Research Grants: Grant year 2027
Letter of Intent open: Nov 28, 2025
Letter of Intent due: Jan 30, 2026
Invitation for full application: March 20, 2026
Full Application due: June 5, 2026
Award details
One year grant up to a maximum of $100,000 will be awarded to research scientists (MD, MD/PhD, or PhD). The same investigator can reapply the following year to be considered for a second consecutive year of funding. When submitting applications for a grant on the same subject for the second consecutive year, the applicant will also submit a report of the results obtained during the prior APDA funding year.
The applicants will receive notification of the decision in October 2026. The APDA grant year runs from January 1, 2027, to December 31, 2027.
Goal
APDA Research Grants are intended to support research aimed at developing new insights into the pathophysiology, etiology and/or treatment of Parkinson’s disease. Grant proposals can address research questions anywhere along the pipeline from basic science to rehabilitation-focused projects. APDA seeks to promote the entry of new investigators into the field of Parkinson research, as well as to support important new ideas in the field worthy of investigation.
We will consider all innovative ideas.
This Year’s Special Topic: Molecular Mechanisms of Environmental Toxicity in Parkinson’s Disease
APDA’s 2027 Research Grants cycle includes a special area focused on understanding novel mechanisms of PD related neurotoxicity, or common pathways of neurodegeneration caused by environmental risks for PD.
Potential Focus Areas:
- Identifying common or convergent molecular pathways involved in environmental exposures linked to PD
- Mechanisms of gene-environment interactions that assist in predicting PD heritability
- Mechanisms that describe Parkinson’s specific neurodegeneration from known environmental risks
Inclusion Criteria:
- Well-justified models of exposure focused on realistic dose, route of exposure, and exposure periods across the lifespan
- In vitro experiments should explain how dose relates to brain concentrations of toxicants and/or metabolites
- Cellular and mechanistic endpoints with a clear relationship to PD pathogenesis
Applicants who wish to be considered for this year’s special topic must select “Yes” on the Research Grants application form. All other requirements are identical to the regular Research Grants application.
Eligibility
U.S.-based research scientists in the field of Parkinson’s research can apply. The selection committee will more favorably consider researchers who are new to the field of Parkinson’s disease.
Application Process and Proposal
Required information in the Letter of Intent:
- Provide an overview of research activities to be carried out. You can upload figures in supplemental materials. (400 words)
- Highlight the novelty of the current research as well as the relevance and potential significance of the findings to the PD community (100 words)
- Indicate collaborations with other internal or external researchers/organizations. (50 words)
- Explain why your institution and your lab are equipped to perform this research (100 words)
- Provide a narrative of how the budget will be allocated (% personnel, % equipment, etc.) (50 words)
- Citations (unlimited)
In addition, the applicant’s NIH biosketch is required.
Note: The word limit shown is only a guideline. The actual limit is based on character count in Proposal Central. Please verify the specific limit within the application.
Funding
10% of the total funding ($10,000) can be allocated to indirect costs. This is included in the $100,000.
Funding is not to be used for:
- Travel expenses.
- Publication costs higher than $1,200.
- Equipment costs higher than $10,000.
Grant Disbursement
Funds ($100,000) will be awarded as follows:
- 50% on or about January 2027.
- 25% on or about June 2027.
- 25% on or about December 2027.
Deliverables:
- A midyear scientific report.
- A finial scientific report.
- A final financial report.
If you have any questions, please reach out to Dr. Elvin Yao, Senior Programs and Research Manager, at eyao@apdaparkinson.org.