Pilot Grants

NDWS is conducting an annual, national competition for pilot research projects to accelerate use of survey data of the professional dementia care workforce and linked data sources.

Visit the Pilot Grant Awardees webpage to see previous recipients.

Apply Now for Cycle 3 Pilot Grants

Applications for Cycle 3 pilot grants are open now for research studies that propose innovative uses of NDWS data.

  • Deadline: 11:59 p.m. EST Monday, April 27, 2026
  • Funding Amount: Two categories of awards are available in Cycle 3.
    • Small Awards: Up to $80,000 total costs per award (direct costs not to exceed $50,000)
    • Large Awards: Up to $160,000 total costs per award (direct costs not to exceed $100,000)
  • Award Notifications: Expected by July 31, 2026
  • Expected Award Date: Oct. 1, 2026
  • Award Period: 12 months (or 18 months if using linked data)

Pilot awards are designed to contribute new research findings, generate pilot data to support larger studies, and inform the development of future surveys. Projects must advance at least one NIA AD+ADRD Research Implementation Milestone. Applicants may propose using multiple surveys in their analysis, but it is not required.

For this cycle, applicants may choose to apply for either a Small or Large pilot award. The number of each awarded will be determined based on the quality of applications.

  • Small Awards ($50,000 direct costs/$80,000 total costs) are best for projects that only use NDWS survey data, and/or are primarily descriptive. 
  • Large Awards ($100,000 direct costs/$160,000 total costs) are best for more complicated projects, particularly those involving linked data and/or CMS data.

Awardees will have access to additional support from NDWS, including biostatistical consultation, to promote successful completion and dissemination.

Read the full details, including eligibility, evaluation criteria, and submission criteria, opens in a new window. 

Proposals will be submitted through the University of Michigan-hosted Competition Space website.

, opens in a new windowApply Now

Questions?

To learn more, please review our Pilot Grant Q&A and our general FAQs about the NDWS data and linked data sources.

If your questions aren’t addressed there, email NDWSpilots@ucsf.edu with “Pilot RFP” in the subject line. Answers will be added to the Pilot Grant Q&A document on a rolling (weekly) basis, with responses posted until two weeks before the deadline. Questions already answered in the existing Q&A will not receive a response.