key: cord-0754169-5qtlrsga authors: Meyers, Emily A.; Amouyel, Philippe; Bovenkamp, Diane E.; Carrillo, Maria C.; De Buchy, Geraldine Drexel; Dumont, Magali; Fillit, Howard; Friedman, Lauren; Henderson‐Begg, Gregor; Hort, Jakub; Murtishaw, Andrew; Oakley, Richard; Panchal, Maï; Rossi, Sharyn L.; Sancho, Rosa M.; Thienpont, Linda; Weidner, Wendy; Snyder, Heather M. title: Commentary: Global Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementia research funding organizations support and engage the research community throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic date: 2021-10-01 journal: Alzheimers Dement DOI: 10.1002/alz.12472 sha: e575c8400c6311e14644aa16871ce27ed36dfd7e doc_id: 754169 cord_uid: 5qtlrsga The COVID‐19 pandemic has disproportionately affected more vulnerable populations, including those living with dementia. Over 50 million individuals worldwide are living with Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other dementia, and it is crucial to continue the fight against the condition during the global pandemic. Since the start of mandated lockdowns in March 2020, charity and non‐profit organizations that fund AD and related dementia research continue to respond to the needs of the AD research community, ensuring the momentum continues and accelerates. Members of the International Alzheimer's and Related Dementia Research Funder Consortium, a group of nearly 40 funding organizations that informally convene throughout the year to share updates and information, have taken a number of steps to ensure the continued support of the research community. Even during times of uncertainty, it is essential that the field moves forward to uncover preventions, diagnoses, and treatments for these diseases that affect many millions globally. According to the 2015 Alzheimer's Disease International (ADI) report, 1 Restrictions placed on in-person social gatherings during this time significantly impacted the ability to convene scientific conferences and discussions in person. Many organizations used emerging tools that enabled virtual convening to adapt to these restrictions. The Alzheimer's Association International Conference (AAIC) originally planned to occur in Amsterdam, the Netherlands in July 2020 was able to pivot to a virtual format. The Alzheimer's Association opened this conference to attendees with free registration, engaging more than 33,000 individuals from more than 140 countries. In December, ADI also held a virtual international conference with more than 1600 people attending from 120 countries, including many early career researchers from low-and middle-income countries. Foundation's pre-conference symposium to AD/PD 2021 9 and ARUK's Annual Research Conference. 10 Virtual conferences allow for the sharing of information, networking, and collaboration between scientists. While it can be difficult to fully re-create these aspects in a virtual space, emerging hybrid models that engage in-person and virtual participation likely will evolve in the coming years. 11, 12 It is imperative during this time that the ADRD field does not lose new and upcoming researchers. To reinforce this commitment, Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation (ADDF), BrightFocus Foundation, Alzheimer's Association, ADI, and others hosted virtual programs aimed to engage and support early career researchers. The AAIC Neuroscience Next (AAIC-NN) conference launched as an opportunity for early career researchers to present work, publish abstracts, and network with scientists from all career levels, with more than 5000 attendees. A bright aspect of the virtual format is widespread accessibility. The guidance from the WHO to study the short-and long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 on the brain. 16 This study aims to better understand the consequences that may impact the brain, cognition, and functionincluding underlying biology that may contribute to AD and other dementia. 17 Through this commentary, the funding organizations represented share the steadfast commitment to fund, recruit, and retain research staff in the present and future. A particular focus remains on prioritizing funding opportunities and retaining early-career researchers and clinician researchers in the ADRD field. Last, the research funders are committed to working with funded researchers, and the entire community to facilitate the future of research through enhanced sharing of data and resources. To assist in these efforts, the research funders will continue to evaluate and develop guidelines for data sharing. AD and ADRD are a global health crisis that has been affecting families long before COVID-19. Even during these times, we must remain steadfast in funding research to find preventions, diagnoses, and treatments. The Global Impact of Dementia: An Analysis of Prevalence, Incidence, Cost and Trends. Alzheimer's Disease International Impact and mortality of COVID-19 on people living with dementia: cross-country report UK: Alzheimer's Society UK Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on clinical research How is biomedical research funding faring during the COVID-19 lockdown The impact of COVID-19 on research Alzheimer's Association Rapid Program in Dementia (RAPID) Funding Grant Program UK: Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, UK Government Common Features of Neurodegenerative Disease: Exploring the Brain-Eye Connection and Beyond Virtual conferences raise standards for accessibility and interactions Talking science, online Letter from Fédération des Centres Mémoires de France BrightFocus Foundation COVID-19 Update Advice and support during COVID-19: General advice and resources from Alzheimer associations The chronic neuropsychiatric sequelae of COVID-19: the need for a prospective study of viral impact on brain functioning Commentary: Global Alzheimer's disease and Alzheimer's disease related dementia research funding organizations support and engage the research community throughout the COVID-19 pandemic