Exposomic Contributions to ADRD Pathology and Resilience
Can you apply?
This grant is for research institutions and investigators studying how environmental exposures contribute to Alzheimer's disease-related dementias. Eligible applicants typically include universities, medical research centers, and NIH-qualified research organizations with neurological expertise. The program supports mechanistic, translational, and human subjects research but excludes clinical trials. Applicants should have expertise in exposomics, environmental neuroscience, ADRD mechanisms, and health disparities research.
Key dates
- Mar 11, 2026 Applications open
- Oct 5, 2026 Application deadline in 126 days
- Jun 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jul 1, 2027 Project start
This grant is for research institutions and investigators studying how environmental exposures contribute to Alzheimer's disease-related dementias. Eligible applicants typically include universities, medical research centers, and NIH-qualified research organizations with neurological expertise. The program supports mechanistic, translational, and human subjects research but excludes clinical trials. Applicants should have expertise in exposomics, environmental neuroscience, ADRD mechanisms, and health disparities research.
Program description
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is interested in supporting research projects that investigate how specific neural exposome factors contribute mechanistically to Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD) pathology and resilience. For the purposes of this program, exposome factors of interest include, but are not limited to, environmental toxins, sleep and circadian rhythms, stress, and the real-world conditions that modulate them (e.g., light, noise, heat).
Applications will be expected to propose research on the synergistic action between multiple exposome factors, and the composite effects of mixtures of exposome factors on neural mechanisms relevant to ADRD. Applicants are encouraged to focus on mechanistic pathways (e.g., microbiome–brain interactions, neuroimmune signaling, epigenetic modifications) that link exposures to ADRD risk, progression, and resilience. Applicants are further encouraged to consider studies that cover the lifespan, including work that investigates critical or sensitive periods of exposure or factors that may lead to neurological health disparities. Applicants may propose mechanistic, translational, and/or human subjects research, drawing on clinical data, human samples, and observational or interventional studies. However, NIH-defined clinical trials will not be supported under this program.
Applications are not currently being solicited. Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive projects. Investigative teams with expertise in exposomics and environmental neuroscience, community engagement, ADRD mechanisms, and non-medical factors that may lead to health disparities are encouraged to apply.
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
Details
This grant is for research institutions and investigators studying how environmental exposures contribute to Alzheimer's disease-related dementias. Eligible applicants typically include universities, medical research centers, and NIH-qualified research organizations with neurological expertise. The program supports mechanistic, translational, and human subjects research but excludes clinical trials. Applicants should have expertise in exposomics, environmental neuroscience, ADRD mechanisms, and health disparities research.
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) form
- Project Narrative
- Specific Aims
- Research Strategy (including significance, innovation, approach)
- Budget and Budget Narrative
- Biographical sketches (senior key personnel)
- Current and Pending Support
- Facilities and Resources
Program contact
- 👤 NINDS Office of Neural Exposome and Toxicology and NINDS Office of Global Health and Health Disparities
- 📧 NINDSONETOX@ninds.nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail.
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.853 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
-
$82,511,281
-
$67,362,785
-
$62,646,087
-
$56,144,651
-
$45,268,737
-
$40,959,789
-
$35,655,349
-
$35,655,116
-
$35,335,145
-
$34,183,297
Top States by Funding
- MA 6 awards $186.5M
- CA 4 awards $129.9M
- OH 4 awards $112.5M
- FL 3 awards $100.3M
- MN 2 awards $99.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.853). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $2,362,835,459 | |
| 2025 | $2,345,500,401 |
FAQ
Who can apply for this grant?
Research institutions, universities, and nonprofit research organizations with the capacity to conduct neuroscience research. Individual researchers should apply through an eligible institution.
What types of research are supported?
Mechanistic studies of how environmental exposures (toxins, sleep, stress, light, noise) affect Alzheimer's disease risk and resilience. Translational and human subjects research are eligible, but clinical trials are not supported.
Are there specific research focuses encouraged?
Yes. The program emphasizes synergistic effects of multiple exposome factors, mechanistic pathways (microbiome-brain, neuroimmune), lifespan studies, and research on health disparities.
What is the application deadline?
The deadline is October 5, 2026. Applications are not currently being solicited, but potential applicants should begin developing collaborations now.
Can I study just one environmental factor?
No. Applications must propose research on synergistic or composite effects of multiple exposome factors on neural mechanisms related to ADRD.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Assemble a multidisciplinary team with expertise in exposomics, neuroscience, community engagement, and health disparities. Reviewers expect collaborative proposals.
- Focus on mechanistic pathways that connect exposures to ADRD outcomes. Descriptive studies identifying exposures alone are less competitive.
- Use this planning period (before October 2026) to establish community partnerships and preliminary data. Strong preliminary evidence increases competitiveness.
- Consider lifespan and critical exposure windows in your research design. Studies examining vulnerable populations strengthen ADRD health disparities focus.
- Avoid proposing clinical trials or drug development. This program funds basic and translational mechanism research, not clinical interventions.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing single-factor exposure studies instead of synergistic or mixture-based approaches. Reviewing applications expect interactions between multiple exposome factors. Failing to articulate clear mechanistic pathways linking exposures to ADRD pathology. Attempting to include clinical trial components when the program explicitly excludes them.
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