2027 AZRP RFI Questions_for posting.docx

FY27 AZRP Stakeholder Survey

DISCLAIMER: This RFI is issued solely for information and planning purposes and does not constitute a solicitation. Neither unsolicited proposals nor any other kind of offers will be considered in response to this RFI. Responses to this notice are not offers and will not be accepted by the government to form a binding contract. Responders are solely responsible for all expenses associated with responding to this RFI. The information requested shall be entered into Survey Monkey; therefore, the Government is unable to protect proprietary/sensitive information. Interested parties shall not submit proprietary/sensitive information through Survey Monkey. Responses to this RFI will not be returned. At this time, questions concerning the composition and requirements for a future RFP will not be entertained.

PURPOSE: The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) seeks feedback to inform the fiscal year 2027 (FY27) Alzheimer’s Research Program (AZRP) research focus areas and associated research funding opportunities.

Although FY27 federal funds have not yet been appropriated, the AZRP is collecting this information solely to support strategic program planning. This inquiry does not commit the program to incorporating this feedback into FY27 or any future AZRP funding opportunities. The CDMRP wants to hear from all audiences, interested parties, and individuals from academia, industry, community and non-profit organizations, scientific and professional organizations, federal agencies, and the public.

This RFI should not be construed as a solicitation or an obligation on the part of the AZRP or the Department of War.

CONTACT INFORMATION: Any and all questions related to this RFI shall be directed to Jared D. Acre at jared.d.acre.civ@health.mil. All information regarding responses or any other proprietary information relative to this RFI shall be submitted via email to jared.d.acre.civ@health.mil no later than 4:00 PM (EST) on December 04, 2026.

Demographics

1. Which primary stakeholder group best describes your role in the Alzheimer’s and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) community? (Please select one)

a. Scientific / Clinical Researcher (Academic, Industry, or Non-Profit)

b. Lived Experience Partner (Individual diagnosed with AD/ADRD or mild cognitive impairment)

c. Care Partner / Family Caregiver / Patient Advocate

d. Federal Partner (DoW/DHA, VA, NIH, CDC, FDA, or other interagency office)

e. Healthcare Provider / Clinician

f. Other (please describe)

For the current AZRP Strategic Goal listed below, please rate each research gap using the following 4-point scale to indicate where research is lacking or where funding is urgently needed:

· 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

· Well-funded; minimal to no additional funding needed

· 2 = Moderate Gap

· Progress has been made; additional research and funding required to close the gap.

· 3 = Major Gap

· Significant gap remains; requires prioritized funding

· 4 = Critical Gap

· No or highly insufficient active research; requires highest priority funding investment Strategic Goal: Understanding risk factors to reduce and prevent AD/ADRD

2. Understanding, identification, and/or validation of risk and/or protective factors, with research outcomes/products focused on accelerating solutions

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

3. Development and evaluation of methods, technologies, and strategies that contribute to reducing risk and preventing AD/ADRD

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

4. Examining differential risk pathways in vulnerable subgroups to inform precision prevention strategies

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

5. Link service-related exposures to specific AD/ADRD biological and clinical pathways, with emphasis on differential risk in vulnerable subgroups

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

6. Quantify independent and combined effects of military-relevant risk factors across Veteran and military cohorts

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

7. Validating blood-based or neuroimaging biomarker panels in Veteran cohorts younger than 65 to characterize the etiology of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

For the current AZRP Strategic Goal listed below, please rate each research gap using the following 4-point scale to indicate where research is lacking or where funding is urgently needed:

· 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

· Well-funded; minimal to no additional funding needed

· 2 = Moderate Gap

· Progress has been made; additional research and funding required to close the gap.

· 3 = Major Gap

· Significant gap remains; requires prioritized funding

· 4 = Critical Gap

· No or highly insufficient active research; requires highest priority funding investment Strategic Goal: Improve availability of early and accurate diagnosis and prognosis

8. Development and validation of objective digital biomarkers and computational models to detect subclinical decline and forecast disease progression

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

9. Validate scalable, accessible biomarkers for early detection, staging, and monitoring prior to significant cognitive impairment

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

10. Development and validation of biological and clinical signatures that distinguish AD/ADRD from chronic sequelae of traumatic brain injury

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

11. Development and validation of prognostic markers and staging frameworks that predict rate of cognitive decline and identify optimal windows for disease-modifying therapies

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

For the current AZRP Strategic Goal listed below, please rate each research gap using the following 4-point scale to indicate where research is lacking or where funding is urgently needed:

· 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

· Well-funded; minimal to no additional funding needed

· 2 = Moderate Gap

· Progress has been made; additional research and funding required to close the gap.

· 3 = Major Gap

· Significant gap remains; requires prioritized funding

· 4 = Critical Gap

· No or highly insufficient active research; requires highest priority funding investment Strategic Goal: Improve the quality of life for people living with AD/ADRD diagnoses, including care partners and families

12. Evaluation of evidence-based interventions to reduce care partner burnout, stress, and isolation

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

13. Evaluation of behavioral and non-pharmacological symptom management solutions

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

14. Evaluation of interventions targeting modifiable risk factors

a. 1 = Fully Addressed Gap

b. 2 = Moderate Gap

c. 3 = Major Gap

d. 4 = Critical Gap

Research Pipeline and Missing Gaps

15. In which stage of research is funding most urgently needed to move findings into real-world application? (Please select one)

a. Discovery and Target Validation (pre-clinical, foundational biology)

b. Early Translation and Assay Validation (proof-of-concept testing)

c. Implementation Science and Health Services Research (translating proven interventions into standard clinical practice, assessing system-wide adoption, and optimizing care delivery models

16. What is ONE critical research topic or emerging capability in AD/ADRD that is currently overlooked by federal funders?