Alzheimer’s Research UK is a UK-based dementia research charity. Its specialism is funding world-class research to find preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.

Alzheimer’s Research UK offers Major Project Grants for intermediate to large scale research projects that align with Alzheimer’s Research UK’s strategy, which focuses on treatment, diagnosis, and prevention of dementia.

The awards specifically aim to support bold, ambitious, and high-impact ideas in dementia research. Applicants are encouraged to think ambitiously about what their research could achieve with the right support, and to design proposals that are driven by scientific opportunity, rather than a specific funding limit. Proposals for clinical and translational research that aim to accelerate progress towards a cure for people living with or at risk of developing dementia are particularly encouraged.

The Major project grant scheme can also be used to fund ‘added value’ sub-studies of existing or planned clinical trials that are not being funded as part of a core trial. Examples include testing biomarkers, imaging or digital outcome measures in a subgroup of participants to help validate new measures for use in dementia.

The lead applicant and point of contact must be based in a UK academic/research institution. However, the application can include industry partners as well as researchers or institutions outside the UK.

The Lead Applicant is expected to have a contract (fixed term or tenure) which covers the proposed duration of the grant.  If the Lead Applicant does not hold a tenure appointment, the application must include a co-applicant that does.

Grants can last for up five years. Applicants can request up to £600,000, although funding is flexible – both in terms of cost and duration – and should be based on the scientific need and nature of the research questions, as well as the strength of preliminary data.