Research & Impact

Parkinson’s Research

APDA proudly invests in the most promising clinicians and scientific projects focused on the discovery of the cause(s) and finding the cure for Parkinson’s disease.

The American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA) proudly invests in the most promising clinicians and scientific projects focused on the discovery of the cause(s) and finding the cure(s) for Parkinson’s disease (PD).  APDA is committed to scientific research and has been a funding partner in many major PD scientific breakthroughs, investing nearly $60 million in research since 1961. Many APDA-funded researchers have successfully leveraged pilot data to secure multimillion-dollar grants through the National Institutes of Health and other funding partners.

Our research video showcases the impact and progress we have made in the research arena since 1961. The video highlights the urgent need to advance science to help stop the disease’s progress and find a cure. APDA prides itself in funding the brightest talent and attracting researchers to the field who want to make a commitment to building a lifelong career in Parkinson’s.


What we fund

APDA maintains eight Centers for Advanced Research in major academic and medical centers across the country intended to strengthen and help integrate already existing investigative teams. Our focus is to bring the best new talent to the field of Parkinson’s Disease research, so we also annually award individual research grants and fellowships for promising research by experienced and young scientists. Our Centers produced over 200 publications in fiscal year 2021.

On May 17, 2019, APDA hosted a Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research Conference which produced a new APDA research opportunity, the Research for All grant.

APDA proudly invests in the most promising clinicians and scientific projects focused on the discovery of the cause(s) and finding the cure for Parkinson’s disease through the following grant programs:

George C. Cotzias Fellowship

Fellowship over three years.

Diversity in Parkinson’s Disease Research Grant

Renewable one year grant.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Fellowship for two years.

Research Grants

Renewable one year grant.