Learn about brain and cell research grants by browsing our curated list of top brain and cell research funders below. Members can also research funding opportunities using the search tool for GrantFinder. Become a member.

Key Funders

Funding Trends

As the population ages worldwide, rates of neurological disorders continue to rise. The World Health Organization estimates that 50 million people around the world are living with dementia, a number it expects to triple by 2050. The Parkinson’s Foundation calculates that close to 1 million Americans are living with Parkinson’s—a number that is likely to double by 2030.  

Philanthropy is playing a significant role in the fight against neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson and others like dementia. The Michael J. Fox Foundation is one of the most established such funders in this space, but new funders are emerging all the time from Google co-founder and billionaire Sergey Brin to collaborative funding arrangements, like the Tau Consortium, which focuses on understanding tau protein brain disorders, which includes Alzheimer's and more than 20 other conditions. 

At the same time, significant federal initiatives, including the BRAIN Initiative, which was developed to accelerate the development and application of new technologies focused on understanding brain cells and the complex neural circuits necessary for human thought. Federal research funding on the brain is being supplemented by others that are trying to understand linkages to the science of learning, brain development as well as mental health and wellness. The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF), for instance, is one of the larger funders in the chain of discovery around mental health and brain science. 

Beyond brain research is an emphasis on some big name funders on cellular science, particularly genomics. Like brain research, the goal is often to advance biological and medical research. For example, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative’s Human Cell Atlas project is funding projects around better understanding many of the body's 30 trillion cells. Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan aren't the only big league philanthropists interested in better understanding human cells. Paul Allen has created a new institute for cell science. And Eli and Edythe Broad have been the main benefactors of the Broad Institute, a key player in cell research.

Foundations

ACORDA THERAPEUTICS

Acorda Therapeutics doesn't have a philanthropic arm, but makes grants to support the study and education of neurological and nervous system disorders.

DR. MIRIAM AND SHELDON G. ADELSON MEDICAL RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation funds basic and clinical research into life-threatening illnesses. It’s grantmaking focused on brain and cell research is devoted to research into the repair and rehabilitation of damage to the brain, spinal cord, or nerves.

AINSLIE FOUNDATION

The Ainslie Foundation makes grants in a variety of areas but prioritizes support for education, health, and the environment.

DANNY ALBERTS FOUNDATION

The Danny Alberts Foundation’s brain research grants focus on bipolar disorder. In this area, the foundation has supported studies of clinical diagnosis, etiology and age of onset.

PAUL G. ALLEN FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Paul G. Allen Family Foundation support a wide range of brain and cell research projects.

RITA ALLEN FOUNDATION

Rita Allen Foundation grants for brain research go out broadly through the field, focusing on early-career scientists working in cancer, immunology, and neuroscience. 

ALLIANCE FOR CANCER GENE THERAPY

ACGT’s grantmaking for cell research focuses on supporting work that addresses various cancers.

ALS ASSOCIATION

Dedicates the majority of its funding to new drug discoveries and improved therapies toward the treatment of ALS. Grants are available to both new and established researchers.

AMERICAN BRAIN TUMOR ASSOCIATION

Funding all things brain tumor-related, the ABTA tends to focus its grantmaking on scientists and researchers who are just starting out their careers. 

AMERICAN FEDERATION FOR AGING RESEARCH

AFAR awards aging-focused grants, concentrating its funding support on helping people live longer and healthier lives.  

AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL FOUNDATION

APF's Grants support early, mid-level, and senior career scientists and investigators working in a number of mental health disciplines, including but not limited to psychology, psychoanalysis, neuropsychology, and perceptual-cognitive development.

AUTISM SCIENCE FOUNDATION

ASF supports autism researchers and organizations in the stages of pre- and post-doctoral training and early career. Priorities are genetics, treatment, public education, early diagnosis, and early intervention.

BAND FOUNDATION

This foundation’s brain research work centers on epilepsy research; in particular, Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) syndrome.

BD BIOSCIENCES

Grantseekers in neuroscience should look into the immunology program at BD Biosciences.

GEOFFREY BEENE FOUNDATION

Geoffrey Beene’s brain research and treatment support is focused on Alzheimer’s disease. The focus is on research for early-stage Alzheimer's, which is believed to be the key to prevention and treatment. 

BIOGEN FOUNDATION

Biogen funds a variety of work related to brain and cell research, including patient and medical education, as well as related fellowships.

WILLIAM K. BOWES, JR. FOUNDATION

William K. Bowes, Jr., is a San Francisco-based venture capitalist. His foundation prioritizes medical research, and organizations based in California. Universities have benefited from significant Bowes funding for research into a wide range of diseases.

BRAIN ANEURYSM FOUNDATION

This funder supports scientific research to improve early detection, treatment, and technological advances for patients suffering from brain aneurysms. Grants go to researchers throughout the U.S. and Canada.

BRAIN & BEHAVIOR RESEARCH FOUNDATION

This funder supports brain researchers working to alleviate suffering from mental illnesses. Most funding goes to young investigators for basic brain research, new technologies, and therapies to reduce symptoms of mental illness.

BRAIN RESEARCH FOUNDATION

The Brain Research Foundation’s grant making program funds researchers and scientists conducting innovative research in neuroscience and the treatment of neurological disorders.

BRAINNET FOUNDATION

BRAINnet is all about expanding the base of scientific knowledge to build a better understanding of the human brain. A huge focus of grantmaking, here, is to contribute to the prevention of brain-related disorders.

BRAIN TUMORS FUNDERS' COLLABORATIVE

The Brain Tumor Funders’ Collaborative tends to fund scientists solidly outside mainstream brain cancer research, but in a very specific area at a specific time. BTFC typically makes RFAs once every four years.

BRIGHT FOCUS FOUNDATION

The Bright Focus Foundation runs separate grantmaking programs for each of its target diseases, which focus on macular degeneration and Alzheimer’s.

BROACH FOUNDATION FOR BRAIN CANCER RESEARCH

This funder supports clinics and doctors working on promising brain cancer research to find treatments and a cure. Unsolicited grant applications are not accepted.

BROAD FOUNDATION

The Broad Foundation mainly directs cell research funding toward three stem cell research centers at University of California campuses at Los Angeles, San Francisco and Southern California.

CAPITAL GROUPS COMPANIES CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

The Capital Groups Companies Charitable Foundation funds brain and neurological organizations across the country.  

CHDI FOUNDATION

CHDI's brain research funding is centered on slowing the progression of Huntington’s disease and finding a cure. CHDI funds researchers, employs staff scientists, and partners with biotech companies.

CHILDHOOD BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION

CBTF awards grants annually to researchers for basic science and clinical research for pediatric brain tumors, programs and conferences. Funding goes to treatments, cures, and quality-of-life enhancements.

CHILD NEUROLOGY FOUNDATION

The Child Neurology Foundation invests in early career scientists who examine various aspects of child neurology and neurological disorders.

CITIZENS UNITED FOR RESEARCH IN EPILEPSY (CURE)

This funder awards grants to researchers working to treat epilepsy, uncover its causes, and find a cure. It offers three awards in two annual grant cycles, and a couple of other funding initiatives, too.

SHURL AND KAY CURCI FOUNDATION

Supports research in various disciplines, though most go to neuroscience. Most grants go to universities and medical institutions, with California-based sites favored.

CURE STARTS NOW FOUNDATION

Funds research into pediatric brain cancer, with particular concentration on diffuse Intrinsic pontine glioma. 

DANA FOUNDATION

Dana Foundation grants focus on neurological and brain-related research including neuroscience, neuroimmunology and brain and immuno imaging. 

EPILEPSY FOUNDATION

This is the largest nongovernmental funder of epilepsy research, and supports researchers at universities and corporations working to stop seizures, find a cure, and overcome daily challenges for patients.

LAUREN AND LEE FIXEL FAMILY FOUNDATION

The Fixel Family Foundation awards broad grants to support neurological research institutions and organizations across the United States.

FIREDOLL FOUNDATION

Firedoll’s grantmaking related to brain and cell research focuses on traumatic brain injuries.

MICHAEL J. FOX FOUNDATION

The Michael J. Fox Foundation wants to keep the Parkinson's drug development pipeline flowing. And it isn't afraid to back potentially high risk/high reward projects. 

GATES FOUNDATION

Since Gates does not have a grant program dedicated to brain research, in order to get a related grant from Gates, your research needs to line up with one of the foundation's global health initiatives. 

GATSBY CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

One of 17 nonprofits in the Sainsbury Family Charitable Trust, Gatsby's neuroscience grants go to theoretical and basic research, circuits and behavior, multidisciplinary consortia, and building centers for neuroscience research.

GHR FOUNDATION

This funder’s brain research funding centers on Alzheimer’s disease.

GLENN FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL RESEARCH

The Glenn Foundation supports biology research in gerontology and aging processes.

GROUP FOUNDATION FOR ADVANCING MENTAL HEALTH

This foundation makes brain research grants for studies on the impact of group therapy on the brain/ brain injuries are also eligible for funding.

CONRAD N. HILTON FOUNDATION

This funder’s brain research grantmaking is focused on finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and improving the quality of life for people suffering from MS. Grants are awarded to researchers and health practitioners.

HOWARD HUGHES MEDICAL INSTITUTE

HHMI awards a good number of biomedical research grants in the U.S. annually. It tends to favor projects that combine neuroscience and genetics in some way, and doesn't shy away from funding interdisciplinary efforts.

BEN & CATHERINE IVY FOUNDATION

The Ben and Catherine Ivy Foundation wants to double the life expectancy of people with brain cancer, but its ultimate goal is to cure brain cancer. 

JPB FOUNDATION

The JPB Foundation’s brain and cell research grantmaking currently focuses on Parkinson’s disease.

KAVLI FOUNDATION

The signature program is the Kavli Prize, made to researchers in astrophysics, nanoscience, and neuroscience every other year, with a cash award of $1 million.

F.M. KIRBY FOUNDATION

Kirby provides support for very selective and specific brain initiatives, with such funding often channeled through major hospitals. 

MATTHEW LARSON FOUNDATION FOR PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMORS

This funder supports medical and scientific research to find a cure for brain and spinal tumors. It was established by the mother of a child who lost his life to this disease.

LEON LEVY FOUNDATION

The Leon Levy Foundation runs five neuroscience fellowship programs at hospitals and medical centers around New York City. It gives deeply and narrowly, and likes supporting early-career scientists.

NANCY LURIE MARKS FAMILY FOUNDATION

This funder supports a variety of autism-related endeavors, including neuroimaging, genetics, conferences, treatments, advocacy, anatomy & physiology, communications, and cellular and molecular mechanisms.

MATHERS CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

Mathers is a relatively small foundation that supports "established researchers at top universities and independent research institutions" in the U.S.

JAMES S. MCDONNELL FOUNDATION

McDonnell's three main areas of focus are Understanding Human Cognition, Studying Complex Systems, and Mathematical and Complex Systems Approaches for Brain Cancer.

McKNIGHT FOUNDATION

Grantseekers should expect an extremely high level of competition from Ph.D.s working at some of the most prestigious academic institutions in the United States. 

ROBERT AND JANICE MCNAIR FOUNDATION

McNair’s grantmaking for brain and cell research overlaps significantly with its disease funding.

MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION

The foundation has expressed interest in supporting initiatives and programs that involve assessment or evaluation of their effectiveness with an eye to replication or expansion of successful programs.

MENTAL HEALTH RESEARCH ASSOCIATION

The association also addresses conditions not strictly considered mental illnesses, such as Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis.

MINDEROO FOUNDATION

This Australian funder gives for brain cancer research at the international level.

NATIONAL BRAIN TUMOR SOCIETY

The National Brain Tumor Society awards grants to advance the pace of brain tumor drug development and discovery.  

NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

The NIMH is the largest supporter of research on mental disorders in the world. In addition to research, the Institute makes grants for education, conferences, clinical trials and the development of new technologies.

NATIONAL MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS SOCIETY

NMSS awards grants to support multiple sclerosis studies through grants for research, training, pilot research, commercial funding, patient management/care/rehabilitation research, and health care delivery/policy research.

ORGANIZATION FOR AUTISM RESEARCH

OAR funds research pilot studies that investigate issues that affect autistic individuals and those that care for them. Grants are awarded up to $30,000 for professional researchers, doctoral students, and master’s students.

PEDIATRIC BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION

This major funder of research into pediatric brain cancer backs a wide range of scientists and research areas, from basic biology of the diseases to treatments. A must-know for scientists working in the field.

PEW CHARITABLE TRUSTS

Pew names biomedical research as a subtopic of its health program.

THOMAS SCATTERGOOD FOUNDATION

The Scattergood Foundation’s Grantmaking supports programs that seek to “disrupt our current behavioral health space and create impact at the individual, organizational, and societal levels.”

SIMONS FOUNDATION

The Simons Foundation awards brain research grants on autism spectrum disorders and postdoctoral fellowships related to how neural activity produces cognition.  

GARY SINISE FOUNDATION

The Gary Sinise Foundation supports military and veterans’ organizations, especially in the areas of mental health, brain research and human services. It also runs signature programs for disabled veterans and the families of fallen heroes. Funding also goes to fire fighting and other first response organizations across the U.S.

SONTAG FOUNDATION

The Sontag Foundation awards four-year grants to promising early-career scientists in order to advance their research and help them establish their labs. 

SOUTHEASTERN BRAIN TUMOR FOUNDATION

This funder supports researchers who are working on clinical trials to find treatments and a cure for brain tumors. The geographic focus is the Southeastern U.S.

NANCY TAYLOR FOUNDATION FOR CHRONIC DISEASES

Taylor backs a wide range of brain and neurological research. Typically makes a small number of good-sized grants annually.

JOHN TEMPLETON FOUNDATION

Grants for brain and cell research stem mainly from Templeton’s genetics initiative, which prioritizes research that is unorthodox or unlikely to receive funding from traditional sources.

VERIZON FOUNDATION

Verizon supports a variety of brain research projects and organizations across the United States.

WATERLOO FOUNDATION

The Waterloo Foundation funds organizations that research Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Rolandic Epilepsy.

WELLCOME TRUST

The UK-based Wellcome Trust invests in a wide range of science research that investigates the biomedical, population health, humanities, and social sciences. 

WHITEHALL FOUNDATION

Supports brain research into mechanisms of behavior. Grants primarily go to principal investigators not receiving substantial federal support, particularly early-career scientists and senior scientists entering new fields of study.

THE CHAN ZUCKERBERG INITIATIVE

CZI’s funding for brain and cell research centers on two programs: the CZI Neurodegeneration Challenge Network, which seeks to research and develop new methods for treating and preventing neurodegenerative diseases, and the Science in Society program, which works to shrink the distance between scientific research and the communities it seeks to benefit. 

Additional Resources

Grantmakers in Health.


Notable Regional Funders