30 million SEK from Wellcome Leap CARE for research with a comprehensive perspective on Alzheimer’s disease risk
Shireen Sindi at NVS and her team have been awarded this major grant. It is the first time an applicant from Karolinska Institutet (KI) has received such a large grant from Wellcome Leap, with whom KI has had an agreement since 2021.
It was former President Ole Petter Ottersen who ensured that KI signed the agreement with Wellcome Leap in 2021, thereby joining the Leap Health Breakthrough Network.
Wellcome Leap is a non-profit research foundation established in 2020 by the Wellcome Trust to accelerate discoveries and innovations for the benefit of human health. Richard Cowburn, Head of the External Engagement Office at GVS, handled the practical aspects of the agreement together with KI’s legal team. He has also monitored Wellcome Leap and sent out encouraging messages to researchers to apply when opportunities of interest to KI have arisen. He emphasizes that the idea behind Wellcome Leap is to mobilize efforts around major challenges.
“This is a major and prestigious initiative, and a great recognition for KI and NVS to be included,” says Richard Cowburn.
Lead applicant Shireen Sindi - what made you apply for funding from Wellcome Leap - CARE?
”When I read the funding call and learned more about the mission of Wellcome Leap - CARE, I immediately realized how well it aligned with my current research interests and long-term ambitions, says Shireen Sindi, docent at the Department of Neurobiology, Care Sciences and Society. The initiative presents a rare opportunity to access the infrastructure and support needed to address some of the most pressing, large-scale research questions in our field. Given the tight timeline, I quickly prioritized putting together a strong interdisciplinary team and focused on submitting a competitive application.”
What is the name of your research project for which you applied for the grant?
”The project is called EMERALD, which stands for Elucidating Mechanisms of Endocrine Risk in Alzheimer’s and Dementia.”
What is the most important thing you want to focus on in this project?
”In dementia research, we’ve identified a range of modifiable risk factors, such as vascular and metabolic conditions, lifestyle, psychosocial and environmental factors. However, despite women comprising two-thirds of those affected by Alzheimer’s disease, our understanding of how reproductive and hormonal factors influence risk or protection remains limited.”
”With EMERALD, we aim to close this knowledge gap by leveraging large, deeply phenotyped cohort studies from multiple countries. We’ll examine reproductive and hormonal factors—such as reproductive span, timing and cause of menopause, hormone replacement therapy, reproductive history, and pregnancy complications—alongside genetic risk, Alzheimer’s disease biomarkers, neuroimaging correlates, and circulating sex hormones. We’ll also assess the potential moderating role of psychosocial factors.”
”Through this comprehensive approach, EMERALD seeks to generate actionable insights that can guide prevention strategies and support clinicians and individuals in making more informed decisions.”
You have several co-applicants. Who are they, and what areas of expertise do they bring?
”Yes, we’ve assembled a highly interdisciplinary and international team. Our co-applicants include:
- From Karolinska Institutet (Sweden): Professor Miia Kivipelto, Docent Ivan Nalvarte, and Docent Silvia Maioli.
- From University College London (UK): Dr. Jessica Gong.
- From Wake Forest University (USA): Associate Professor Chinedu Udeh-Momoh.
- From the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative: Dr. Caitlin McHugh and Dr. Matthew Clement.
Collectively, we bring expertise in neuroscience, neuroendocrinology, epidemiology, data science, statistics, medicine, geriatrics, clinical trials, and psychology. Each team member plays a crucial role, and together we offer a comprehensive lens on the multifactorial nature of Alzheimer’s disease risk.”
What was your first reaction when you found out that you received this grant?
”I was absolutely thrilled! It was incredibly rewarding to receive the positive decision. I also felt a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunity, for the trust placed in our vision, and for the chance to work on a project with such potential to make a meaningful impact.”
How does it feel to be the first at KI to receive such a large grant from Wellcome Leap?
”It’s a tremendous honour. This was a highly competitive call, rigorously reviewed by leading experts in the field, so being selected is a powerful endorsement of our work. I also recognize the responsibility that comes with this award, both in fulfilling the funder’s expectations and in representing KI within this international research network.”
”Above all, I’m excited to join the Wellcome Leap CARE network; a community of researchers at the forefront of investigating sex and gender differences in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It’s a unique opportunity to build new international collaborations and accelerate progress in this important area.”
What is the first thing you will start with when the money arrives?
”Together with our collaborators, including colleagues at the Alzheimer’s Disease Data Initiative, we’ll begin by mapping existing datasets to identify those that include the variables necessary for our analyses, particularly those related to reproductive and hormonal factors.”
”From a project management perspective, we’re already laying the groundwork. We’ve advertised two research positions, opened the project account, drafted the Statement of Work, and are setting up the infrastructure needed to meet administrative and financial reporting requirements.”