → full application. Address feedback and align tightly with priorities.

Specialties

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility for this program extends to investigators from both non-profit academic institutions and small for-profit companies, with special consideration given to small businesses employing fewer than 50 staff members. Applicants are required to clearly demonstrate their organizational status by providing relevant documentation. The project's Principal Investigator (PI) must hold a full-time, paid position at the applying institution or organization; if the PI does not hold a salaried position, clear evidence must be provided demonstrating their formal affiliation and active employment within the organization. Proposals submitted by postdoctoral researchers or individuals in non-permanent roles will not be considered. For additional eligibility clarifications or specific questions, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association at grantsapp@alz.org.

Applications will be accepted from organizations conducting studies around the world. Researchers with full-time staff or faculty appointments are encouraged to apply. Applications from post- doctoral candidates will not be accepted. For questions as to whether an investigator or organization is eligible, please contact the Alzheimer’s Association at grantsapp@alz.org.

Note: Alzheimer’s Association grants are generally open to scientists and researchers across the globe; however, as a U.S.-based charity, the Alzheimer’s Association is subject to, and complies with, U.S. law. As a result, the Alzheimer’s Association cannot award, and will not award, grants in violation of applicable U.S. statutes and regulations. This means, among other things, that the Alzheimer’s Association cannot, and will not, fund any individual or entity (i) that is subject to U.S. comprehensive or targeted sanctions or if awarding funding would result in a violation of such sanctions, (ii) that is on the U.S. List of Specially Designated Nationals or entities owned or controlled by such persons, or (iii) when doing so is otherwise prohibited by U.S. laws related to combating terrorism.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Alzheimer’s Association

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 225 N Michigan Ave. Floor 17 Chicago, IL 60601 800.272.3900

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