Investigator Sponsored Studies
About Our ISS Program
Alkermes seeks to support research designed and conducted by independent clinicians and scientists through our Investigator Sponsored Studies (ISS) program.
ISS concepts related to our areas of interest are reviewed according to the schedule below. Alkermes may occasionally announce a Request for Proposals (RFP) for research in clinical areas where gaps in data have been identified. Submission deadlines for any RFP topics will be announced on this site.
The ISS research Alkermes supports must be based in the United States and is typically conducted by experienced researchers who have an established history of successfully completing research with independent funding.
Alkermes can provide its marketed products to the ISS programs it supports. In addition, there may be financial support available, but please note that study budgets cannot exceed $300,000 (inclusive of overhead).
If you intend to request only study drug from Alkermes and will be seeking funding from a different source, we strongly recommend you submit your request to Alkermes for review before submitting a funding request to any third party.
Information for Applicants
The ISS program accepts submissions from applicants with varied education and training backgrounds including MDs, PhDs, PAs, PharmDs, NPs and RNs.
The following types of research are considered for submission to the ISS program:
- Interventional
- Observational
- Monitoring; surveillance
- Use of registry data
- Historical chart review
- Secondary research or meta-analysis
- Patient-reported outcomes
Submission Deadlines
2024 Concept Submission Deadlines
| Submissions Due | Decision Date |
| January 31, 2024 | March 2024 |
| April 29, 2024 | June 2024 |
| August 31, 2024 | October 2024 |
ISS Areas of Interest
Schizophrenia &
Bipolar I Disorder
Olanzapine and samidorphan (OLZ/SAM) Research that furthers the understanding of OLZ/SAM, including but not limited to real world evidence topics such as:
- Use of OLZ/SAM in different phases of illness (e.g., transitions between different settings, providers and levels of care)
- Interventions to support weight management strategies while taking OLZ/SAM
- Use of OLZ/SAM in patients with bipolar I disorder and/or schizophrenia who have co-occurring disorders
Schizophrenia
Aripiprazole lauroxil (AL)
- Use of AL in different phases of illness across the adult lifespan, with focus on outcomes with early use
- Effect of AL treatment on social support, caregivers and healthcare resource utilization
- Use of AL in underserved areas and hard to reach populations (e.g., rural patient care settings, homeless patients and telepsychiatry/hybrid arrangements)
Substance Use Disorders
We are not currently accepting ISS submissions focusing on substance use disorders.
ISS Submission Process
ISS concept submissions are reviewed by a cross-functional team of medical and scientific staff to consider patient safety, operational feasibility, scientific merit, and alignment with Alkermes' research goals and needs.
Please note that Alkermes cannot guarantee support for any ISS submission. All decisions will be made at Alkermes’ sole discretion. ISS submissions are accepted according to the above schedule.
- Requests must be submitted via the online portal by the clinician or scientist
- All submissions should be in concept form
- Full proposals might be requested after the initial review has been completed by the Alkermes ISS Committee
Other Research Grants
Early career investigators may also be interested in the Alkermes Pathways Research Awards®, our annual research grant program that is designed to support the next generation of researchers who are focused on schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder.