Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation - Prevention

Deadline: September 15, 2025, letter of intent
If invited, full proposal due November 17, 2025

Funding:

• Award amount: Up to $5,000,000 for clinical trials based on stage and scope of research.
• For studies requiring additional support, co-funding from other funding agencies or investors is encouraged. Payment structure will be negotiated and based on milestone achievements and recruitment.
• Average duration: Multi-year.
• Allowable costs: Only direct costs are allowed.

Career Stage: All career stages

Purpose:
The ADDF seeks to support precision prevention studies, combination therapy studies and comparative effectiveness research that probe whether the use or choice of interventions may reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias. Studies that are not in humans will not be considered.

Eligibility:
Industry partnerships are encouraged.
NOTE: Funding is provided through mission-related investments that require return on investment based upon scientific and/or business milestones

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Alzheimer’s Drug Discovery Foundation
Neuroimaging and CSF Biomarker Program

Deadline: September 15, 2025, letter of intent
If invited, full proposal due November 17, 2025

Funding: Up to $600,000. Only direct costs are allowed.

Career Stage: All career stages

Purpose:
The aim of this RFP is to further develop and validate established biomarkers for which there is a clear clinical need in Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. This RFP prioritizes biomarkers with a defined context of use, a clear advantage over other relevant biomarkers, and a path to commercialization and/or clinical use.

Specifically, this RFP focuses on:

• Developing novel PET ligands for clinical trials
• Supporting novel CSF biomarkers
• Validating innovative MRI approaches in larger cohorts
• Developing novel measures of functional activity such as EEG

Eligibility:

• Industry partnerships are encouraged.
• NOTE: Funding is provided through mission-related investments that require return on investment based upon scientific and/or business milestones

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Brain & Behavior Research Foundation
Distinguished Investigator Grants

Deadline: September 25, 2025, 11:59 p.m.

Funding: Up to $100,000

Purpose:
The Foundation’s Distinguished Investigator Grant Program offers up to $100,000 for a one-year period and is provided for established scientists pursuing particularly innovative project ideas. BBRF Distinguished Investigator Grants fund talented, established scientists with a record of outstanding research accomplishments. These research projects might provide new approaches to understanding or treating severe mental illness. If successful, the grants could result in later funding from other sources. These grants are among the most competitive in mental health research and demonstrate the power of investigator-initiated research to bring out new and creative ideas.

Eligibility:
Applicants must be a full professor (or equivalent), and maintain peer-reviewed, competitively funded scientific programs. Applicants may not receive the award for a second time.

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Bright Focus
Alzheimer's Disease Research Standard Awards

Deadline: September 29, 2025, 5 p.m. ET

Award Amount: $300,000, duration is three years

Eligibility: This research grant program is restricted to new and early investigators who have obtained their MD, PhD or equivalent degree within the past 12 years at the time of application. The applicant must serve as the principal investigator on the project, have institutional permission to manage the award and the key personnel associated with the proposal.

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Bright Focus
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards

Deadline: September 29, 2025, 5 p.m. ET

Award Amount: $200,000, duration is two years

Eligibility: Postdoctoral fellowship awards are intended for young researchers in their final stages of mentored training. These awards fund projects in an established laboratory that will serve as the basis for the applicant’s independent research career. Must be within five years of degree conferral.

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Morton Cure Paralysis Fund

Deadline: September 30, 2025

Funding: Up to $75,000

Purpose:
The Morton Cure Paralysis Fund (MCPF) is committed to developing effective therapies (cures) for paralysis associated with spinal cord injury and other disorders of the central nervous system.

MCPF funds activities that hold promise of identifying therapies (cures) for paralysis in humans. MCPF has particular focus of placing projects in the research pipeline, that is, enabling scientists to develop the proof concept data necessary to apply for larger NIH grants. The development of effective therapies for chronic injury is a high priority for the organization. Basic research will be supported if it has clear potential to accelerate progress at the applied end of the continuum and/or if it reflects innovative research or a "change of direction."

Eligibility:
Qualified scientists at capable institutions will be considered for grant applications. Either senior scientists or postdoctoral fellows may serve as principal investigators.

Whitehall Foundation

Deadline: October 1, 2025, letter of intent. If invited, Full application due February 15, 2026

Funding:
Up to $300,000. The maximum budget is $100,000 per year for the two- and three-year research grants.

Purpose:
Research grants are available to established scientists of all ages working at accredited institutions in the United States. Applications will be judged on the scientific merit and the innovative aspects of the proposal, as well as on the competence of the applicant. Research grants of up to three years will be provided. A renewal grant with a maximum of two years is possible, but it will be awarded on a competitive basis. Research grants will not be awarded to investigators who have already received, or expect to receive, substantial support from other sources, even if it is for an unrelated purpose.

Eligibility
The applicant must meet all of the following eligibility requirements in order to participate in the application process:

• Appropriate title – must be an assistant professor (or higher). If the institution does not use this title, a letter from the department chair confirming the applicant's eligibility is required.
• Status – must hold principal investigator status.
• Independence – must be considered an independent investigator with their own dedicated lab space or with lab space independent of another investigator.
• The foundation does not fund investigators who have substantial (more than $200,000 per year) extramural funding calculated as total direct funds per year less any PI salary/fringe taken from these grants. If this amount is greater than $200,000 the PI is not eligible for Whitehall Foundation funding. As of December 1, 2024, the Foundation no longer includes indirect funding in the extramural funding calculation.
• Startup funds and internal funding should be disclosed but are not included in the extramural funding calculation.

Grants in Aid
The Grants-in-Aid program is designed for researchers at the assistant professor level who experience difficulty in competing for research funds because they have not yet become firmly established. Grants-in-Aid can also be made to senior scientists. All applications will be judged on the scientific merit and innovative aspects of the proposal, as well as on past performance and evidence of the applicant’s continued productivity. Grants-in-Aid are awarded for a one-year period and do not exceed $30,000.

Applicants for the Grants-in-Aid program are reviewed and ranked together with the traditional research grant program. This program is not a pre-requisite to a two- or three-year research grant. The majority of the applications received are for a three-year research grant.

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Campbell Foundation — LIMITED SUBMISSION

Deadline:
LOIs are accepted during January, April, July and October of each year. Due to our funding limitations, we are only able to consider LOIs from one research team at any given institution within a one-year time frame.

Funding:
Most grant funding is between $60,000 to $100,000. The foundation has co-funded and has provided partial funding for more costly research projects.

Purpose:
The Campbell Foundation invites letters of intent for its research grants that support novel research relevant to the HIV community at large within five to seven years from date of completion.

It was Mr. Zahn's wish that his private, independent foundation support nonprofit organizations conducting clinical, laboratory-based research into the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS, and related conditions and illnesses.

Eligibility:
Funding is restricted to those organizations providing proof of IRS 501(c)(3) status. Applications are not accepted from individuals or for-profit entities.

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CurePSP

Deadline: October 15, 2025 at 5 p.m.

Funding: Up to $100,000 for one- or two-year studies

Career Stage: Early career

Purpose:
CurePSP will fund studies on PSP (progressive supranuclear palsy) and CBD (corticobasal degeneration) through two avenues, the pathway grants or pipeline grants program.

Pathway grants support projects studying the fundamental neurobiology of PSP and CBD.  A more complete understanding of the underlying basic science and mechanisms of PSP and CBD will improve understanding of the diseases and provide the foundation for future treatments. Studies focusing on mechanisms common to multiple neurogenerative conditions are strongly encouraged. Examples of pathway grant topics include (but are not limited to) tau biology and pathobiology, epigenetics and epigenomics, synaptic dysfunction/loss and pruning, neuroinflammation, organoids, or other underlying mechanisms of PSP or CBD.

Pipeline grants support translational projects focusing on new therapeutics and biomarkers for PSP and CBD. These projects will accelerate the development of therapeutics that have the potential to prevent, treat or cure PSP and CBD by accelerating the translation of basic science discoveries into novel therapeutics. Examples of pipeline grant topics include (but are not limited to) symptomatic drug trials, diagnostic markers, or rehabilitation strategies for motor and nonmotor deficits.

Eligibility:
The Pathway and Pipeline program is open to early career investigators. For the purposes of this grant, early career investigators include those with job titles such as assistant professor, research assistant professor or equivalent independent research position. Postdoctoral fellows and medical fellows are eligible to apply, provided this project is intended to support a transition to an independent research career.

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McKnight Foundation
Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award

Deadline
October 15, 2025, 5 p.m. CT

Purpose
The McKnight Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award (NBD Award) assists scientists working to apply the knowledge achieved through basic research to human brain disorders, and who demonstrate a commitment to equitable and inclusive lab environments.

Funding
Each year, up to four awards are given. Awards provide $100,000 per year for three years. Funds may be used toward a variety of research activities. They may not be used for the recipient’s salary.

Eligibility
A candidate for a McKnight Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award must work as an independent investigator at a not-for-profit research institution in the United States, must have held a tenured or tenure-track faculty position for at least three years, and must wait at least one year before reapplying after two unsuccessful applications.

Those holding other titles such as research professor, adjunct professor, professor research track, visiting professor or instructor are not eligible.

There is no limit for how many applications we can receive from the same institution.

Changes to the Application for 2026

• Instead of a two-stage application with letter of interest, McKnight is asking for one five-page proposal.
• Instead of a biosketch, the committee would like to see a CV.
• Applicants now must have held a tenured or tenure-track faculty position for at least three years, and must wait at least one year before reapplying after two unsuccessful applications.
• You can no longer apply for both a Scholar Award and the Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award in the same year.
• The 2026 NBD award now starts on July 1, 2026, instead of August 1.

Melanoma Research Alliance

Deadline: November 6, 2025

Funding: Up to $100,000 (up to $50,000 per year for two years)

Career Stage: Mid-career to established in field

Purpose:
Pilot Awards support senior investigators who propose potentially transformative ideas that do not have extensive preliminary data but articulate a clear hypothesis and translational goals. Resources for such "high-risk, high-reward" projects are important to establish proof-of-concept, which may then leverage additional funding through more traditional avenues.

Eligibility:

• Applicants must be a senior investigator, past the initial five years of their first academic faculty appointment
• Applicants must hold a full-time faculty appointment at the level of assistant professor (or equivalent) or above.

Elsa U. Pardee Foundation

Deadline: December 15, 2025

Funding:
By design, there are no limits set on the amount that can be requested. It must be reasonably supported by the scope of the project outlined in the application. Indirect costs cannot exceed 5% of the total amount requested. Projects are supported for one year.

Career Stage/Eligibility:
Investigators who are on the tenure track and have a tenured mentor are eligible. Priority is given to researchers at nonprofit institutions in the United States who are new to the field of cancer research, or to established research investigators examining new approaches to cancer cure.

Purpose:
The Elsa U. Pardee Foundation funds research to investigators in United States nonprofit institutions proposing research directed toward identifying new treatments or cures for cancer. The foundation funds projects for a one-year period, which will allow the establishment of capabilities of new cancer researchers or new cancer approaches by established cancer researchers. It is anticipated that this early-stage funding by the foundation may lead to subsequent and expanded support using government agency funding. Project relevance to cancer detection, treatment, or cure should be clearly identified.

Cancer Research Institute
Lloyd J. Old STAR Program

Deadline: January 15, 2026

Funding: $1.2M; funding is over a five-year period (up to $250,000 per year) to tenure-track assistant professors (minimum three years) and associate professors (maximum three years).

Career Stage: Mid-career

Purpose:
Provides long-term funding to mid-career scientists, giving them the freedom and flexibility to pursue high-risk, high-reward research at the forefront of discovery and innovation in cancer immunotherapy. Grants are not tied to a specific research project, but rather support outstanding researchers based on the quality and promise of their overall work.

Eligibility:

• The applicant must have an MD, PhD or MD/PhD (or equivalent)
• Applicants must belong to one of the following categories as of July 1 (following the deadline):
  • Tenure-track assistant professor with a minimum of three years in this position (for Jan. 15, 2026, deadline, must be appointed on or before July 1, 2023)
  • Tenure-track associate professor with a maximum of three years in this position (for Jan. 15, 2026, deadline, must be appointed on or after July 1, 2023)
  • Adjunct or acting positions are not eligible.
  • Applicants are expected to commit a minimum of 80% of their time to conducting research.

Cardiovascular Medical Research and Education Fund
Improving the Treatment of Pulmonary Diseases

Deadline: Rolling

Funding:
Preference will be given to proposals that have budgets below $100,000 and timelines less than two years.

Purpose:
The CMREF mission of the fund is to support educational activities that will enhance the knowledge of pulmonary hypertension and research projects that may help uncover the causes and pathogenesis of idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) in pursuit of the ultimate goal of its treatment and cure. The CMREF does not have a formal application process to fund clinical research or educational projects but is always interested in potentially providing full or partial support to initiatives that are novel, innovative or address the spectrum of unmet medical needs related to pulmonary vascular diseases.

Interested parties should submit a letter of intent (maximum of two pages) that describes the project sufficiently so that the Research Advisory Committee can understand the proposed goals and methods. In addition, the letter should mention the length of time of the project and an estimated overall budget.

How to Apply:
To submit your letter, please use the form on this page. Please be sure to fill out all fields and upload your letter before submitting. You can also email your letter directly to Patt Wolfe (executive director) at patt.wolfe@ipahresearch.org.

After you submit your letter, the CMREF will respond within four weeks to inform you if a full application will be requested.

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American Federation for Aging Research
Medical Student Training in Aging Research (MSTAR) Program

Deadline:
Interested students should be in touch directly with the National Training Centers to for the program deadline and application materials.

Funding:
The stipend level is approximately $1,980 per month; actual amounts will vary based on the specific appointment period of individual students. Award period: Eight to 12 weeks.

Purpose:
The MSTAR Program provides medical students with an enriching experience in aging-related research and geriatrics, with the mentorship of top experts in the field. This program introduces students to research and academic experiences early in their training that they might not otherwise have during medical school. Positive experiences in the MSTAR program have led many physicians-in-training to pursue academic careers in aging, ranging from basic science to clinical research to health services research. They have joined the growing cadre of physicians and scientists whose specialized knowledge and skills are in great demand as our population ages.

Students participate in an eight- to twelve-week (or two- to three-month, depending on the training site) structured research, clinical and didactic program in geriatrics, appropriate to their level of training and interests. Research projects are offered in basic, translational, clinical or health services research relevant to older people. Most scholars will do their training and research during the summer months. They will also be invited to submit an abstract to present a poster at the annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society.

Eligibility

• Any allopathic or osteopathic medical student in good standing, who will have successfully completed one year of medical school at a U.S. institution by June 2024. Evidence of good standing must be provided by the medical school registrar or dean when the student is notified of receiving the award.
• Applicants must be citizens or non-citizen nationals of the United States, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence (i.e., in possession of a currently valid Alien Registration Receipt Card I-551, or some other legal verification of such status). Individuals on temporary or student visas are not eligible. Due to NIA restrictions, individuals holding PhD, MD, DVM or equivalent doctoral degrees in the health sciences are not eligible to apply to do the MSTAR Program.
• Additionally, applicants receiving a stipend or salary support from a federal source are not eligible for this program. Applicants may not hold another award or participate in another program concurrently with the MSTAR program, and must participate in the program full-time for a minimum of eight weeks and a maximum of 12 weeks.

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Infectious Diseases Society of America
Grants for Emerging Researchers/Clinicians Mentorship Program

Career Stage: Medical Students

Amount: Not specified

Deadline: Ongoing

Description
The G.E.R.M. Program was developed to provide grants to medical students to support a longitudinal, mentored clinical learning and/or research project for up to a year on infectious diseases-related topics, including HIV, under the mentorship of an IDSA or HIVMA member. This program replaced the IDSA Medical Scholars and HIVMA Medical Students Programs.

Eligibility

• Graduate students
• Applicants must be medical students (first-, second- or third-year and those in combined degree programs, including MD/MPH and MD/PhD) from an accredited allopathic or osteopathic medical school in the U.S.

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