Program for Global Real-World Data Platforms (ALZ-RWD)

Eligibility

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.

In order to be eligible for ALZ-RWD funding, proposals must 

● Support the infrastructure, data and / or impact of a RWD platform that 
○ Has, or plans to have, international, national or significant regional reach 
○ Houses, or aims to house, data collected in real-world settings on patient health status and healthcare; including, for example, data from patient surveys, electronic health records (EHRs), administrative claims, digital health technologies and / or other sources NOTE: Studies conducted solely in research-settings are not eligible for funding through this program. 
○ Comprises a physician or patient registry, or a cohort study; clinical trial databases are not eligible for this funding program 

● Enhance alignment and collaboration between global platforms, including with ALZ-NET 
○ Please note, the Association requires data sharing / connection (in line with international sharing laws) through GAAIN (gaain.org) 
○ The ALZ-RWD funding program aims to complement ALZ-NET International - an initiative of the Alzheimer’s Association to convene global RWD platforms. Interested applicants are encouraged to email grantsapp@alz.org for the latest information on activities and opportunities prior to any application 

● Have the potential to advance health equity 
○ For example, by ensuring that the platform’s population is representative of a defined community 

● Include a Principal Investigator who is a full-time faculty member or full-time paid employee of the organization submitting the proposal.

Summary

Program overview

In late 2021, the Alzheimer’s Association launched the Alzheimer’s Network for Treatment and Diagnostics (ALZ-NET) to connect clinical data from Alzheimer’s patients to a network of medical professionals and researchers to encourage robust information sharing and education, and to drive innovation in the ways we care for and treat Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia. To build on the global momentum in this field, the ALZ-RWD funding program aims to advance RWD by providing funds to develop, expand, and align RWD platforms’ infrastructure, data and impact globally. 

Potential projects will differ depending upon the specific aims and stage of development of the individual RWD platform. Eligible projects should relate to the following areas of focus, but other projects will be considered:

• Platform development (e.g., feasibility studies)
• Platform expansion (e.g., the addition of modules to existing platforms in order to collect RWD on newly-approved treatments)
• Platform utilization (e.g., site start-up payments to incentivize platform utilization, or the production of educational materials)
• Data collection (e.g., the addition of remote data collection or biomarker assessments, salaries for technical staff)
• Data integration and linking (e.g., with electronic health records)
• Data analysis and publication (e.g., research studies)

For all applications, priority will be given to proposals that enhance harmonization and collaboration across global platforms and have the potential to advance health equity (e.g., support ensures that a platform’s population is representative of a defined community).

Program objective

The collection of Real-World Data (RWD) is integral to the discovery, evaluation and evolution of novel avenues for the diagnosis, prevention, treatment and care of Alzheimer’s and other dementia. Furthermore, RWD can play a key role in the identification and understanding of health disparities, and the subsequent development and implementation of initiatives to advance health equity.
 
RWD platforms house data on patient health status and health care collected within real-world settings. To support the advancement of and opportunities for RWD platforms, the Alzheimer’s Association is launching a peer-reviewed funding program to augment and accelerate global initiatives aimed at developing, expanding and aligning RWD platforms’ infrastructure, data and impact.

Grant RFA

View program objectives, eligibility, submission process and more.

Download the RFA

Pre-submission Inquiry Survey

Pre-submission inquiries must be submitted by January 1, 2026 to be considered for this round of funding. Surveys will be reviewed by the Alzheimer’s Association. Those who meet the program objectives will be invited to submit full applications.

Overhead

Indirect costs are not supported.

Pre-application deadlines

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

SUBMISSION PROCESS

All applicants must first complete the Pre-Submission Inquiry Survey (See 5.2). If submissions are approved, the Applicant will receive information to submit a full application through Proposal Central. Pre-Submission Inquiry Surveys completed by January 1, 2026, will be considered for this round of invited proposals. 

The timeline is outlined below: 

● The Pre-Submission Inquiry Survey can be completed at any time. 
● Submission of full applications will open: December 1, 2025 (ProposalCentral.com) 
● Application Deadline: January 28, 2026 
● Application Review: February – June 2026 
● Award Notifications by July 31, 2026 For those invited to submit a full application, the full application must be received by 5:00 PM EST, February 2, 2026. Applications will not be accepted after this date. No exceptions will be made. No hard copies or emails will be accepted. 

Award announcements will be made by July 31, 2026. For more information contact grantsapp@alz.org

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application