The UAB Alzheimer's Disease Research Center (ADRC), like all NIA-designated ADRCs, includes a Research Education Component (REC) that sponsors research educational activities to support a multifaceted workforce to meet the nation's research needs in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Alzheimer’s disease-related dementia (ADRD). Each REC directs a Scholars program to help develop the next generation of scientists who will be effective in leading cross-disciplinary, translational, team-science projects. The REC Scholars program supports a select group of trainees and junior faculty who are interested in developing greater experience in AD/ADRD research, through enhanced mentoring and curricular activities.

The UAB ADRC sponsors REC Scholars programs for junior faculty (REC Investigators) and graduate students, medical students, postdoctoral or clinical fellows (REC Trainees).

Applications for both programs are currently closed. Please check back for information regarding the 2025 application cycle.

REC Investigators Program

Benefits

• $25,000 to support salary or research costs, plus support for travel to one Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers national meeting.

• Ongoing input from a multi-disciplinary mentorship team, including established clinical and non-clinical ADRD researchers, to aid in the development, execution and completion of ADRD research projects.

• Support in connecting the investigator with ADRC resources (samples, data) and expertise (collaborators, consultants, etc.).

• For junior investigators seeking R-level funding for the first time, participation in the REC Investigator program provides a strong starting point for demonstrating active connection with the institutional Alzheimer’s-related scientific community.

Eligibility

Participants in the REC Investigators program must:

• have a junior faculty appointment (instructor or assistant professor) at UAB

• be conducting AD/ADRD-related research

• have at least 50% protected time for research

• have not yet been awarded an NIH R01 or equivalent grant

• be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.

Expectations

• Dual mentorship: A primary and secondary mentor will be selected upon entering the program. If the primary mentor is a basic or translational researcher, the co-mentor will have a clinical focus, and vice versa. REC Investigators will meet with both mentors to discuss the research project, and the REC Investigators will be required to present at the ADRC Seminar Series.

• Practicum experiences: REC Investigators will choose several experiences to be involved in ~40 hrs in practicum activities. The practicum experiences are designed to expose REC Investigators to areas outside of his/her expertise. For example, REC Investigators from basic science backgrounds would be expected to choose primarily clinical practicums, with the goal of enhancing their ability to integrate advances in basic, translational and clinical research that will lead to decreasing the morbidity from ADRD. REC Investigators and the mentoring team will determine the optimal mix of experiences, to position REC Investigators for an exceptional ADRD research career.

• UAB ADRC research environment activities: The UAB ADRC community is home to an outstanding array of seminars, workshops and journal clubs related to ADRD. REC Investigators will be expected to attend a variety of research-oriented activities, including the monthly ADRC Research Seminars, the monthly ADRC Clinical Conference, the ADRD Journal Club held every spring semester, and annual workshops on open source ADRD datasets.

• UAB ADRC Symposium: REC Investigators will be required to participate in the annual UAB ADRC Symposium, which includes a poster session, investigator and trainee talks, and networking opportunities.

Application

In addition to contact and eligibility information, applicants will need to upload:

• Statement of what kind of mentoring, guidance, experience, or assistance you hope to obtain through participating in the REC Investigators Program (300 words max).

• Plans for the $25,000 support funds (100 words max).

• Title and brief (3-sentence), lay-friendly, non-confidential description of research.

• One-page research proposal. This can be a Specific Aims page of recent or planned grant application.

• NIH-style biosketch. Be sure the Personal Statement accurately reflects your past training, current goals, and overarching research interests.

• Chair’s letter of support indicating that you will have at least 50% protected time for research.

REC Trainees Program

Benefits

• Didactic and practical training in ADRD and related research approaches, as well as an introduction to accessing research resources developed with the UAB ADRC.

• Introductions to and ongoing interactions with leaders in UAB ADRD research. For trainees embarking on Alzheimer’s-related research, these investigators are their future collaborators, co-mentors, consultants, and Letter of Support writers.

• Funding for conference travel will be available to support REC Trainee travel to and present at ADRD-related meetings and workshops.

• For trainees seeking F or K funding in Alzheimer’s disease–related subjects, participation in the REC Trainee program provides a strong starting point for mentorship and training plans.

Eligibility

Participants in the REC Trainee program must:

• be a graduate student in year 3 or beyond, postdoctoral fellow, medical resident, or clinical fellow

• be conducting research on ADRD-related topics.

Expectations

• Dual mentorship: A primary and secondary mentor will be selected upon entering the program. If the primary mentor is a basic or translational researcher, the co-mentor will have a clinical focus, and vice versa. REC trainees will meet with both mentors to discuss the research project, and the REC trainees will be required to present at the ADRC Seminar Series.

• Practicum experiences: REC trainees will choose several experiences to be involved in ~20 hrs in practicum activities. The practicum experiences are designed to expose REC trainees to areas outside of his/her expertise. For example, REC trainees from basic science backgrounds would be expected to choose primarily clinical practicums, with the goal of enhancing their ability to integrate advances in basic, translational and clinical research that will lead to decreasing the morbidity from ADRD. REC trainees and the mentoring team will determine the optimal mix of experiences, to position REC trainees for an exceptional ADRD research career.

• UAB ADRC research environment activities: The UAB ADRC community is home to an outstanding array of seminars, workshops and journal clubs related to ADRD. REC trainees will be expected to attend a variety of research-oriented activities, including the monthly ADRC Research Seminars, the monthly ADRC Clinical Conference, the ADRD Journal Club held every spring semester, and annual workshops on open source ADRD datasets.

• UAB ADRC Symposium: REC Trainees will be required to participate in the annual UAB ADRC Symposium, which includes a poster session, investigator and trainee talks, and networking opportunities.

Application

In addition to contact and eligibility information, applicants will need to upload:

• Statement of what kind of mentoring, guidance, experience, or assistance you hope to obtain through participating in the REC Trainee Program (300 words max).

• Title and brief (3-sentence), lay-friendly, non-confidential description of research.

• One-page research proposal. This can be a Specific Aims page of recent or planned grant application.

• NIH-style biosketch. Be sure the Personal Statement accurately reflects your past training, current goals, and overarching research interests.

• Mentor or Training Program Director’s letter of support indicating that you are in good standing and will be able to participate in all expected activities of the program.