Best Alzheimer's and Dementia Research Grants in Minnesota

Minnesota organizations experienced in Alzheimer’s and dementia outreach can apply for Minnesota Department of Health’s Alzheimer’s Awareness Grant, awarding US $20,000 - US $80,000 for public information campaigns. Funding supports implementation-ready strategies to promote early detection, cognitive testing, and awareness of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Dementias, especially in disproportionately impacted communities.

Minnesota nonprofits with budgets over $1 million can seek up to US $1,000,000 for multi-year, community-led health equity initiatives, including aging health services and dementia or Alzheimer’s programs. Medica Foundation’s Esther Tomljanovich Strategic Initiatives support large-scale, systemic projects that improve access, workforce, and care quality over two to three years.

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.

Minnesota nonprofits that are AFA member organizations and run programs for people affected by Alzheimer’s or related dementias can access funding through the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America; awards are US $6,000. Grants support new or existing services, including administrative costs, staff salaries and training, occupancy, and necessary supplies or equipment.

Universities, research institutions, and similar organizations in Minnesota and other U.S. jurisdictions can secure 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 offers up to US $400,000 to support mentored, hands-on AD/ADRD research and professional development for recent graduates.

Research institutions and education-focused organizations in Minnesota can apply for 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 enrichment activities.

Minnesota Alzheimer’s and dementia researchers, including early-career investigators, can access funding through the Alzheimer’s Association to support projects across basic, translational, clinical, and psychosocial research. U.S. and international applicants may request US $70,000 - US $200,000 to generate pilot data, test procedures, and build hypotheses that position them for future large-scale funding.

Minnesota nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status working on dementia and brain degenerative disease care can access funding through Sephardic Home For The Aged Foundation to improve support and quality of life for older adults. Eligible organizations must be at least two years old and submit an LOI before being invited to a full application.

Postdoctoral researchers working on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in Minnesota can seek funding to advance understanding, diagnosis, or treatment. The Alzheimer’s Association supports early-career investigators worldwide through its Research Fellowship for All program, offering up to US $200,000 and encouraging applications from individuals from underrepresented groups in Alzheimer’s and related dementia research.

Clinician scientists practicing in patient-facing or diagnostic fields and conducting dementia and Alzheimer’s research in Minnesota can access funding through the Alzheimer’s Association, with awards up to US $250,000. Grants from Alzheimer’s Association help support training and career development for clinicians, including those from underrepresented groups, pursuing Alzheimer’s and related dementia research.

With a mission to support individuals and families affected by dementia, Alzheimer’s Foundation of America provides Minnesota Alzheimer’s-focused nonprofits with US $25,000 for innovative programs improving quality of life. Only AFA nonprofit member organizations may apply, and funds can cover program-related staffing, training, administration, occupancy, supplies, equipment, and travel.

Public safety agencies in Minnesota that are AFA and Project Lifesaver International members can seek US $6,000 to support dementia wandering prevention and related public safety initiatives. Focused on dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America funds administrative costs, staff training, equipment, and community education for these programs.

Nonprofit AFA member organizations providing dementia and Alzheimer’s respite care can apply for the Milton & Phyllis Berg Family Respite Care Grants, awarding US $6,000 to support respite care scholarships. Funding may cover supplies, equipment, capacity building, administrative expenses, and staff training for Minnesota programs serving individuals and caregivers affected by Alzheimer’s and related dementias.

Academic and medical research institutions conducting imaging research on Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases in Minnesota can seek funding to develop novel imaging tools and innovative imaging data analysis. Grants from the Alzheimer’s Association help Minnesota dementia and Alzheimer’s researchers launch early-stage pilot projects, with awards of US $200,000 over one year, in partnership with the American Society of Neuroradiology.

Minnesota Alzheimer’s and dementia research institutions studying olfactory decline in aging and Alzheimer’s disease may be eligible for this upcoming R01 Notice of Funding Opportunity. Focused on mechanisms linking smell loss with aging and dementia, the National Institutes of Health invites investigators to prepare collaborative, mechanistic research projects using human or animal models.

Researchers studying dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in Minnesota can apply for National Institute on Aging R01 funding to investigate cerebellar contributions to cognitive and affective functions in healthy aging and AD/ADRD. Projects may use human or animal studies, secondary data analyses, or explore cerebellar-targeted interventions to enhance cognitive reserve or delay disease onset.

Families needing in-home respite care for loved ones with Alzheimer’s or other dementias in the Boyertown Area School District can apply for the Margaret B. Moeller Memorial Fund, awarding US $200 - US $3,000 for home care companions or aides. Minnesota dementia-focused nonprofits may note this as a model but are not geographically eligible.

Minnesota Alzheimer’s and dementia researchers can access funding through the US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health for preclinical validation and early-stage drug discovery. This upcoming U01 opportunity from the National Institute on Aging supports work on novel therapeutic targets using small molecules, biologics, or emerging modalities for AD and related dementias.

Research institutions studying Alzheimer’s disease-related dementias mechanisms, including those in Minnesota, can apply for National Institutes of Health support to form interdisciplinary “Center without Walls” consortia. These collaborative networks investigate ADRD neurodegeneration using advanced technologies, disease-relevant models, and clinical science, with one awardee serving as a coordinating center for data sharing and cross-site rigor.

Research institutions studying Alzheimer’s and dementia mechanisms, including those in Minnesota, can apply for National Institutes of Health support to investigate how neural exposome factors drive ADRD pathology and resilience. Projects should examine synergistic effects of exposures like toxins, sleep, stress, and related mechanisms such as microbiome–brain interactions, neuroimmune signaling, or epigenetic changes 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.

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.