Each year, the Alzheimer's Association funds research grants, committing millions of dollars to fuel dementia research projects globally. View grant portfolio summaries by year.
2023 portfolio summary
In 2023, the Alzheimer's Association invested a record-breaking $100 million in research initiatives, including over $75 million for new scientific investigations. This marks the first time the Association has invested more than $100 million toward research in a single year. As the world’s leading nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s and other dementia research, the Association’s active impact on research includes more than $430 million in over 1,110 active best-of-field projects in 56 countries spanning six continents.
Research Categories of FY2023 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer’s and all other Dementia – 48% of funded projects are exploring processes including brain inflammation and immunity, cellular transport, genetics, and the production of proteins (e.g., beta-amyloid, tau, alpha-synuclein, etc.), as well as cellular functions that may normally protect and maintain nerve cells in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring of Alzheimer’s and all other Dementia – 11% of the projects are investigating tools and methods aimed at earlier diagnosis, timelier interventions, and more effective monitoring of disease progression. This includes studies that develop and expand the use of brain scans, fluid biomarkers such as blood tests, and clinical tools, as well as studies that combine these measures to further develop, standardize, and validate them.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions – 15% of the projects explore novel treatment strategies for potential drugs (drug discovery, drug development, and human trials) and non-drug interventions for Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
- Dementia Care and Impact of Disease, including Population Studies – 14% of the projects are studying potential factors that may impact risk for dementia and ways to improve care (such as with new technology) for people at all stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
- Epidemiology (Dementia Risk Factors and Prevention) - 12% of the projects study potential factors that may impact risk for dementia, such as lifestyle factors.
2023 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards and Strategic Research Initiatives Portfolio Profile (PDF)
2022 portfolio summary
At any given moment, research is happening. The Association once again made its largest-ever total annual research investment in FY22: More than $90 million, including over $71 million in grants for new scientific investigations. As the world’s leading nonprofit funder of Alzheimer’s and other dementia research, the Association is currently investing over $320 million in more than 1,000 active best-of-field projects in 54 countries, spanning six continents.
Research Categories of FY2022 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer’s and other Dementia – 45% (144 projects) of funded projects are exploring processes including brain inflammation and immunity, cellular transport, genetics and the production of proteins (e.g., beta-amyloid, tau, alpha synuclein, etc.), and cellular functions that may normally protect and maintain nerve cells in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring of Alzheimer’s and other Dementia – 19% (61 projects) of the projects are investigating tools and methods aimed at earlier diagnosis, timelier interventions and more effective monitoring of disease progression. This includes studies that develop and expand the use of brain scans, fluid biomarkers such as blood tests, and clinical tools, as well as studies that combine these measures to further develop, standardize and validate them.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions – 18% (57 projects) of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies for potential drugs (drug discovery, drug development and human trials) and non-drug interventions for Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
- Dementia Care and Impact of Disease, including Population Studies – 18% (57 projects) of the projects are studying potential factors that may impact an individual’s risk for dementia and ways to improve care (such as with new technology) for people at all stages of Alzheimer’s and other dementia.
2022 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards and Strategic Research Initiatives Portfolio Profile (PDF)
2021 portfolio summary
At any given moment, research is happening. In FY2021 the Alzheimer's Association made its largest ever annual investment in new research, committing more than $70 million to fuel 253 research projects, including 236 investigations funded via requests for applications (RFAs) and 17 commitments to support Strategic Research Initiatives. By the end of FY2021, the Association's active funding commitments totaled more than $250 million to more than 750 best of field projects in 39 countries.
Research Categories of FY2021 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer's and other Dementia – 33% of funded projects are exploring processes including brain inflammation and immunity, cellular transport, genetics and the production of proteins (e.g., beta-amyloid, tau, alpha synuclein, etc.), and cellular functions that may normally protect and maintain nerve cells in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring of Alzheimer's and other Dementia – 15% of the projects are investigating tools and methods aimed at earlier diagnosis, timelier interventions and effective monitoring of disease progression. This includes studies that develop and expand use of brain scans, fluid biomarkers such as blood tests, and clinical tools, as well as studies that combine these measures to further develop, standardize and validate them.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions – 15% of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies for potential drugs (drug discovery, drug development and human trials) and non-drug interventions for Alzheimer's and other dementia.
- Dementia Care and Impact of Disease, including Population Studies – 37% of the projects are studying potential factors that may impact an individual's risk for dementia and ways to improve care (such as with new technology) for people at all stages of Alzheimer's and other dementia.
2021 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards and Strategic Research Initiatives Portfolio Profile (PDF)
2020 portfolio summary
At any given moment, research is happening. Today, the Alzheimer’s Association has committed funding of over $250M to more than 730 projects in 39 countries. In FY2020, the Alzheimer’s Association made the largest-ever research investment of more than $47 million in new funding to advance 139 research projects. These projects include 119 investigations funded through the International Research Grant Program (IRGP) and 20 strategic research initiatives.
Research Categories of FY2020 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer's and all other dementia — 24% of the funded projects are exploring processes including brain inflammation and immunity, cellular transport, genetics and the production of beta-amyloid, tau, alpha synuclein and others, as well as cellular properties and functions that may normally protect and maintain nerve cells in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring of Alzheimer’s and all other dementia — 15% of the projects are investigating brain scans, fluid biomarkers including blood tests, and clinical tools aimed at earlier diagnosis, timelier interventions, and effective disease monitoring.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions — 30.5% of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies for potential drug and non-drug interventions.
- Dementia Care and Impact of Disease, including population studies — 30.5% of the projects are studying potential factors that may increase or decrease an individual’s risk for dementia and ways to improve care for people at all stages of Alzheimer’s and all other dementia and interventions to support new technology as well as those providing care. In addition, projects may focus on better understanding and addressing health disparities.
- 2020 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards and Strategic Research Initiatives Portfolio Profile (PDF)
- 2020 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards organized by Country/State (PDF)
- 2020 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards organized by Research Category (PDF)
2019 portfolio summary
The Alzheimer’s Association made the largest-ever research investment of more than $42 million in FY2019 to advance 162 new research projects. These projects include 139 investigations funded through the International Research Grant Program (IRGP) and 23 strategic research initiatives.
Research Categories of FY2019 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer's Disease and related Dementias — 30% of the funded projects are exploring processes including brain inflammation and immunity, cellular transport, genetics and the production of beta-amyloid, tau, alpha synuclein and others, as well as cellular properties and functions that may normally protect and maintain nerve cells in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring — 25% of the projects are investigating brain imaging, fluid biomarkers including blood tests, and clinical tools aimed at earlier diagnosis, timelier interventions, and effective disease monitoring.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions — 18% of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies for potential drug and non-drug interventions.
- Dementia Care and Impact of Disease, including population studies — 27% of the projects are studying potential factors that may increase or decrease an individual’s risk for dementia and ways to improve care for people at all stages of Alzheimer’s and related dementias and interventions to support new technology as well as those providing care. In addition, projects may focus on better understanding and addressing health disparities.
- 2019 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards and Strategic Research Initiatives Portfolio Profile (PDF)
- 2019 Alzheimer's Association Grant Portfolio at a Glance (PDF)
- 2019 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards Organized by Country/State (PDF)
- 2019 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards Organized by Research Category (PDF)
2018 portfolio summary
In aggressive pursuit of its vision of a world without Alzheimer’s, the Alzheimer's Association made its largest-ever research investment in 2018 with grants of over $30 million to 131 scientific investigations. As the world's leading nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research, the Association is accelerating the field toward a world without Alzheimer's.
Investments in 2018 include awards to 112 projects funded through the International Research Grant Program. The additional 19 grants are strategic research initiatives developed in partnerships with other organizations.
Research Categories of FY2018 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer's Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease-related Dementia — 39% of the funded projects are exploring disease-related processes including brain inflammation and immunity, cellular transport mechanisms, genetics and the production of beta-amyloid. These projects may also examine the cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring — 18% of the projects are investigating brain imaging, fluid biomarkers including blood tests, and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timelier interventions, and effective disease monitoring.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions — 23% of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies and non-drug interventions.
- Dementia Care and Impact of Disease, including population studies — 20% of the projects are studying ways to improve care for people with dementia through new technologies and exploring the values and customs of diverse cultures that impact the use of health services. The population study projects are examining various factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- 2018 Alzheimer’s Association Grant Awards and Strategic Research Initiatives Portfolio Profile (PDF)
- 2018 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards Organized by Country/State (PDF)
- 2018 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards Organized by Research Category (PDF)
2017 portfolio summary
In aggressive pursuit of its vision of a world without Alzheimer's, the Alzheimer's Association made its largest-ever research investment in 2017 with grants of more than $28 million to 129 scientific investigations. As the world's leading nonprofit funder of Alzheimer's research, the Association is accelerating the field toward solutions for the global Alzheimer's crisis.
Investments in 2017 include awards to 112 projects funded through the International Research Grant Program, representing proposals ranked highest by a peer-reviewed process in an extremely competitive field of 486 applications that were submitted from 1,005 letters of intent.
Research Categories of FY2017 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer's Disease — 54% of the funded projects are exploring the mechanisms that contribute to disease-related processes including the production of beta-amyloid, the mediators of beta-amyloid's toxicity and its adverse effect on cell-to-cell communication, the abnormal chemical alterations of tau, and the functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer's disease pathology. These projects may also examine the cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring — 15% of the projects are investigating brain imaging, biomarkers, and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timelier interventions, and effective disease monitoring.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions — 19% of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies and non-pharmacological interventions.
- Epidemiology — 6% of the projects are examining various factors that may contribute to Alzheimer's and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- Care, Support and Health Economics of Alzheimer's Disease — 5% of the projects are studying ways to improve care for people with dementia through new technologies and exploring the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact the use of health services.
- 2017 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards and Strategic Research Initiatives Portfolio Profile (PDF)
- 2017 Alzheimer's Association Grant Awards Organized by Research Category (PDF)
2016 portfolio summary
In 2016, the Alzheimer’s Association® made investments totaling nearly $25 million in more than 135 scientific investigations. These include grant awards to 120 projects funded through its International Research Grant Program (IRGP), representing proposals ranked highest by a peer-reviewed process in an extremely competitive field of over 730 applications that were submitted from more than 1,200 letters of intent.
Research Categories of FY2016 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer's Disease — 45% of the funded projects are exploring the mechanisms that contribute to disease-related processes including the production of beta-amyloid, the mediators of beta-amyloid’s toxicity and its adverse effect on cell-to-cell communication, the abnormal chemical alterations of tau, and the normal functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. These projects may also examine the cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring — 24% of the projects are investigating brain imaging, biomarkers, and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timelier interventions, and effective disease monitoring.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions — 23% of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies and non- pharmacological interventions.
- Epidemiology — 5% of the projects are examining various factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- Care, Support and Health Economics of Alzheimer's Disease — 3% of the projects are studying ways to improve care for people with dementia through new technologies and exploring the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact the use of health services.
2015 portfolio summary
In 2015, the Alzheimer’s Association made investments totaling over $17 million in more than 80 scientific investigations. These include grant awards to 68 projects funded through its International Research Grant Program (IRGP), representing proposals ranked highest by a peer-reviewed process in an extremely competitive field of 540 applications that were submitted from over 1,040 letters of intent.
Research Categories of FY2015 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer's Disease — 43% of the funded projects are exploring the mechanisms that contribute to diseaserelated processes including the production of betaamyloid, the mediators of beta-amyloid’s toxicity and its adverse effect on celltocell communication, the abnormal chemical alterations of tau, and the normal functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. These projects may also examine the cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring — 15% of the projects are investigating brain imaging, biomarkers, and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timelier interventions, and effective disease monitoring.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions — 31% of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies and nonpharmacological interventions.
- Epidemiology — 3% of the projects are examining various factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- Care, Support and Health Economics of Alzheimer's Disease — 7% of the projects are studying ways to improve care for people with dementia through new technologies and exploring the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact the use of health services.
2014 portfolio summary
In 2014, the Alzheimer’s Association made investments totaling nearly $14 million to 88 scientific investigations. These include grant awards to 78 projects funded through its International Research Grant Program (IRGP), representing proposals ranked highest by a peer-reviewed process in an extremely competitive field of 537 applications (invited from over 1,100 Letters of Intent).
Research Categories of FY2014 Newly Funded Research Projects:
- Molecular Pathogenesis and Physiology of Alzheimer's Disease — 41% of the funded projects are exploring the mechanisms that contribute to disease-related processes including the production of beta-amyloid, the mediators of betaamyloid’s toxicity and its adverse effect on cell-to-cell communication, the abnormal chemical alterations of tau, and the normal functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. These projects may also examine the cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- Diagnosis, Assessment and Disease Monitoring — 23% of the projects are investigating brain imaging, biomarkers, and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timelier interventions, and effective disease monitoring.
- Translational Research and Clinical Interventions — 21% of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies and nonpharmacological interventions.
- Epidemiology — 9% of the projects are examining various factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- Care, Support and Health Economics of Alzheimer's Disease — 6% of the projects are studying ways to improve care for people with dementia through new technologies and exploring the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact the use of health services.
2013 portfolio summary
In 2013, the Alzheimer’s Association made investments totaling approximately $14.8 million in more than 75 scientific investigations. These include grant awards to 66 projects funded through its International Research Grant Program (IRGP), representing proposals ranked highest by peer-reviewers in an extremely competitive field of 605 applications (invited from over 1,000 LOIs), and strategic research initiatives.
- 47% of the funded projects are exploring the molecular mechanisms that contribute to disease-related processes including the production of beta-amyloid, the mediators of beta-amyloid’s toxicity and its adverse effect on cell-to-cell communication, the abnormal chemical alterations of tau, and the normal functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s disease pathology. These projects may also examine the cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- 6% of the projects are examining various factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- 23% of the projects are investigating brain imaging, biomarkers, and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timelier interventions, and effective disease monitoring.
- 20% of the projects are exploring novel treatment strategies, non-pharmacological interventions, ways to improve care for people with dementia through new technologies, and the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact the use of health services.
- 4% of the projects are studying ways to improve care for people with dementia through new technologies and exploring the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact the use of health services.
2012 portfolio summary
In 2012, the Alzheimer’s Association International Research Grant Program awarded approximately $12.2 million in funding to 78 scientific investigations. Of these, 74 funded projects represent proposals ranked highest by peer reviewers in an extremely competitive field of 922 applications. In addition to funding individual scientists in eight grant categories, the Alzheimer’s Association awarded four special scientific projects .
- 32% of projects funded in 2012 explore the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the production of beta-amyloid, the mediators of beta-amyloid’s toxicity, and its adverse effect on cell-to-cell communication.
- 27% investigate the abnormal chemical alterations of tau and the normal functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer’s pathology, as well as the cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- 7% examine other factors that may contribute to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- 12% investigate brain imaging, biomarkers and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timely interventions and effective disease monitoring.
- 12% explore novel treatment strategies and non-pharmacological interventions.
- 10% study ways to improve care for people with dementia through new technologies and explore the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact use of health services.
2011 portfolio summary
In 2011, the Alzheimer's Association International Research Grant Program awarded more than $12.8 million in funding to 78 investigators. Funded projects represent the proposals ranked highest by peer reviewers in an extremely competitive field of 875 applications.
Nineteen percent of projects funded in 2011 explore the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the production of beta-amyloid, the mediators of beta-amyloid's toxicity, and its adverse effect on cell-to-cell communication.
- 19% of projects funded in 2011 explore the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the production of beta-amyloid, the mediators of beta-amyloid's toxicity, and its adverse effect on cell-to-cell communication.
- 36% investigate the abnormal chemical alterations of tau and the normal functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer's pathology, as well as the cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- 14% examine other factors that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- 9% investigate brain imaging, biomarkers and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timely interventions and effective disease monitoring.
- 18% explore novel treatment strategies and non-pharmacological interventions.
- 4% study ways to improve care for people with dementia through new technologies and explore the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact use of health services.
In 2011, the Department of Defense (DoD) received a $15 million appropriation to support research associated with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and related dementias, including research associated with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and the development of strategies dedicated to improving the quality of life for those affected by AD. Because of the tight timeline, the DoD worked closely with the Alzheimer’s Association to identify investigations that met their criteria, as well as the stringent peer-review criteria used by the Alzheimer’s Association. A selection of projects was invited to submit to in-house experts at the DoD’s TATRC for panel review and funding recommendation. Seven proposals were recommended for funding based on the scores and merits of each proposal.
2010 portfolio summary
The Alzheimer's Association 2010 grants portfolio supports the 84 projects ranked highest by peer reviewers in an extremely competitive field of 740 applications. Key 2010 research themes include:
- 22% of projects funded in 2010 explore the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the production of beta-amyloid, the abnormal chemical alterations of tau and the normal functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer pathology.
- 36% investigate the underlying pathology of Alzheimer's, including the effect of beta-amyloid, mediators of toxicity, the adverse effect of beta-amyloid on cell-to-cell communication, and the effect of Alzheimer's disease on cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- 5% examine other factors that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- 7% investigate brain imaging, biomarkers and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timely interventions and effective disease monitoring.
- 22% explore novel treatment strategies and the improvement of clinical trial designs.
- 8% study improving care for people with dementia through new technologies, and exploring the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact use of health services.
2009 portfolio summary
The Alzheimer's Association 2009 grants portfolio supports the 84 projects ranked highest by peer reviewers in an extremely competitive field of 815 applications. Key 2009 research themes include:
- 24% of projects funded in 2009 explore the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the production of beta-amyloid, the abnormal chemical alterations of tau and the normal functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer's pathology.
- 26% investigate the underlying pathology of Alzheimer's, including the effect of beta-amyloid, mediators of toxicity, the adverse effect of beta-amyloid on cell-to-cell communication, and the effect of Alzheimer's disease on cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- 7% examine other factors that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease and other dementias, including blood vessel damage and genetic risk factors.
- 22% investigate brain imaging, biomarkers and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timely interventions and effective disease monitoring.
- 10% explore novel treatment strategies and the improvement of clinical trial designs.
- 11% study improving care for people with dementia through new technologies, and exploring the values and beliefs of diverse cultures that impact use of health services.
2008 portfolio summary
The Alzheimer's Association 2008 grants portfolio supports the 131 projects ranked highest by peer reviewers in an extremely competitive field of 599 applications. Key 2008 research themes include:
- 14% of projects funded in 2008 explore the molecular mechanisms that contribute to the production of beta-amyloid, the abnormal chemical alterations of tau and the normal functions of related proteins implicated in Alzheimer's pathology.
- 11% investigate the toxic properties of beta-amyloid, mediators of this toxicity and the adverse effect of beta-amyloid on cell-to-cell communication.
- 14% study the effect of Alzheimer's disease on cellular properties and functions that normally protect and maintain neurons in the brain.
- 17% examine other factors that may contribute to Alzheimer's disease, including inflammation, blood vessel damage, nutritional deficits, genetic risk factors and lifestyle factors.
- 11% investigate brain imaging, biomarkers and clinical tools that may result in earlier and more accurate diagnoses, timely interventions and effective disease monitoring.
- 18% explore novel treatment strategies, including anti-amyloid compounds and nutritional therapies.
- 15% study best practices in care for people with dementia living in nursing homes, in assisted-living communities and at home.