Best Alzheimer's and Dementia Research Grants in Wisconsin

Postdoctoral trainees, fellows, clinical fellows, and research associates at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health can apply for up to US $20,000 to support a single research, education, or professional development project. Funding can advance work in areas like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, improving health, health care, or health equity in Wisconsin.

Nonprofit and government organizations in Wisconsin supporting people with dementia or healthy aging initiatives can apply for Bader Philanthropies’ Alzheimer’s & Healthy Aging Grant. Funding supports services and supports for Alzheimer’s and other dementias, critical needs for older adults, healthy aging programs, education and training, and retirement and older adult employment efforts.

Interdisciplinary faculty teams at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health conducting innovative health research or education projects in Wisconsin can apply for University of Wisconsin Madison’s Collaborative Health Sciences Program, with awards up to US $600,000. Projects may include Alzheimer’s and dementia studies that advance diagnosis, treatment, health care delivery, or health equity for Wisconsinites.

BrightFocus Foundation offers Alzheimer's Disease Research Grants to support innovative research aimed at understanding, preventing, and treating Alzheimer's disease. These grants encourage applications from diverse backgrounds, fostering creativity in scientific research. The program includes Standard Awards for early investigators with a maximum funding of $300,000 for three years and Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards for young researchers at $200,000 for two years, promoting the development of independent research careers.

The JTMF Foundation Grant focuses on improving the lives of individuals in need, particularly in the Pacific Northwest. By partnering with organizations addressing immediate needs and long-term challenges, the foundation supports children, older adults, veterans, and individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Guided by Catholic values, JTMF aims to empower communities while seeking innovative solutions to societal issues. Organizations that align with these focus areas are encouraged to connect, fostering a collaborative effort towards meaningful impact.

Nonprofit AFA member organizations in Wisconsin providing Alzheimer’s or dementia programs can apply for Alzheimer’s Foundation of America’s bi-annual grants, awarding US $6,000 for direct services and support. Funding can cover administrative costs, staff salaries and training, occupancy, and supplies or equipment to improve quality of life for affected individuals and caregivers.

Universities, research institutions, and similar organizations conducting Alzheimer’s and dementia research can access funding to build postbaccalaureate research education programs, with awards up to US $400,000. Grants from US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health support intensive one-to-two-year AD/ADRD research experiences and mentoring, including sites in Wisconsin and other eligible U.S. locations.

Wisconsin organizations that run summer Alzheimer’s and dementia research education for high school or undergraduate students, or science teachers, can access funding through the National Institutes of Health. This NIA R25 program offers up to US $200,000 for hands-on AD/ADRD research experiences and complementary educational activities that build the future dementia research workforce.

Early-career Alzheimer’s and dementia researchers, including those based in Wisconsin, can apply for Alzheimer’s Association Research Grant For All (AARGA) awards of US $70,000 - US $200,000 to launch independent projects. Funding supports preliminary or pilot work across basic, translational, clinical, psychosocial, neuroimaging, epidemiology, care, or health equity research, in the U.S. and internationally.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations operating at least two years and supporting older adults with dementia or brain degenerative diseases in Wisconsin can seek funding to advance care, support, and quality of life. The Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation supports innovative aging-related programs through a required LOI process before full applications.

Postdoctoral researchers in Alzheimer’s and dementia-related fields, including those based in Wisconsin, can apply for the Alzheimer’s Association Research Fellowship for All, offering up to US $200,000 to advance their work. With a mission to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias, the Alzheimer’s Association supports early-career scientists, especially those from underrepresented groups, toward independent research careers.

Clinician scientists conducting Alzheimer’s and dementia research, including those in Wisconsin, can apply for fellowships from the Alzheimer’s Association. With a mission to end Alzheimer’s and other dementias, the Association provides up to US $250,000 to support licensed, practicing clinicians pursuing patient-focused or diagnostic research, with encouragement for applicants from underrepresented groups.

Alzheimer’s-focused nonprofit member organizations of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America in Wisconsin can apply for the Anne & Irving Brodsky Innovation Grant, awarding US $25,000 for innovative programs improving life for individuals with Alzheimer’s or related dementias and their families. Funding can cover administrative costs, staff salaries and training, travel, occupancy, supplies, and equipment.

Public safety agencies in Wisconsin that are AFA and Project Lifesaver International members can receive US $6,000 to support wandering prevention and other dementia-related public safety initiatives. Alzheimer’s Foundation of America provides funding for administrative costs, staff training, supplies, equipment, and community education to protect individuals living with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias.

Wisconsin organizations providing dementia and Alzheimer’s respite care can use this grant to fund respite care scholarships, including supplies, equipment, capacity building, administrative costs, and staff training. Focused on caregiver support, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America awards US $6,000 twice yearly to its member organizations nationwide serving individuals and families affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Research institutions and teams conducting imaging research on Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases in Wisconsin can apply for the Alzheimer’s Association and American Society of Neuroradiology Imaging Research Grant; awards US $200,000 for early-stage pilot projects. Funding supports novel imaging tools and innovative imaging data analysis in dementia-focused studies.

Research institutions studying olfactory decline in aging or Alzheimer’s and related dementias in Wisconsin and nationwide can apply for National Institutes of Health R01 funding to investigate underlying mechanisms and circuit-level changes. Projects may use human or animal models and diverse methods, including cellular, molecular, imaging, physiological, omics, and new approach methodologies.

Research institutions studying dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in Wisconsin and across the U.S. can apply for National Institutes of Health funding to investigate cerebellar roles in cognitive and affective functions. This upcoming R01 opportunity supports basic, animal, human, secondary data, and intervention-target studies in healthy aging and AD/ADRD once applications open.

Families needing in-home care companions or respite aides for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the Boyertown Area School District can receive support for short-term care costs. Berks County Community Foundation’s Margaret B. Moeller Memorial Fund offers US $200 - US $3,000, which may help Wisconsin dementia-focused organizations advise or refer eligible families in this district.

Research institutions and investigators conducting Alzheimer’s and dementia drug discovery can apply for National Institutes of Health support for preclinical target validation and early-stage therapeutics, including small molecules and biologics. This U01 opportunity serves Wisconsin and other U.S. jurisdictions and may benefit labs advancing novel AD/ADRD treatment candidates.

Research institutions and investigator teams studying mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias can apply for National Institutes of Health consortium-style support, including Wisconsin-based groups. This “Center without Walls” initiative will fund interdisciplinary networks using advanced technologies, models, and clinical science to uncover novel ADRD mechanisms, therapeutic targets, biomarkers, and factors influencing susceptibility and resilience.

Research institutions studying how environmental and neural exposome factors affect Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias can apply for National Institutes of Health funding, including work in Wisconsin. This program from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke supports mechanistic, translational, and human subjects research on exposomic contributions to ADRD pathology, progression, resilience, and neurological health disparities across the lifespan.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) aims to support innovative research for validating therapeutic targets in Alzheimer's Disease-Related Dementias (ADRD). This initiative focuses on overcoming barriers in treatment development by ensuring well-validated targets linked to disease mechanisms. By employing a phased award mechanism, NINDS seeks to enhance the rigor of target validation, facilitating the transition from basic discoveries to clinical applications, ultimately accelerating the development of effective therapeutic strategies.

Health Services Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders (HSR-ADRD) Program

The HSR-ADRD program seeks to support research that strengthens dementia detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care pathways along the care continuum. Projects may address a range of health services research questions, including, but not limited to, studies examining barriers and solutions to timely access, quality, and care coordination. By supporting rigorous and innovative research, this program aims to generate actionable evidence to improve person-centered, coordinated, and equitable brain health and dementia care.

Program overview

The program welcomes proposals that utilize rigorous methodologies to advance understanding and improvement of cognitive impairment, including MCI and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (AD/ADRD) detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care.

This award is structured as an individual research grant, with funding administered through the recipient’s institution. Proposals should address one or more Areas of Focus. Areas of Focus represent high-priority research topics for which this program is actively seeking proposals and include: 

• The Value of Early Detection and Diagnosis: Studies should investigate outcomes associated with early detection and diagnosis on at least two levels of the dementia care ecosystem (i.e., individual/families, providers/clinicians, health systems/payers, and policy/society).
• Care Pathways for Individuals with MCI or Dementia: Studies should consider comorbidities and investigate how people are being screened and diagnosed in different settings, and the post-diagnosis pathways for care and treatment, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions or combinations thereof.

Funding overview

• Each HSR-ADRD award is limited to a total of $250,000 U.S. (direct and indirect costs) for a duration of up to two years (awards should be a minimum one year).
• Indirect costs are capped at 10 percent of total direct costs and are inclusive of indirect costs for the implementing institution as well as for any subcontracts.

The NIH Blueprint for Neuroscience Research Network aims to enhance foundational research on human consciousness, addressing critical biomedical issues such as coma and dementia. By fostering a collaborative framework among 14 NIH institutes, the initiative seeks to improve diagnosis and treatment of neurological disorders through interdisciplinary approaches. Key objectives include detecting consciousness in minimally responsive patients, enhancing understanding of sleep disorders, and exploring new methodologies. This effort will ultimately strengthen U.S. leadership in neuroscience and improve patient outcomes.

The DoW Alzheimer’s Transforming Research Award supports innovative research aimed at reducing the risk and preventing Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. It emphasizes projects that enhance understanding of risk factors and develop effective risk reduction strategies. Clinical research is permitted, but trials and animal studies are not. Collaboration and preliminary data are essential for proposal consideration, and an option for multiple principal investigators is available to foster partnerships.

The FY26 Alzheimer’s Research Program's Transforming Diagnosis Award (TrDA) promotes innovative research aimed at overcoming significant barriers to accurate diagnosis and monitoring of Alzheimer's disease. This award encourages community collaboration and requires preliminary data. It supports studies leveraging existing cohorts, especially those including individuals aged 65 and younger. The TrDA also offers a partnership option for multiple principal investigators, fostering collaborative research efforts while ensuring at least one independent investigator meets eligibility criteria.