Glenn Foundation for Medical Research
At a glance
Key takeaways
- Glenn Foundation for Medical Research, based in Edmond, OK, funds research into the biological mechanisms of normal human ageing, so work centred on basic ageing biology is the closest fit, while disease-related projects are considered only where they show how fundamental ageing processes contribute.
- Half of its 44 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less, so a modest request matches its usual giving, although its typical band runs from $10,000 to $1,000,000 and its largest grant was about $4,150,000, so that band is not a ceiling.
- Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, so you can approach it at any time, and if you are seeking the junior faculty grants, you must first submit a Letter of Intent to AFAR.
- In its most recent filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in earlier filings, so a first approach may be competitive and relationship-led, and no geographic focus is stated, although its grants are mainly in New York, California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Minnesota.
- Do not apply to the junior faculty grants if you are a senior faculty member at Associate Professor level or higher, a postdoctoral fellow working in a senior investigator's laboratory, a former recipient of that award or the Sagol Network GerOmic Award, at a for-profit or non-US institution, or doing strictly clinical or Alzheimer's research.
Overview
Glenn Foundation for Medical Research is a US private foundation based in Edmond, OK.
What they fund
Profile derived from the foundation's IRS Form 990-PF filings (TY2024, TY2023, TY2022) and its website and other web pages about the foundation (afar.org), with every statement checked against those sources. Sources read on 7 October 2026.
Priority Areas
The Glenn Foundation for Medical Research supports research into the biological mechanisms of normal human ageing and related physiological decline, aiming to translate discoveries into interventions that extend healthspan with lifespan. It prioritises basic ageing mechanisms over disease-specific work; related disease projects can qualify when they illuminate how fundamental ageing processes contribute. Its programmes support institutional centres of excellence and research led by early-career faculty and postdoctoral fellows, alongside discovery awards. The Foundation also supports conferences, workshops, symposia and other educational opportunities for scientists to share information relevant to its mission. Its organisation grants go to universities, medical schools, research institutes and scientific organisations, with medical research stated as the grant purpose.
Themes
- Normal ageing biology
- Scientific meetings
Geographic Focus
No geographic focus is stated; the filings show grants mainly in New York, California, Massachusetts, Michigan and Minnesota.
What They Don't Fund
- Glenn Foundation for Medical Research and AFAR Grants for Junior Faculty only: Projects that deal strictly with clinical problems such as the diagnosis and treatment of disease, health outcomes, or the social context of aging; Postdoctoral fellows in the laboratory of a senior investigator; Senior faculty, i.e. at the rank of Associate Professor level or higher; Former recipients of this award and Sagol Network GerOmic Award; Applicants who are conducting research at a for-profit institution, or at an institution outside of the United States; Alzheimer's Disease and/or related dementias research (as reported in other published sources)
How to apply
For the Junior Faculty grants, applicants submit a Letter of Intent to AFAR. A committee reviews the letters and invites a subset of applicants to submit a full application, which is then reviewed by a Selection Committee.
Application success factors
- Repeat giving: In its TY2024 filing, 88% of its grant dollars to organisations went to organisations it had also funded in its TY2022 or TY2023 filing.
- Grant size: Across its TY2022, TY2023 and TY2024 filings, half of its 44 grants to organisations were $25,000 or less.
What the foundation says:
- Glenn Centers are selected for the strength of their institutions and leadership in the biology of ageing.
- Junior Faculty proposals should address basic mechanisms of ageing rather than disease-specific research. (as reported in other published sources)
- Discovery proposals are assessed for their potential to yield discoveries applicable to human ageing and healthspan or to establish clinically relevant approaches. (as reported in other published sources)
Where grants go
From grants to organisations in the foundation’s filings for tax years 2022–2024.
Grant dollars by state
6 other states: <1%
- The largest single recipient received 44% of grant dollars to organisations.
- In tax year 2024, 88% of grant dollars went to organisations Glenn Foundation for Medical Research had funded in earlier filings.
- No grants were paid directly to organisations outside the US.
Grants
How much do they typically give?
Share of 13 grants in tax year 2024 by size
Median $50,000 (tax year 2024)
The largest grants to organisations in the foundation’s latest filing:
- American Federation for Aging Research · Medical research$3,898,1432024 tax year
- Mayo Clinic · Medical research$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Stanford University · Medical research$1,000,0002024 tax year
- University of Michigan · Medical research$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Buck Institute · Medical research$1,000,0002024 tax year
- Harvard College · Medical research$1,000,0002024 tax year
- University Of Chicago Marine Biology Lab · Medical research$50,0002024 tax year
- Ucsf Foundation · Medical research$25,0002024 tax year
Grants to organisations listed in the foundation’s Form 990-PF filings. Grants to individuals are not shown.
Officers and directors
- Mark R Collins — President, Director, Assistant Secretary
- A Ray Copeland — Assistant Treasurer, Director
- K Leonard Judson — CEO, Secretary, Treasurer, Director
From the latest Form 990-PF filing
3 years of tax filings
| Year | Total expenses | Grants paid | Assets | Filing document |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 tax year | $10,524,598 | $8,038,499 | $186,432,283 | Filing for 2022 tax year |
| 2023 tax year | $12,526,289 | $10,484,664 | $206,790,572 | Filing for 2023 tax year |
| 2024 tax year | $11,758,621 | $9,032,558 | $222,478,046 | Filing for 2024 tax year |
Figures from the foundation’s IRS Form 990-PF filings. Assets are at fair market value at year end. The document icon links to each year’s filing on ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer.
Sources
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At a glance
Applying to Glenn Foundation for Medical Research?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Edmond, OK
- glennfoundation.org
Applying to Glenn Foundation for Medical Research?
Hinchilla drafts your answers around this funder's priorities, using your organisation's own documents.
No credit card required
Contact
- Edmond, OK
- glennfoundation.org