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NIH Phase 1 Exploratory/Developmental Cooperative Agreement (UG3)

Seamless Early-Stage Clinical Drug Development (Phase 1 to 2a) for Novel therapeutic Agents for the Spectrum of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) and AD-related Dementias (ADRD)

Funds one bundled run from first-in-human through phase 2a for a dementia drug that works on something other than amyloid or tau.

Early dementia drug development loses years to the gaps between trials — each phase written, reviewed and funded separately while the compound waits. The National Institutes of Health funds the whole early stretch as one project here.

The applicant bundles independent protocols: a phase 1 trial together with phase 1b and phase 2a trials. They stay separate protocols, but they are planned, funded

Bundled phase 1, phase 1b and phase 2a clinical trials of pharmacological candidates — small molecules or biologics — engaging non-amyloid and non-tau mechanisms to address cognitive or neuropsychiatric symptoms across the spectrum of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, with prespecified go/no-go safety and tolerability milestones gating the advance between phases.

CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.19 Nov 2026
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.26 weeks
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Cooperative agreement
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.

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Last verified: 25 Aug 2026Funder reference: PAR-25-226Source: www.grants.gov