McKnight Brain Research Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $1,681,922 (2023)
• Success Rate: Not publicly available
• Decision Time: Not specified
• Grant Range: $65,000 - $75,000 per year
• Geographic Focus: National (United States)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.mcknightbrain.org
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 620005, Orlando, FL 32862
Phone: Not publicly available
Email: Contact through website form
Grant Inquiries: Applications open Spring 2026

Overview

Founded in 1999, the McKnight Brain Research Foundation stands as the nation's only private foundation dedicated exclusively to discovering the mysteries of the ageing brain. The foundation has invested over $200 million to date in advancing research on age-related cognitive decline and memory loss. Through partnerships with four McKnight Brain Institutes at universities in Alabama, Arizona, Florida, and Miami, along with collaboration with the National Institute on Ageing, the foundation fosters interdisciplinary scientific investigation into brain health and ageing. Their mission centres on supporting research to better understand and alleviate the effects of age-related cognitive decline and memory loss.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

• McKnight Clinical Translational Research Scholarship: $65,000/year for 2 years plus $10,000/year for research methodology education (early-career clinician scientists)
• Innovator Awards in Cognitive Ageing and Memory Loss: Amount not specified (mid-career scientists)

Priority Areas

• Cognitive ageing research
• Age-related cognitive decline
• Memory loss studies
• Human cognitive ageing research
• Clinical translational research
• Cross-discipline collaboration in brain health

What They Don't Fund

Not explicitly stated, but focus is exclusively on brain ageing and cognitive decline research

Governance and Leadership

The foundation is governed by Trustees who work in conjunction with the American Academy of Neurology's Science Committee to select scholarship recipients. Specific board members and leadership names are not publicly listed on the website.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are accepted through competitive annual cycles. The next application window opens in Spring 2026 for both grant programmes. The Clinical Translational Research Scholarship is administered in partnership with the American Academy of Neurology, while the Innovator Awards are administered in collaboration with the American Federation for Ageing Research (AFAR).

Decision Timeline

Not publicly specified

Success Rates

For the Clinical Translational Research Scholarship, approximately 60 applications were received for 8 scholarships in recent cycles, suggesting a success rate of approximately 13%.

Reapplication Policy

Not specified

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's funded projects and stated priorities:

• Demonstrate clear focus on cognitive ageing and age-related memory loss
• Show interdisciplinary approach to brain ageing research
• For Clinical Translational Research Scholarship: emphasis on translating findings to clinical applications
• For Innovator Awards: demonstrate potential for leadership in cognitive ageing research field
• Recent funded topics include inflammation and brain ageing, myelin and cognitive function, gut-brain signalling, and blood-brain barrier dysfunction

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• The foundation is highly specialised, funding only brain ageing and cognitive decline research
• Strong preference for interdisciplinary approaches and collaborative research
• Early-career and mid-career researchers are specifically targeted through separate programmes
• Applications are only accepted during specific windows (next opening Spring 2026)
• Partnership with established organisations (American Academy of Neurology, AFAR) suggests rigorous peer review process
• Foundation has committed $1.65 million for 10 additional Clinical Translational Research scholars through 2028
• With over $200 million invested to date, this is a well-established funder in the cognitive ageing research space

References

• McKnight Brain Research Foundation Official Website: https://www.mcknightbrain.org (Accessed December 31, 2025)
• McKnight Clinical Translational Research Scholarship Page: https://www.mcknightbrain.org/mcknight-clinical-translational-research-scholarship/ (Accessed December 31, 2025)
• McKnight Innovator Award Page: https://www.mcknightbrain.org/innovator-award/ (Accessed December 31, 2025)
• For Researchers Section: https://www.mcknightbrain.org/for-researchers/ (Accessed December 31, 2025)
• About Page: https://www.mcknightbrain.org/about/ (Accessed December 31, 2025)
• Contact Page: https://www.mcknightbrain.org/contact/ (Accessed December 31, 2025)