Friends of BrainHealth Research Grants

Friends of BrainHealth Research Grants is sponsored by Friends of BrainHealth (affiliated with Center for BrainHealth). This funding mechanism supports clinicians and scientists affiliated with the Center for BrainHealth who are researching brain health with the goal of understanding, protecting, and optimizing the human brain. For 2026, projects advancing dementia-related research are sought.

Friends of BrainHealth Research Grants Friends of BrainHealth Grant Opportunity Applications Now Open: Due Friday, July 31, 2026 Now in its 18th year, the Friends of BrainHealth make this funding mechanism available to support clinicians and scientists of any rank, affiliated with Center for BrainHealth , who are researching brain health with the goal of understanding, protecting, and optimizing the human brain.

For the 2026 grant application cycle, we are seeking projects that will advance dementia-related research and help position Center for BrainHealth to compete for anticipated Dementia Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (DPRIT) funding.

There are two award categories: Visionary Scientist Award: faculty or independent scientists at Center for BrainHealth Emerging Scientist Award: graduate students, post doctoral fellows and post graduates who have received their degrees within the last two years, working at Center for BrainHealth Multidisciplinary collaborations with other UT Dallas departments or other UT schools are encouraged, provided the Principal Investigator is primarily affiliated with Center for BrainHealth.

Applications are due to Cindy Samuelsen (in one optimized PDF) by 5:00 p. m. July 31, 2026 .

Please email Cindy with any questions. Find more information on the Friends of BrainHealth donor circle – a group of ardent supporters who make significant financial contributions toward furthering important BrainHealth research. Find key details about the 2026 Friends of BrainHealth Scientist Awards.

July 31, 2026 – Applications Due by 5 p. m.

CT August 2026 (date TBD) – Winners and Student Finalists Informed by Email September 28, 2026 – Research Presentations at the Ramona Jones Friends of BrainHealth Scientist Selection Luncheon October 2026 – Initial Funding of Awards October 31, 2028 – Deadline for Completed Projects and Final Report Submission Visionary Scientist Award The Visionary Scientist Award offers up to $25,000 in funds to facilitate innovative research led by exceptional scientists of any rank at Center for BrainHealth (PhD-level staff member or faculty level).

REQUIREMENTS Candidate is a faculty member or independent scientist at Center for BrainHealth. Pilot projects should lead to preliminary data to be used for a DPRIT application. Three awards are planned, with awardees to be selected by a lay committee prior to the luncheon.

Funded PIs will be expected to provide a brief overview of their project at the Ramona Jones Friends of BrainHealth Scientist Selection Luncheon at the Dallas Country Club on September 28, 2026. Multidisciplinary collaborations with other UT Dallas departments or other UT schools are encouraged, provided the Principal Investigator is primarily affiliated with Center for BrainHealth.

Prior recipients of a Friends of BrainHealth award are eligible to apply for a second award if they have completed their previously funded study. All funds from the prior study must be fully utilized and a final report must be submitted before a candidate is eligible to apply for a second award. The Emerging Scientist Award offers up to $10,000 of research support plus a $2,500 stipend to be paid on completion of the project.

REQUIREMENTS Candidate has a current appointment at Center for BrainHealth at UT Dallas or another UT System institution and is a graduate student, post doctoral fellow or post graduate who received their degree within the last two years. Pilot projects should contribute to dementia-related research . A lay committee will review applications to select finalists.

Up to four finalists will be invited to attend the Ramona Jones Friends of BrainHealth Scientist Selection Luncheon at the Dallas Country Club on September 28, 2026 to pitch their proposed studies to Friends attendees, who will vote in real time to select two winning studies.

Multidisciplinary collaborations with other UT Dallas departments or other UT schools are encouraged, provided the Principal Investigator is primarily affiliated with Center for BrainHealth. Prior recipients of a Friends of BrainHealth award are eligible to apply for a second award if they have completed their previously funded study.

All funds from the prior study must be fully utilized and a final report must be submitted before a candidate is eligible to apply for a second award.

Emerging researchers can benefit from participation in many ways, including: adding an important entry to your bio sketch, accelerating your research capabilities, crafting an independent research project, learning what it’s like to apply for a grant, working closely with a faculty/BrainHealth mentor, and presenting complex topics to a friendly lay audience.

Examples of Relevant Topics Basic mechanisms of neurodegeneration Diagnostic tools for early detection Prevention programs and interventions Health disparity research Technology and artificial intelligence applications Mechanisms and/or prevention of age-related decline SUPPORT FOR LIFE-CHANGING STUDIES Hear from researchers about how Friends grants provide critical, early-career support to emerging scientists while fueling a new era of transformative brain health breakthroughs.

Since 2008, Friends of BrainHealth has provided seedling grants that have enabled dozens of cutting-edge cognitive research studies, exploring new ways to enhance, protect and restore brain health across the lifespan.

Watch updates from past grant recipients (delivered April 8, 2026), accomplished scientists engaging in the next wave of academic research at Center for BrainHealth, medical breakthroughs in private practice, and corporate strategy at Lockheed Martin. Center for BrainHealth is a cognitive neuroscience research center.

Research results and participant testimonials are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute a promise or guarantee of future results. We are not a medical provider, and our events, programs, and content should not be construed as offering medical advice. 2200 West Mockingbird Lane Dallas, TX 75235 972.

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