Public Health Strategies to Address Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: The National Healthy Brain Initiative, BOLD Public Health Centers of Excellence, and Public Health Adoption Accelerator | CDC RFA DP 26 0227

Opportunity Information: Apply for CDC RFA DP 26 0227

This CDC funding opportunity (CDC-RFA-DP-26-0227) supports large-scale public health approaches to Alzheimer`s disease and related dementias (ADRD). The overall aim is to strengthen the national infrastructure for brain health promotion, dementia risk reduction, earlier detection and better management of cognitive impairment, and stronger support for caregivers. The opportunity is rooted in the National Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) Road Map Series, including the State and Local Road Map (2023-2027) and the Road Map for Indian Country, and it is designed to advance the goals of the BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer`s Act (Public Law 115-406). CDC is offering this as a cooperative agreement, which typically means recipients should expect substantial CDC involvement through collaboration, shared planning, and technical input during implementation.

The rationale for the program is straightforward: Alzheimer`s disease is the most common dementia, it progresses over time from mild memory changes to severe functional impairment, and it is becoming more common as the U.S. population ages. The notice emphasizes the growing mortality burden as well, noting that in 2021 Alzheimer`s was the fifth leading cause of death among adults ages 65 and older, with death rates continuing to rise. In response, CDC`s Alzheimer`s Disease Program focuses on evidence-based public health actions, including improving surveillance and data use, training the workforce, building practical tools, and supporting caregivers as a core public health priority rather than only a clinical issue.

The grant is organized into three distinct components, and applicants are allowed to apply to more than one component as long as they submit a separate application for each. Across all components, CDC anticipates making about seven awards total. The closing date listed is June 26, 2026. Eligible applicants are broad and include state, county, and local governments; special districts; public and private colleges and universities; federally recognized tribal governments and other tribal organizations; public housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status; and for-profit entities (including small businesses). The CFDA/Assistance Listing number is 93.334, and the administering CDC unit is NCCDPHP.

Component 1 is the National Healthy Brain Initiative (HBI) element and is meant to fund at least two organizations at a relatively high level to drive national or multi-jurisdictional public health strategy development and implementation aligned with the HBI Road Maps. The expected work includes developing evidence-informed training for healthcare and public health professionals on ADRD and caregiving, which can help normalize cognitive health as part of routine public health and clinical practice. Another major expectation is expanding the availability and use of surveillance data, including work tied to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), specifically the optional modules on subjective cognitive decline and caregiving. The component also calls for active coordination among recipients and national partners, indicating that awardees will likely serve as conveners who connect agencies, organizations, and systems working on dementia-related public health goals. The funding range for Component 1 is approximately $2.5 million to $3.0 million per 12-month budget period.

Component 2 funds at least two BOLD Public Health Centers of Excellence. Each Center is expected to specialize in one of three topic areas: dementia risk reduction, early detection and management of dementia, or dementia caregiving. These Centers are intended to serve as practical engines for the broader BOLD public health program and for other public health agencies by identifying and promoting best practices, translating promising research into usable tools and resources, and expanding professional education. A key emphasis is on creating materials that address specific needs of individuals and communities to improve health outcomes, which suggests Centers should be capable of tailoring guidance for different populations and settings (for example, state health departments, local public health agencies, healthcare systems, and community-based organizations). The funding range for each Center is about $750,000 to $1,000,000 per 12-month budget period.

Component 3 is the ADRD Public Health Adoption Accelerator, which funds up to two organizations to speed up the spread and real-world use of effective ADRD public health strategies. The focus here is dissemination and implementation science: not just developing tools, but systematically increasing adoption, scaling, and sustained use across partners and systems. Awardees will work with CDC and others to create a prioritized list of ADRD strategies and approaches, then use proven engagement methods to bring along partners, healthcare organizations, and policymakers so the strategies are more widely taken up and put into practice. This component also includes a direct support function, providing technical assistance to the organizations funded under Components 1 and 2, effectively acting as a connector and capacity-builder across the portfolio. The funding range for Component 3 is approximately $750,000 to $1,200,000 per 12-month budget period.

Taken together, the opportunity is structured to cover the full pathway from national strategy and surveillance improvement (Component 1), to topic-focused centers that convert evidence into practical supports and training (Component 2), to an acceleration function that drives adoption, scale, and consistent implementation across jurisdictions (Component 3). The common thread is building durable public health capacity for ADRD, with measurable improvements in data, workforce competence, partner coordination, and the practical uptake of interventions that can reduce risk, support earlier recognition and better management, and strengthen caregiving supports.

• The Centers for Disease Control - NCCDPHP in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Public Health Strategies to Address Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias: The National Healthy Brain Initiative, BOLD Public Health Centers of Excellence, and Public Health Adoption Accelerator" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.334.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2026-05-27.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-06-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 7 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Unrestricted.

Apply for CDC RFA DP 26 0227

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