Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute Awards $1.2 Million In Research Grants

Institute promotes collaborative effort towards finding a cure

The Institute awarded $1.2 million dollars in research grants to scientists across the state. The grants are a part of the Institute’s mission to promote a collaborative approach to research.

In research, good ideas often need help to grow.

This is why the Institute provides grant money for research projects of great promise. The program is especially helpful to junior scientists who are building a body of work that will make them competitive for major grants. This grant program also allows the Institute to support innovative ideas that need time for further work to ready it for other grants. After an extensive review process by Alzheimer’s experts from outside Florida, the Institute this year has awarded grants to 19 new projects. The expectation is that the results generated from this initial support will lead to further funding from national agencies such as the National Institutes of Health.

Through this collaborative effort, the Institute has been able to publish more than 63 articles in peer-reviewed journals.

Florida scientists have already received more than $11 million in new funding built on the results of the Byrd Alzheimer’s Institute Grant Program.

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Legislative Update Fall 2007

The recent budget crisis has had people all over the state of Florida working to educate their elected representatives about the cruel costs of Alzheimer’s disease and what many people are calling the coming “tsunami” of Alzheimer’s.

The work paid off.

The funding picture began very dark: plans for budget cuts began with recommendations from the Governor’s Office and the Department of Elder Affairs for a 2/3 cut ($10 million dollars) to the Institute. Then proposals of a 50% cut were discussed.

The Legislature, however, decided that Alzheimer’s disease research is a state priority. And, they reaffirmed their commitment to the work of the Institute. As part of an overall reduction in the state budget, the Institute has been cut $1.5 million dollars.

Legislators made this decision because caregivers, researchers, families, and concerned community members told them that scientific research cannot work with on and off funding.

Science is cumulative: each step builds on the work immediately before it. The next big break through is in those steps!

We want to thank all of you who helped by writing letters, sending e-mails, or talking about the importance of Alzheimer’s research. We said that this should not be a fight between caregivers and research. We must have both. And, the Legislature agreed.

Thanks to our Tampa Bay area legislative delegation for all of their hard work and to the leadership in the House and the Senate. Please express your appreciation to your local representatives and to the leadership. They had a tough job and they didn’t forget the challenge Alzheimer’s. Say thanks for their leadership and their vision.

If you visit the Institute’s web page (www.byrdinsititute.org) and click on the blue tab on the top bar that says “Be Heard” and chose “Advocacy,” you will be taken to our legislative news and action section. From here you can send an e-mail, look up your local Senator or Representative, and volunteer to be a member of our on-going advocacy work.

Research Today: memories forever.

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www.byrdinstitute.org