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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.

Scientist working in lab.
Macular Degeneration Research grant recipient, Yong-Su Kwon, PhD
A female researcher in the lab.

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.

Read FAQs

Guidelines

Terms & Conditions

A male researcher in the lab.
National Glaucoma Research-funded scientist Ignacio Provencio, PhD.

News

Recent News & Breakthroughs

Browse research news and breakthroughs from BrightFocus-funded scientists.
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BrightFocus and Alzheimer’s Los Angeles Renew Partnership to Fund Promising Alzheimer’s Research

Ongoing collaboration advances promising Alzheimer’s drug discovery research in Southern California.

A scan of a human retina. In the middle is the optic nerve, with blood vessels coming out.
A scan of a human retina. In the middle is the optic nerve, with blood vessels coming out.

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.

An incredibly mesmerizing abstract representation of an eye, featuring vivid colors and intricate patterns in detail.

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.

Blood donation concept with human hands and big red blood drop.

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.

Electroencephalogram recording showing the electrical activity of abnormal brain.
Studying brain activity may provide a more direct window into the development of Alzheimer’s. Pictured above is an electroencephalogram recording showing the electrical activity of abnormal brain.

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.

An elderly man getting a blood draw.

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 Macular Degeneration Research grant recipient Albert Gonzales, PhD.
BrightFocus Foundation has invested more than $300 million in innovative research grants since its inception in 1973, catalyzing thousands of life-enhancing scientific breakthroughs. Pictured is BrightFocus Macular Degeneration Research grant recipient Albert Gonzales, PhD.

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.

Elderly woman sleeping in bed

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.

Close up of senior woman's brown eyes looking at camera.

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.

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