Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
Founded in 1998 by co-chairmen Leonard A. and Ronald S. Lauder, the Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF) is the only charity solely focused on finding drugs for Alzheimer’s.

ADDF Core Programs
Drug Development RFP
Scope: The Drug Development RFP seeks to support in vivo preclinical studies that advance lead molecules developed for Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias to IND-enabling studies. The proposed studies should be structured to deliver a compound with strong potential for clinical and commercial application. This funding opportunity prioritizes novel drug mechanisms and modes of action related to the biology of aging and other emerging therapeutic areas for dementia. For this reason, amyloid targeted approaches and cholinesterase inhibitor proposals will not be considered for this RFP.
Subsidy: Max $600,000
Funding rate: 100%
Deadlines: 1st stage (Letter of Intent): 20 May/30 September 2022
2nd stage (invited full proposal): 22 July/2 December 2022
Project duration: Multi-year; potential for follow-on funding
Learn more on the ADDF website
Program to Accelerate Clinical Trials (PACT)
Scope: The PACT RFP supports IND-enabling studies and early-phase clinical trials that test promising pharmacological interventions and devices for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias. Both disease-modifying and symptomatic agents will be considered.
Subsidy: Max $3 million
Funding rate: 100%
Deadlines: 1st stage (LOI): 20 May/30 September 2022
2nd stage (invited full proposal): 22 July/2 December 2022
Project duration: Multi-year; potential for follow-on funding
Learn more on the ADDF website
Neuroimaging and CSF Biomarker Development RFP
Scope: The aim of this RFP is to further develop and validate established biomarkers for which there is a clear clinical need in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This RFP prioritizes biomarkers with a defined context of use, a clear advantage over other relevant biomarkers, and a path to commercialization and/or clinical use.
Specifically, this RFP focuses on:
- developing novel PET ligands for clinical trials
- supporting novel CSF biomarkers
- validating established MRI approaches in larger cohorts
Subsidy: max $600,000
Funding rate: 100%
Deadlines: 1st stage (LOI): 20 May/30 September 2022
2nd stage (invited full proposal): 22 July/2 December 2022
Project duration: Multi-year; potential for follow-on funding
Learn more on the ADDF website
Prevention Pipeline RFP
Scope: The ADDF seeks to support comparative effectiveness research, prevention clinical trials, and epidemiological studies that probe whether the use or choice of drugs alters the risk for dementia or cognitive decline.
Specifically, the Prevention Beyond the Pipeline program supports:
- Studies Leveraging the Consortium of Cohorts for Alzheimer’s Prevention Action (CAPA);
- Comparative Effectiveness Research;
- Studies of Cognitive Decline and Cognitive Reserve.
Subsidy: $50,000-100,000 for epidemiological analyses; up to $3,000,000 for clinical trials
Funding rate: 100%
Deadlines: 1st stage (LOI): 20 May/30 September 2022
2nd stage (full proposal): 22 July/2 December 2022
Project duration: Multi-year; potential for follow-on funding
Scope: The ADDF seeks to support comparative effectiveness research, prevention clinical trials, and epidemiological studies that probe whether the use or choice of drugs alters the risk for dementia or cognitive decline.
Specifically, the Prevention Beyond the Pipeline program supports:
- Studies Leveraging the Consortium of Cohorts for Alzheimer’s Prevention Action (CAPA);
- Comparative Effectiveness Research;
- Studies of Cognitive Decline and Cognitive Reserve.
Learn more on the ADDF website
About Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF)
The ADDF focuses on translating the knowledge they have gained about the causes of Alzheimer’s disease into drugs to conquer it. They support an underfunded area—preclinical drug discovery and early-stage clinical trials of potential drug targets—that is often called the “valley of death” because it’s where good ideas go to die. These projects hold great promise, but also great risk.
And most are not far enough along in the drug development pipeline to attract financial support from the pharmaceutical industry, federal funders, or other major partners. By assuming the risk and bridging this critical gap in funding, the ADDF enables leading scientists to pursue pioneering ideas to cure Alzheimer’s disease that would otherwise go unexplored.
To get free funding updates, including with regard to the ADDF, subscribe to Catalyze Alerts.
Visit the ADDF website for more information
Get funding, make impact
Whether you’re an academic or entrepreneur, we craft the roadmap you need to take on the challenges present in finding funding and reaching your market. With over 10 years of experience, we are your gateway to European funding, and beyond.
- Fund. What if funding wasn’t a barrier to innovation? We guide you through the way of finding and obtaining funds.
- Grow. What if your journey was clear? Get the best support for your grant journey.
- Manage. What if you only had to focus on R&D? We provide the support you need to get your innovation on the market.