The Goal of our Center is to develop and test novel interventions to improve adherence to behavior change and enhance cognitive function in middle-aged and older adults. Prospective observational studies indicate that physical activity is one of the most promising strategies for preventing Alzheimer’s Disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD). Unfortunately, most middle-aged and older adults are not engaging in the recommended level of physical activity. One of the major barriers to a large national trial to validate physical activity as a strategy for preventing AD/ADRD is the limited rate of adherence to behavior change following a physical activity intervention. To address that limitation we aim to accelerate the translation of basic discoveries about motivation and adherence to behavior change into principle-driven, scalable, and potent interventions that can be successfully implemented in the real world to improve physical activity adherence and enhance cognitive function.
Request For Proposals
The Roybal Center for Promoting Adherence to Behavior Change and Enhancing Cognitive Function is pleased to announce a call for applications for projects aimed at advancing research on translational research developing and evaluating behavioral interventions to prevent AD/ADRD.
Proposals must be a stage 0-4 clinical trial as defined in the of the NIH Stage Model of Behavioral Intervention Development and have adequate statistical power to test mechanisms of behavior change and/or the efficacy of the intervention for promoting physical activity.
Proposals should address one of the following:
- Focus on one or more targets of adherence to behavior change for physical activity (stages 1-3);
- Evaluate and refine automated content development tools for adapting intervention content to promote physical activity and brain health in populations (stage 1);
- Evaluate Roybal behavioral interventions in populations with elevated risk for AD/ADRD (stage 3);
- Develop new behavioral interventions to engage targeted mechanisms of adherence to behavior change (stage 1);
- Identify factors leading to successful implementation of Roybal behavior interventions (stages 3-4); or
- Address a priority topic identified by the External Advisory Committee.
Some topics of particular interest include:
- Improving measurement of targeted mechanisms of adherence to behavioral change;
- Effects of Spanish-language intervention content developed using generative artificial intelligence;
- Impact of pollution on physical activity adherence and changes in cognitive function;
- Reducing health disparities in adherence following physical activity interventions;
- Effects of adherence to physical activity on ambulatory cognitive function in adults with mild cognitive impairment;
- Implementation processes in existing community or clinical contexts
Award Amount
Up to $50,000 in total costs, inclusive of indirect costs. We strongly encourage applications to seek IDC waivers to maximize the direct costs available for projects. Applications need to include a letter from an Authorized Organizational Representative confirming their commitment and expectation.
Investigators will also receive support from the Roybal Center for Promoting Adherence to Behavior Change and Enhancing Cognitive Function with selecting robust measures of behavioral mechanisms and health behaviors; access to our precision messaging system using tools from control systems engineering to optimize the timing and selection of messages and a custom smartwatch app for ecological momentary assessments and interventions; consultations on data management and analysis; planning for data and safety monitoring; mentorship from experienced behavioral researchers; and opportunities for dissemination of study findings. Applicants are also encouraged to inquire about the possibility of applying for co-funding from other Centers in the Roybal Network.
Duration
Up to 2 years with an anticipated project start date in March 2026.
Number of Awards
Up to 2 awards per year.
Eligibility
Applicants can be post-doctoral research fellows, new faculty, or new-to-the-field investigators who intend to use the results of this funding to pursue new external funding. Applicants are not required to be affiliated with the University of Michigan; however, all applicants must be directly affiliated with a domestic institution located within the United States (i.e., awards cannot be made to foreign institutions).
Application Process
- Communicate with Dr. Conroy (RoybalCenter@umich.edu) to discuss proposal ideas, learn more about Center tools that are available to support your research, or answer related questions about applications.
- Submit a Letter of Intent by October 15, 2025. LOI will be submitted via an online template and components include a Face Page (with Applicant information, primary Roybal P30 Center of choice, prior Roybal funding, estimated project budget, and proposed project duration), PI NIH Biosketch, and project details.
- Investigators will be notified by November 12, 2025 if selected to submit a full proposal.
- Submit full application by January 5, 2026. Applications will be submitted via online form and include a Face Page (with Applicant information, selected P30 Centers, and proposed project duration), NIH Biosketches for PI and Co-Is, project details, a detailed project budget and budget justification.
- The Roybal Center for Promoting Adherence to Behavior Change and Enhancing Cognitive Function review panel will evaluate grant proposals. Applicants chosen for funding will be notified by February 13, 2026. If selected, your project will be reviewed by the National Institute on Aging for Final Award Approval before funding is released.