VCU’s Virginia Center for Aging seeks applicants for Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases Research Award Fund

By Mike Porter

Virginia Commonwealth University’s Virginia Center for Aging is accepting grant applications through April 1 for the Alzheimer’s and Related Diseases Research Award Fund (ARDRAF).  

The fund promotes Alzheimer’s and related disorders research involving the causes, diagnosis and treatment of the disease, public policy on care and support programs and impact studies on the effects the disease has on individuals, families and communities. The fund was established by the Virginia General Assembly in 1982.

Applicants must be affiliated with colleges or universities, research institutions or other not-for-profit organizations in Virginia. Applicants must submit a nonbinding letter of intent with tentative title, nontechnical abstract, and a four- to five-sentence description of the project in lay language.

Applications will be accepted through April 1 and evidence of IBC, IACUC or IRB approval must be submitted by May 22. Recipients will be notified by June 19. The funding period begins July 1, 2009, and the project must be completed by June 30, 2010.

Awards are limited to $40,000 each and are restricted to research projects only, exclusive of training grants, conferences or similar educational programs. The number of grants approved depends upon the availability of funds. 

For application forms, guidelines and further information, visit www.vcu.edu/vcoa/ardraf.htm or call 804-828-1525.