BREAKTHROUGH FUNDING TO ADVANCE PARKINSON’S RESEARCH
The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) has awarded $4.04 million in new research funding for the 2025–2026 grant cycle.
This marks a 55% increase in funding over last year. We are thrilled to share this major milestone in our ongoing mission to make hope possible.
This investment supports a dynamic group of researchers working to unlock new treatments, improve quality of life, and deepen our understanding of Parkinson’s disease (PD).
These grants fund critical projects across a wide spectrum, from basic science and novel therapies to quality-of-life interventions. APDA remains especially committed to early-career scientists and newcomers to PD research, providing essential support to help them generate pilot data and secure larger grants from institutions like the National Institutes of Health.
This year, we also launched a new category encompassing Social Science Research Grants, a first for APDA. These grants fund research into the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of PD, including patient and caregiver experiences and efforts to reduce stigma.
We’re also proud to fund the George C. Cotzias Fellowship, named after a pioneer in PD treatment, and continue our annual Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant, which focuses on understanding and addressing PD in underrepresented communities.
All grants are awarded through a competitive review process overseen by our distinguished Scientific Advisory Board, ensuring that only the most promising and impactful projects receive support.
In response to a growing national funding gap, APDA has created a special bridge funding mechanism to assist recent APDA grantees who lost support from other sources. These limited, short-term grants aim to keep promising research projects moving forward despite unexpected setbacks.
Learn more about this increased funding and the researchers who received the Bridge Award