Center for Dementia Respite Innovation Grants from the Alzheimer’s Association

Important Dates

Application Deadline: March 30th at 11:59 PM ET

Informational webinar: Feb. 18, 2026 at 1 p.m. ET

Letter of Intent deadline: March 2, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET

There are 11 million Americans providing unpaid care for people living with dementia. Currently the United States has just one adult day care center or home health agency providing respite care for every 650 dementia caregivers who might benefit from these services. The Alzheimer’s Association is pioneering a national effort to enhance and expand respite care to bring these caregivers relief.

The Alzheimer’s Association was awarded $25 million by the Administration for Community Living (ACL) to make respite services and service providers more dementia-capable and provide the best person-centered care possible.

The five-year grant established a new Center for Dementia Respite Innovation (CDRI) led by Sam Fazio, Ph.D., vice president, care & support programs and research, Alzheimer’s Association. Fazio works closely with Joseph Gaugler, Ph.D., professor and director of the Center for Healthy Aging and Innovation, School of Public Health, University of Minnesota and Sandy Markwood, chief executive officer, USAging.

The Alzheimer’s Association CDRI funds new respite care innovation projects. Local organizations or providers, currently, or interested in, providing dementia-related respite services to communities at higher risk for Alzheimer’s or other dementia are encouraged to apply.

Respite providers (community-based settings, in-home services, innovative models) can learn more and apply at alz.org/CDRI.