The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has officially opened applications for its 2027 AAN Research Program, offering grants ranging from $150,000 to $450,000 to support groundbreaking neuroscience research.

The funding program is designed to empower early-career neurologists and neuroscience researchers pursuing innovative research aimed at improving the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of neurological disorders. Through these competitive awards, AAN continues its commitment to advancing neuroscience, supporting emerging researchers, and accelerating discoveries that improve the lives of people living with diseases affecting the brain and nervous system.

Researchers with promising ideas and a passion for transforming neurological care are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date.

Application Deadline

Deadline: September 10, 2026

Applicants are encouraged to apply early and carefully review the eligibility requirements for each funding opportunity.

About the AAN Research Program

The AAN Research Program is one of the American Academy of Neurology’s flagship initiatives dedicated to supporting neuroscience research and cultivating the next generation of research leaders.

The program provides substantial funding that enables researchers to:

• Launch independent research careers.
• Develop innovative scientific projects.
• Generate preliminary data for larger national grants.
• Build research laboratories.
• Recruit research personnel.
• Advance discoveries in neurological disease prevention and treatment.
• Improve patient outcomes through scientific innovation.

The grants are specifically intended to help researchers establish long-term careers while contributing meaningful advances in neurology.

Funding Available

Applicants may compete for research awards ranging between:

• $150,000
• $450,000

Funding amounts vary depending on the specific grant category.

Many awards provide support over two years, while larger Career Development Awards provide funding over three years.

Research Areas Supported

The AAN Research Program welcomes innovative proposals focused on:

• Prevention of neurological diseases.
• Diagnosis of neurological disorders.
• Treatment of brain diseases.
• Disorders affecting the nervous system.
• Clinical neurology research.
• Translational neuroscience.
• Healthcare delivery and quality improvement.
• Neuroscience innovations.
• Patient-centered neurological care.

Projects with strong scientific merit and the potential to improve neurological care are highly encouraged.

Grant Categories

The AAN Research Program offers several funding opportunities tailored to different career stages.

Early-Career Research Awards

Many grants provide:

• Two-year funding.
• Awards valued at $150,000.
• Support for neurologists and neuroscience researchers one to five years into their careers.

These grants help recipients establish research independence and generate data for future funding opportunities.

Career Development Awards

The Career Development Awards provide:

• Three years of funding.
• Awards of $450,000.
• Support for neurologists with six to ten years of professional experience.

These awards are designed to accelerate long-term research careers while positioning recipients for future national and international research funding.

Why This Funding Matters

Research funding plays a critical role in advancing neuroscience and improving patient care.

Recipients use the awards to:

• Establish research laboratories.
• Protect dedicated research time.
• Hire research staff.
• Generate preliminary scientific data.
• Publish scientific findings.
• Develop innovative treatment approaches.
• Strengthen future grant applications.
• Build sustainable research programs.

Many previous award recipients have gone on to receive major national research funding after benefiting from the AAN Research Program.

Success Story: Advancing Multiple Sclerosis Research

One notable recipient, Dr. Cole A. Harrington, received the 2024 Career Development Award for research investigating oligodendrocyte survival and remyelination in multiple sclerosis.

According to Dr. Harrington, the award enabled him to:

• Launch his research laboratory.
• Protect dedicated research time.
• Recruit essential laboratory staff.
• Generate valuable preliminary data.
• Develop promising treatment pathways.
• Produce multiple scientific publications.

He described the award as a launchpad that significantly strengthened his research career and future scientific opportunities.

Success Story: Addressing Health Care Disparities

Another recipient, Dr. Altaf Saadi, received the Practice Research Training Scholarship to investigate healthcare disparities affecting patients with limited English proficiency.

Her research revealed important differences in neurological care, including variations in diagnostic testing and communication barriers between patients and healthcare providers.

The funding also helped her build a successful research career that later led to receiving an NIH K23 award, highlighting the long-term career impact of AAN research funding.

Benefits of the AAN Research Program

Recipients benefit from numerous career-building opportunities, including:

• Significant research funding.
• Career development support.
• Increased research independence.
• Strong mentorship opportunities.
• Enhanced scientific credibility.
• Opportunities to publish research findings.
• Improved competitiveness for larger grants.
• Expanded professional networks.
• Long-term academic career growth.
• Greater impact on neurological patient care.

Advice from Previous Award Recipients

Past awardees shared valuable insights for future applicants.

Build a Strong Mentorship Team

Applicants are encouraged to:

• Seek guidance from experienced faculty.
• Build multidisciplinary mentorship committees.
• Consult previous award recipients.
• Meet regularly with mentors to strengthen research proposals.

Strong mentorship can improve project quality and help overcome research challenges.

Be Persistent

Applicants who are unsuccessful on their first attempt are encouraged to reapply.

Receiving reviewer feedback, improving proposals, and maintaining persistence can significantly increase the likelihood of future success.

Tips for Preparing a Competitive Application

To improve your chances of success:

• Develop a clearly defined research question.
• Demonstrate innovation and scientific significance.
• Explain the potential impact on neurological care.
• Build a strong mentorship team.
• Present a realistic research timeline.
• Clearly outline your career development goals.
• Highlight previous research accomplishments.
• Carefully follow all application instructions.

Why You Should Apply

The AAN Research Program represents one of the leading funding opportunities for early-career neurologists and neuroscience researchers.

Whether you are launching your first independent research project or expanding an established programme, these grants provide the financial resources, mentorship opportunities, and professional recognition needed to build a successful research career while advancing neuroscience and improving patient care worldwide.

Interested applicants should review the programme guidelines and submit their applications before September 10, 2026.

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