Most Current Research Grants

For more than 50 years, BrightFocus Foundation has supported cutting-edge research into Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. See what we are funding this year.

 

All grants will be awarded pending the conclusion of contract negotiations.

Woman scientist holding a pipette in a lab.

Alzheimer’s Disease Research Most Current Grants Awarded:

With generous donor support, BrightFocus Foundation’s Alzheimer’s Disease Research program has funded more than $189 million in research to understand and cure Alzheimer’s. With our grants, scientists worldwide are tackling the disease from many angles, investigating how complex systems (cardiovascular, endocrine, and immune) interact to develop earlier detection strategies and novel treatments. Our current portfolio of 111 active projects worldwide offers huge promise and opportunity to defeat this heartbreaking disease.

Explore More

Learn about our 360-degree approach to Alzheimer’s research.

See All Active Alzheimer’s Disease Research-Funded Studies

Macular Degeneration Research Most Current Grants Awarded:

Through the generosity of our donors, Macular Degeneration Research, a BrightFocus Foundation program, has awarded over $56 million to fund research projects on the causes and potential prevention, treatment, and cure of this disease. As of July 2025, Macular Degeneration Research is supporting 44 active research projects worldwide.

Explore More

Learn about our 360-degree approach to macular degeneration research.

See All Active Macular Degeneration Research-Funded Studies

National Glaucoma Research Most Current Grants Awarded:

BrightFocus’ National Glaucoma Research program is one of the world’s leading nonprofit funders of glaucoma research, having supported more than $52 million in scientific grants exploring the root causes and prevention strategies and treatments to end glaucoma. As of July 2025, National Glaucoma Research is supporting 31 active glaucoma research projects across the globe.

Explore More

Learn about our 360-degree research approach to defeating glaucoma.

See All Active National Glaucoma Research-Funded Studies

View All Grants

What We’re Funding

BrightFocus Foundation, through its programs Alzheimer’s Disease Research, Macular Degeneration Research, and National Glaucoma Research, is currently supporting more than 200 active research grants across 17 countries. Explore the research we’re funding below.
Digital illustration of a human brain with neural activity glowing inside a translucent head, representing neurological disorders like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease.

Alzheimer’s Disease Research

Since 1985, Alzheimer’s Disease Research has awarded nearly $170 million to support promising research in fields ranging from molecular biology to genetics to epidemiology. Alzheimer’s Disease Research is currently supporting 167 outstanding biomedical research projects.

Close-up image of a human retina displaying intricate blood vessels around the optic disc.

Macular Degeneration Research

Since 1999, Macular Degeneration Research has awarded nearly $46 million to support research into the causes and potential prevention strategies and treatments of macular degeneration disease. Macular Degeneration Research is currently supporting 58 biomedical research projects.
A woman receives an eye test for glaucoma.

National Glaucoma Research

Since its inception in 1978, National Glaucoma Research has awarded nearly $47 million to support research projects on the causes and potential prevention and treatment of this disease. National Glaucoma Research is currently supporting 62 biomedical research projects.