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CART Grants Program

Alzheimer's Research Trust Fund (CART)

The goal of CART is to encourage exploratory and developmental AD research projects within the United States by providing support for the early and conceptual plans of those projects that may not yet be supported by extensive preliminary data, but have the potential to substantially advance biomedical research. Since 1999, the fund has awarded over $15 million to research centers from throughout the U.S.A.

The CART Fund invites interested applicants from within the United States only to submit a Letter-of-Intent (LOI) that includes sufficient detail to communicate the importance of your study as well as information on its feasibility. Proposals should be distinct from those projects designed to increase knowledge in a well-established area unless it is intended to extend previous discoveries toward new directions or applications.

Applications may encompass a project period of up to two years with a combined budget for direct costs up to $500,000. No indirect costs are allowed. Full-time faculty (or the equivalent status) at US-based public and private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories are eligible. This is for NEW projects only. Applications will be deemed ineligible from for-profit and organizations outside of the United States, as well as those already supported by regular or program grants.

CART typically awards 4-6 grants per year, and will award at least one top grant of $500,000 in 2026.

CART Schedule for Grant Application Processing for 2025-2026:

December 5, 2025 – Deadline for applicants to submit letters of intent via e-mail

January 9, 2026 – Notification via e-mail of finalists selected for further review

February 13, 2026 – Deadline for finalists to submit full grant applications via e-mail

March 31, 2026 – Date of notification to finalists via e-mail

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Although CART does not publicly publish a detailed scoring rubric, the official eligibility and program guidance and the structure of the announcements allow us to infer reliable success predictors that reflect how CART selects its highest-impact projects:

✅ 1. Novelty & High Impact Potential

CART emphasizes “cutting-edge” research designed to make significant advances in Alzheimer’s disease understanding or therapy over the two-year project term.

Proposals that push boundaries beyond well-established lines of inquiry — but with a rationale for practical impact — tend to be viewed more favorably.

Projects directed at novel mechanisms, biomarkers, early diagnosis, or disease modifying strategies are implicitly aligned with the Fund’s mission. CartFund

Predictor:
✔ Propose innovative, high-risk/high-reward hypotheses with a credible path toward tangible advances in Alzheimer’s research within the funding period.

✅ 2. Scientific Rigor & Feasibility

CART requires LOIs to clearly articulate the research question, hypothesis, and evidence of feasibility.

The two-year grant duration and lack of indirect costs mean reviewers look closely at whether the project can realistically be completed in that timeframe and budget.

Predictor:
✔ Structured experimental plans with defined objectives, milestones, contingency strategies, and measurable outcomes increase competitiveness. CartFund

✅ 3. Clear Relevance to Alzheimer’s Disease

CART grants are specifically for Alzheimer’s disease research. This means projects must demonstrate direct relevance to AD mechanisms, progression, diagnosis, prevention, or treatment — not general neuroscience.

Work that ties outcomes to Alzheimer’s pathobiology is seen as stronger than generic neurodegeneration studies with only tangential connection.

Predictor:
✔ Explicitly frame your research’s significance within the context of Alzheimer’s disease pathogenesis or therapeutic development.

✅ 4. Investigator Expertise & Environment

Principal investigators must be at U.S. institutions with appropriate faculty status; this suggests that reviewer panels consider track record and capacity to conduct the work.

Established collaboration teams and access to necessary infrastructure (core facilities, animal models, clinical research networks where applicable) can strengthen a proposal.

Predictor:
✔ Demonstrate the team’s relevant experience, prior publications, and institutional support for successful execution. CartFund

✅ 5. Budget Justification within CART Rules

CART permits direct costs only, so budgets must be realistic, focused, and justified without indirect cost recovery.

Applicants should prioritize project essentials (personnel, key assays, supplies) and justify each line item tightly given the no-indirect-costs rule.

Predictor:
✔ A clear, lean budget that aligns closely with the research plan and milestones increases reviewer confidence.

✅ 6. Strategic Positioning of the LOI

Because CART uses an LOI → Full selection process, the LOI itself serves as a high-stakes screening — a clear, compelling LOI wins invitations to submit a full proposal.

A well-written LOI that concisely conveys importance, innovation, and feasibility is crucial.

Predictor:
✔ Invest time in crafting an LOI with a succinct narrative that makes the case for urgency and novelty while demonstrating clarity and confidence in feasibility. CartFund

📊 What CART Tends Not to Fund

Projects that simply incrementalize established lines of research without clear novelty or advancement direction are less likely to succeed. CartFund

Proposals from for-profit entities or institutions outside the United States are ineligible. CartFund

🧠 Practical Application Strategy

Before you submit:
✔ Confirm eligibility — PI status and institutional eligibility early. CartFund
✔ Frame the project in terms of Alzheimer’s-specific insights rather than broad neurobiology.
✔ Focus the LOI on a compelling narrative: key question, hypothesis, innovation leap, concise plan, and anticipated impact.
✔ Ensure the budget is tight and justified with a clear rationale for each expense.
✔ If invited for a full proposal, expand with rigorous methods, risk mitigation, and detailed milestones.

🧠 Summary: CART Success Predictors

Success Predictor	Why It Matters
Novelty & high impact	CART funds innovative, transformative projects. CartFund
Scientific rigor & feasibility	Ensures project deliverability in 2 years. CartFund
Clear Alzheimer’s relevance	Direct AD focus is essential. CartFund
Investigator expertise	Confidence in execution. CartFund
Lean, justified budget	Aligned with fund’s rules and priorities. CartFund
Strong LOI narrative	First filter for invitation to full application. CartFund

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Eligibility Requirements

Full-time faculty (or the equivalent status) at US-based public and private institutions, such as universities, colleges, hospitals and laboratories are eligible.

Eligible Countries:

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Alzheimer's Research Trust Fund (CART)

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 1985 Tate Blvd SE, Suite 43, Hickory, NC 28602

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