Best Alzheimer's and Dementia Research Grants in Kansas

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation Innovator Awards aim to support innovative research in cognitive aging and memory loss, offering two 3-year grants of $750,000 each. Targeted at early-career investigators, the program encourages high-risk, high-gain proposals that explore clinical translational research and the biological mechanisms of cognitive aging. By fostering emerging scientific leaders, the initiative seeks to advance transformative discoveries in this critical area of aging research, enhancing understanding and treatment of age-related cognitive decline.

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.

Kansas nonprofit member organizations of the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America that run programs for people affected by Alzheimer’s or related dementias can receive US $6,000 bi-annual grants for program and operating costs. Allowable expenses include administrative costs, staff salaries and training, occupancy, and supplies or equipment supporting dementia-focused services and education.

Research institutions and education-focused organizations in Kansas and other U.S. jurisdictions can access funding to run intensive postbaccalaureate research education programs in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports one-to-two-year mentored research experiences, combining independent AD/ADRD projects with structured academic and professional development, with awards up to US $400,000.

Educational institutions and research organizations in Kansas can seek up to US $200,000 to run summer research education programs in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias for high school students, undergraduates, or science teachers. With a mission to expand the AD/ADRD workforce, the National Institutes of Health supports hands-on research and complementary STEM learning activities.

Kansas dementia and Alzheimer’s disease researchers, particularly early-career investigators within seven years of an Assistant Professor–level appointment, can access funding through the Alzheimer’s Association AARGA program. Awards of US $70,000 - US $200,000 support pilot and preliminary studies across basic, translational, clinical, psychosocial, and health equity research in Alzheimer’s and related dementias, with U.S. and international eligibility.

Kansas 501(c)(3) nonprofits supporting older adults with dementia and brain degenerative diseases can access funding through Sephardic Home for the Aged Foundation to advance care, support, and quality of life. Eligible organizations must be at least two years old and may propose innovative aging-related programs that improve outcomes for people affected by these conditions.

Postdoctoral researchers conducting Alzheimer’s and dementia research in Kansas can receive up to US $200,000 to advance understanding, diagnosis, or treatment. The Alzheimer’s Association Research Fellowship for All supports early career investigators working under established mentors, with individuals from underrepresented groups especially encouraged to apply as they develop independent research careers.

Clinician scientists conducting dementia and Alzheimer’s research in Kansas can access funding through the Alzheimer’s Association Clinician Scientist Fellowship for All, with awards up to US $250,000. Licensed, practicing clinicians in patient-care or diagnostic fields, including those from underrepresented groups, may receive support to advance their research careers.

With a mission to support Alzheimer’s care and research, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America provides Kansas dementia and Alzheimer’s nonprofits with US $25,000 for innovative programs improving life for individuals and families. Only AFA nonprofit member organizations are eligible, and funds may cover program-related staff, training, occupancy, supplies, equipment, and other allowable administrative costs.

Public safety agencies in Kansas that belong to both the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America and Project Lifesaver International can seek funding for dementia wandering prevention and related public safety initiatives. Focused on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, this program supports administrative costs, staff training, equipment, and community education and outreach for eligible agencies.

Nonprofit AFA member organizations providing Alzheimer’s and dementia respite care can apply for the Milton & Phyllis Berg Family Respite Care Grants in Kansas; awards are US $6,000 for respite care scholarships. Funding may cover supplies, equipment, capacity building, administrative expenses, and staff training to better support caregivers and individuals living with dementia.

Grants support biomedical imaging researchers advancing Alzheimer’s and dementia studies, including those based in Kansas, with US $200,000 for early-stage pilot projects. Grants from the Alzheimer’s Association help Kansas dementia and Alzheimer’s disease researchers develop novel imaging tools and innovative imaging data analysis for Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases over a one-year period.

Researchers studying aging, Alzheimer’s disease, and related dementias in Kansas can access funding via the National Institutes of Health to investigate mechanisms linking olfactory decline with these conditions. Projects may use human or animal models and diverse methods, including cellular, molecular, imaging, physiological, omics, and other innovative approaches.

Research institutions studying dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in Kansas can access funding via the National Institutes of Health to investigate cerebellar contributions to cognitive and affective functions in aging and AD/ADRD. This upcoming R01 Notice of Funding Opportunity welcomes basic, translational, and secondary data studies, including work on potential cerebellar intervention targets.

Families needing in-home Alzheimer’s or dementia care in the Boyertown Area School District can apply for Berks County Community Foundation’s Margaret B. Moeller Memorial Fund, with awards from US $200 - US $3,000 for respite companions or aides. Kansas organizations focused on dementia support may review this model but are not the direct beneficiaries.

Kansas Alzheimer’s and dementia researchers can access funding through the National Institutes of Health for preclinical validation and early-stage drug discovery. This upcoming NIA opportunity will support work on novel AD/ADRD therapeutic targets using small molecules, biologics, or emerging modalities, and encourages investigators to build collaborations and prepare responsive U01 research projects.

Research institutions and interdisciplinary consortia studying mechanisms of neurodegeneration in Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias can apply for National Institutes of Health “Center without Walls” support, including teams in Kansas. This NINDS program backs collaborative networks using advanced technologies, disease-relevant models, clinical science, and human specimens to uncover novel ADRD mechanisms, biomarkers, and therapeutic targets.

Research institutions studying how environmental and neural exposome factors affect Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias can apply for National Institutes of Health support, with projects allowed in Kansas and nationwide U.S. jurisdictions. Funding supports mechanistic, translational, and human subjects research on synergistic exposures, neural pathways, lifespan risk and resilience, and neurological health disparities, excluding NIH-defined clinical trials.

Research institutions and teams studying Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias in Kansas can apply for National Institutes of Health phased awards supporting comprehensive functional validation of new therapeutic targets. Funding backs development of technologies, models, and protocols, then milestone-based proof-of-concept studies to rigorously assess target modulation in relevant in vitro and in vivo disease models.

Researchers at institutions in Kansas studying dementia and Alzheimer’s disease care can apply for Alzheimer’s Association Health Services Research in Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders awards, offering up to US $250,000 for rigorous projects on detection, diagnosis, and post-diagnostic care pathways. Funding supports health services research to improve person-centered, coordinated, and equitable brain health care.

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.

The DoW Alzheimer’s Transforming Care Award aims to support innovative clinical research and trials enhancing dementia care for individuals with Alzheimer’s disease. This funding opportunity encourages collaborative partnerships and requires preliminary data, focusing on interventions that do not solely test pharmacological solutions. Community collaboration is essential, and studies leveraging existing cohorts, including those with younger participants, are encouraged. The award supports both new and existing partnerships among principal investigators.

The NIA Genetics of Alzheimer’s Disease Data Storage Site (NIAGADS) aims to create a secure, scalable cloud platform for genetic data related to Alzheimer’s disease. This initiative will enhance data accessibility, promote interoperability, and support rigorous research practices. By facilitating collaboration and providing robust analytical tools, the platform will maximize the scientific impact of AD/ADRD research, aligning with NIH goals for transparent and reproducible science, while addressing recommendations for broad access to high-value datasets.

Researchers and early-career scientists in Kansas working on Alzheimer’s and dementia research can apply for BrightFocus Foundation’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research Grants, awarding US $200,000 - US $300,000 for pioneering studies. Eligible MD/PhD investigators and postdoctoral fellows conduct projects that advance understanding, prevention, or treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, with strong encouragement for underrepresented researchers.