Translational Center for Accelerating the Use of Digital Health Technologies Data in AD/ADRD Research
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Oct 7, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for research centers and consortia focused on accelerating digital health technology adoption in Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (AD/ADRD) research. Eligible applicants typically include research institutions, universities, medical centers, and established research organizations with demonstrated capacity in clinical research, data science, and digital health. The program supports translational research centers that bridge the gap between technological innovation and clinical application in dementia research, emphasizing multi-disciplinary collaboration. Geographic scope is nationwide, and applicants should have institutional infrastructure to support a center of excellence with strong partnerships and data-sharing capabilities. The grant supports activities including technology evaluation, data harmonization, methodology development, and training of the next generation of AD/ADRD researchers in digital health applications.
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Key dates
- Sep 3, 2025 Applications open
- May 25, 2026 Application deadline
- Apr 25, 2027 Award announced
- Apr 25, 2027 Project start
Program description
The National Institute on Aging (NIA) intends to publish a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) that aims to establish a multi-component Translational Center for Accelerating the Use of Digital Health Technologies (DHT) Data in Alzheimer’s Disease (AD) and AD-Related Dementias (ADRD) research. The purpose of the Center is to develop infrastructure, methods, and best practices for hosting, discovering, accessing, disseminating, and integrating multi-modal, legacy, and new DHT data, and accelerate their (re)use in translational and clinical AD/ADRD research. To this end, the Center will establish a DHT data repository as a cloud-based; federated; Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable (FAIR) data infrastructure for the secure storage, processing, dissemination, analysis, and multi-modal integration of legacy and new DHT data generated by AD/ADRD studies supported by NIH and other funding organizations.
Applications are not being solicited at this time. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. This NOFO intends to utilize the U54 activity code. Investigators with expertise and insights into this area of aging research are encouraged to begin to consider applying for this new NOFO.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
- 501(c)(3) Public Charity
- City / Municipal Government
- County Government
- Nonprofits
- Private University
- Public Authority
- Public K-12 School
- Public University
- Small Business (SBA-defined)
- Special District
- State Government
- Tribal Nation
- Tribal Organization
Demographic focus
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- NIH Application Form (SF-424 or equivalent electronic submission)
- Project Narrative/Research Plan (detailed description of center mission, research focus, and translational goals)
- Detailed Budget and Budget Justification (typically multi-year for center awards)
- Institutional Commitment Letters (from all partner organizations confirming resources and administrative support)
- Letters of Support from key collaborators, technology partners, or clinical sites
- Organizational and Management Plans (governance structure, roles, leadership for the center)
- Data Management and Sharing Plans (how digital health data will be managed, harmonized, and shared)
- Preliminary Data or Feasibility Demonstrations
- Biographical Sketches of key personnel (NIH format)
- IRB/Ethics Approvals or plans for human subjects research involving digital health technologies
Program contact
- 👤 Nadezda Radoja, Ph.D.
- 📧 nadezda.radoja@nih.gov
- 📞 240-447-1938
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.866 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$463,372,200
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$199,819,363
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$198,364,987
-
$169,422,678
-
$148,130,300
-
$113,990,692
-
$109,670,101
-
$108,778,286
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$102,150,671
-
$89,954,729
Top States by Funding
- CA 12 awards $945.5M
- MI 2 awards $528.1M
- MO 8 awards $476.4M
- IN 4 awards $328.1M
- PA 6 awards $323.7M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.866). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $3,746,886,731 | |
| 2025 | $3,777,464,644 | |
| 2026 est. | $261,814,471 |
FAQ
What organizations are eligible to apply for this grant?
Research institutions, universities, medical centers, and 501(c)(3) organizations with substantial research infrastructure and established track records in clinical research or dementia-focused studies are typically eligible. Organizations must demonstrate organizational commitment and capacity to lead a center of excellence.
What type of research activities does this grant support?
Funding supports translational research using digital health technologies in AD/ADRD studies, including development of data harmonization standards, methodology research, feasibility studies, and training programs for researchers in digital health applications.
Are there requirements for collaboration or partnerships?
Yes, centers are expected to be multi-institutional consortia with partnerships across research organizations, clinical sites, technology developers, and academic institutions. Strong collaboration networks are highly valued.
What is the typical funding range for these grants?
Center grants at NIH typically range widely; applicants should check the specific funding opportunity announcement (FOA) for this CFDA number (93.866) for current budget caps and allowable costs.
What is the competitive landscape for this award?
This is a highly competitive federal award targeting experienced research institutions. Success typically requires preliminary data, established expertise in both dementia research and digital health, institutional commitment letters, and strong evidence of feasibility.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Demonstrate preliminary data and proof-of-concept: Show concrete evidence that your center's approaches work through pilot studies or existing collaborations using digital health technologies in AD/ADRD research.
- Build a strong multi-institutional consortium with complementary expertise: Include partners with strengths in clinical dementia research, data science/informatics, digital health technology, and biostatistics to position your center as a comprehensive hub.
- Address data harmonization and interoperability explicitly: Digital health data integration is central to this program—clearly articulate how your center will tackle fragmented data standards and enable data sharing across platforms.
- Emphasize training and workforce development: Include concrete plans for mentoring early-career researchers and disseminating methodologies beyond your institution to advance the field broadly.
- Secure institutional commitment and resources: Provide documentation of dedicated space, administrative support, cost-sharing if required, and sustained institutional funding to demonstrate your organization's long-term commitment to the center.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applicants often fail to adequately describe the translational pathway from technology to clinical implementation, focusing too heavily on technology development rather than real-world clinical adoption barriers. A second common pitfall is underestimating the importance of strong partnership agreements and governance structures—reviewers expect documented collaboration frameworks and clear roles for all consortium members. Finally, many applications lack specificity in data harmonization strategies; vague promises to "make data shareable" without detailed methodology, standards alignment plans, and technical specifications significantly reduce competitiveness.
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