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Part the Cloud Translational Gene Targeting Challenge

Alzheimer’s Association

About the Part the Cloud Translational Gene Targeting Challenge

Part the Cloud (PTC), a program through the Alzheimer's Association, announces a targeted challenge funding program focused on increasing early phase human trials (Phase 1 and Phase 2) of potential therapies tailored to the genetic underpinnings of Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias internationally.

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

Potential themes

This new grant mechanism aims to fill the gap in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia clinical trials for advancing potential gene targeting (this could be anything that changes gene or gene produce expression) therapeutics forward by providing support for early phase studies (Phase 1 and Phase 2).

Funding and award period

Each grant is limited to $1,000,000 (direct and indirect costs) for Phase 1 studies and $2,000,000 for Phase 2 studies 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 organizaions.

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

Applications will be accepted from academic investigators and small companies with lead candidate therapeutic agents that require early stage testing prior (Phase 1) to Proof of Concept (POC) Phase 2 or 3 efficacy studies, or with lead therapeutic agents that have already established human safety data and require a small-scale pilot Proof of Mechanism (POM) study in humans to begin proving the scientific concept in humans. This award will support Phase 1 studies or pilot small- scale Phase 2a studies for new or repurposed drugs in cognitively impaired individuals or individuals with asymptomatic, early stage, or Alzheimer’s and related dementia (i.e. early human studies to set the stage for efficacy studies), including single and multiple dose studies to establish safety, brain penetration and/or target engagement and POM in preparation for larger proof of concept trials. The funding request should focus on the human clinical trial component. Outcomes proposed should be in line with Phase 1 or Phase 2 study being proposed (i.e. safety, tolerability, dosage); proposals should not have efficacy as the primary outcome, and should have clear Go/No Go criteria for advancing to the next stage of development. It is recognized that these studies are a necessary step to the larger efficacy study, so proposals may include those measures as exploratory or as secondary outcomes. The application must make a case as to how the data from the current study will inform the future trial. Specific to this challenge, we encourage applicants to consult FDA guidance on cellular and gene therapies when designing their trials. Any proposal must have a clear focus on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias and be translational in nature. All proposals should clearly and explicitly outline the measure to be investigated, the methods for study, the study population, and outcomes. Researchers from underrepresented groups are encouraged to apply.

Studies funded by Part the Cloud with results justifying further development (e.g. Phase 2b, or 3) may be eligible to apply to the Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials Consortium (ACTC) (U24 AG057437). ACTC provides comprehensive infrastructure and expertise on ADRD clinical trials. ACTC and the proposer will work in collaboration to develop a grant application to National Institute on Aging, NIH. If funded, ACTC will conduct the trial. Mentorship and Principal Investigator training in Alzheimer’s Clinical Trials is provided by ACTC. Read more at: https://www.actcinfo.org/submit-a-proposal.

Eligibility: Both non-profit and small for-profit organizations are eligible. Small for-profit organizations must submit documentation of net assets and annual earnings during the letter of intent process as a part of the review process. Not-for-profit organizations must submit documentation verifying status during the letter of intent process.

International applicants are welcome. 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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