Apply for a Research Grant
BrightFocus provides research funds for U.S. domestic as well as international researchers pursuing pioneering research leading to greater understanding, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Request for Proposals →
Macular Degeneration Research Request for Proposals→
National Glaucoma Research Request for Proposals→
To start a new application and upload attachments, you must use our ProposalCentral application portal to apply online. Note: Your organization must be registered with ProposalCentral to apply.
Our Funding Philosophy
It is our firm belief that having the courage to invest in innovative ideas will lead to revolutionary therapies. BrightFocus provides initial funding for highly innovative experimental ideas, including interdisciplinary investigations that may apply to two or three of the BrightFocus disease interests. Most of the awardees use the BrightFocus award funds to demonstrate key findings that lead to later interest and additional funding from industrial or governmental funding agencies.
Grant Application Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to applicants’ frequently asked questions, from eligibility to the review process, categorized by each disease program.
Guidelines
Terms & Conditions
News
Recent News & Breakthroughs
Looking Beyond Pressure-Lowering Drugs to Treat Glaucoma
A National Glaucoma Research-funded scientist is building a 3D model of the optic nerve that she hopes will solve unanswered questions about glaucoma—and inspire new treatments.
Is This the Next Best Thing to Regrowing a New Retina?
A BrightFocus Macular Degeneration Research-funded scientist is investigating a new regeneration technique to restore key cells that are wiped out in late-stage age-related macular degeneration.
New Blood Test Could Personalize Alzheimer’s Treatment Like Never Before
A new Alzheimer’s blood test may reveal how far the disease has progressed and identify who’s most likely to benefit from anti-amyloid therapies.
What Early-Life Brain Activity May Reveal About Alzheimer’s Risk
BrightFocus Alzheimer’s Disease Research grant recipient Keith Hengen, PhD, is pioneering a novel approach to identifying Alzheimer’s risk in early life, which could enable earlier diagnosis, risk reduction, and treatment.
FDA Clears First Blood Test to Aid in Alzheimer’s Diagnosis
The Lumipulse G β-Amyloid Ratio (1-42/1-40) blood test, manufactured by Fujirebio Diagnostics, measures two forms of amyloid-beta in the blood.
BrightFocus Foundation Awards Nearly $13M to 50 Scientists for Alzheimer’s, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma Research
Private research nonprofit BrightFocus Foundation today announced nearly $13 million in grants to support early investigative research into Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Does Disrupting the Brain’s Clock Influence Alzheimer’s?
An Alzheimer’s Disease Research-funded researcher is investigating the link between circadian rhythm disruption by jet lag and Alzheimer’s in the hopes of finding new treatment targets.
A Key Protein Could Alter Risk for Pseudoexfoliation Glaucoma
BrightFocus National Glaucoma Research-funded scientist Hannah Youngblood, PhD, is investigating the role of an important protein called LOXL1 to pave the way for new glaucoma treatments.
Breaking News Dispatch: Alzheimer’s Drug Breakthroughs and Care Access Tools
Read the top headlines in Alzheimer’s clinical trials and healthcare platforms.