Centers without Walls for mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer?s disease-related dementias (ADRD)

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) is seeking ambitious research projects to investigate mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias (ADRD). The program aims to support collaborative research networks, known as "Centers without Walls," which bring together diverse expertise from different institutions to tackle complex neurological problems. The research should focus on elucidating novel ADRD mechanisms, identifying therapeutic targets, biomarkers, and other factors influencing ADRD susceptibility, resilience, and pathology. • The program is anticipated to support teams that combine multiple approaches, such as state-of-the-art technologies, disease-relevant models, clinical science, and human specimens. • One awardee team will serve as a coordinating center for all awardees to facilitate recurring meetings, data harmonization and sharing, cross-site communication, and support the implementation of inter-laboratory rigor and reproducibility plans. • The program is informed by key priorities from the ADRD Summit 2025, including embracing ADRD complexity and breaking down topic- and disease-based silos. • The program is intended to provide a mechanistic foundation for future translational and clinical ADRD research.