At today's HHS Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services, NIA Director Richard J. Hodes, M.D., announced the release of two annual NIH documents:

• NIH Scientific Progress Report:Advancements and Achievements (PDF, 10M)
• NIH Professional Judgment Budget Fiscal Year (FY) 2026:Advancing Progress in Dementia Research (PDF, 15M)

The progress report summarizes the achievements of the past year made possible through NIH-funded and -conducted research. Learn more about how scientists are:

• Advancing understanding of the risk and protective factors, genetics, and mechanisms of dementia
• Expanding large and complex data sets in accessible platforms to speed up translational research on therapeutic candidates
• Diversifying and de-risking the therapeutic pipeline for disease-modifying drugs
• Accelerating drug repurposing and combination therapy development
• Developing tools to detect, diagnose, and monitor dementia
• Advancing clinical research on lifestyle interventions
• Increasing understanding of how social and environmental factors affect dementia risk and disparities
• Expanding research on dementia care and care partner interventions
• Enhancing diversity and inclusion in clinical trials

The professional judgment budget proposal outlines examples of prospective research opportunities that NIH could support with additional funds in FY26, describing investment priorities in research in seven key areas:

• Epidemiology/Population Studies
• Disease Mechanisms
• Diagnosis, Assessment, and Disease Monitoring
• Translational Research and Clinical Interventions
• Dementia Care and Impact of Disease
• Research Resources
• Crosscutting Area: Community-Engaged Research

For more information, read the progress report and professional judgment budget proposal.