Best Neuroscience Grants in Puerto Rico

Research institutions and principal investigators with fully equipped labs conducting basic neuroscience and related life science research can apply for grants from the Mathers Charitable Foundation; awards support transformative basic science with translational potential. U.S.-based institutions, including those collaborating with Puerto Rico organizations, may be eligible if they directly support their own investigators.

Early-career, tenure-track neuroscience faculty at degree-granting institutions in Puerto Rico and across the U.S. and Canada can receive Sloan Research Fellowships to support fundamental research. Focused on advancing fields like neuroscience, the Alfred P Sloan Foundation provides two-year, US $75,000 flexible awards for research expenses, including staffing, travel, lab costs, equipment, or summer salary.

Puerto Rico neuroscience and healthcare-focused nonprofits, hospitals, universities, and other 501(c)(3), (c)(4), or (c)(6) organizations can access funding for scientific, medical, and educational initiatives. Amgen Foundation supports U.S. healthcare donations for activities like fellowships, patient education, scholarships, and non-accredited scientific meetings in areas including neuroscience, epidemiology, and related biomedical research and education.

Independent faculty investigators at U.S. nonprofit research institutions conducting neuroscience and brain disorder research, including work relevant to Puerto Rico, can apply for the McKnight Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award. The McKnight Foundation provides up to US $300,000 over three years for innovative, collaborative studies on neurological and psychiatric disease mechanisms and potential therapies.

Grants from The McKnight Foundation help Puerto Rico neuroscience researchers at U.S. not-for-profit institutions fund early-career work on learning and memory disorders. Eligible assistant professors with under four years in rank can receive US $225,000 over three years for salaries, equipment, supplies, and other direct research costs, excluding indirect costs.

Universities and research institutions in Puerto Rico conducting basic social psychology or social and affective neuroscience research can access funding through the National Science Foundation. The Social Psychology Program supports theoretically grounded, empirically based projects that advance understanding of human social behavior and demonstrate strong broader impacts for society, research infrastructure, and participation in science.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations working on cardiovascular and metabolic health in Puerto Rico can apply for funding to improve patient access, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline health workforces. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine supports education, caregiver support, advocacy, and disparity-reduction programs, which may benefit neuroscience-related initiatives that intersect with stroke prevention and vascular protection.

The Therapeutic Giving program by Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine focuses on enhancing patient access to treatment in cardiovascular and metabolism areas. Nonprofit organizations classified as 501(c)(3) are eligible to apply for funding. The program emphasizes innovative initiatives that address healthcare disparities and improve patient outcomes through education, advocacy, and support services. Applications are evaluated based on design, capacity, and potential impact, with a preference for programs over event-based funding.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running immunology-related programs can seek funding to improve patient access, advance health equity, and strengthen frontline health workforces, including work in Puerto Rico. Grants from Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine support disease awareness, caregiver support, early intervention, and services for conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, psoriasis, arthritis, and related immune system diseases.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running oncology-related patient support or access-to-care programs can access funding through Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine to serve communities in Puerto Rico and nationwide. Grants may support patient and caregiver education, direct services, transportation and lodging, workforce training, and efforts to reduce cancer care disparities in areas like leukemia, lymphoma, lung, prostate, and other listed cancers.

Puerto Rico neuroscience and mental health nonprofits can access funding through Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine for programs improving access to care, advancing health equity, and strengthening frontline health workforces. Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations may propose initiatives in areas like Alzheimer’s disease, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, crisis intervention, stigma reduction, or criminal justice-related mental health education.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations running neuroscience and mental health programs can seek support to improve patient access, equity, and frontline care in Puerto Rico and nationwide. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine supports initiatives in areas like Alzheimer’s, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, crisis intervention, and stigma reduction, prioritizing innovative programs with measurable outcomes over event-based requests.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations improving pulmonary arterial hypertension care and access in Puerto Rico can seek funding for programs and services. Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine supports early diagnosis, patient and caregiver education, empowerment tools, workforce skill-building, and efforts to reduce health disparities and strengthen health systems for people living with this condition.

Early-career neuroscience researchers at U.S. medical schools, academic hospitals, or research institutes can apply for the Warren Alpert Foundation’s Distinguished Scholars Award through nomination by their dean or chief research officer. Puerto Rico–based institutions with eligible MD or PhD postdoctoral scholars may nominate one candidate engaged in basic or clinical neuroscience research.

Nonprofit or for-profit organizations hosting neuroscience or brain health education and awareness events in Puerto Rico can apply for sponsorship support from the Lundbeck US Charitable Fund. Eligible activities include walks, community education events, or conferences that align with neurological and psychiatric disease focus areas and offer sponsor benefits such as exhibits, advertising, or branding.

Grants supporting U.S.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofits conducting civic science media projects can help Puerto Rico neuroscience and science-communication collaborations build short-term pilot initiatives. Awards up to US $15,000 from Montclair State University fund projects that connect scientists, media, and communities, with priority areas including neuroscience, artificial intelligence, and climate science, plus coaching and support for impactful engagement.