Past Research Grants

Dana Foundation has changed focus, pivoting from science-research grants to grants involving the intersections of neuroscience and society. Learn more.

Previous Grant Programs

Clinical Neuroscience Research Grants

Research that tends to focus on: 1) translating promising animal model interventions or clinical observations for treating devastating brain conditions or injuries into small-sale studies in humans with these conditions to see if the intervention shows any effect, and designing neuroethical guidelines for such studies; 2) identifying functions of specific neurons and neural networks involved in brain diseases or injuries and developing therapeutic interventions to alter these; and 3) assessing outcomes of the effects of various therapies used to treat brain injuries, such as stroke. The program also occasionally considers studies of complex cognitive processes, such as creativity. Search grants

David Mahoney Neuroimaging Grants

Research on imaging innovations that help reveal how the human brain functions normally, how disorders and injuries alter these functions, and how various therapies affect these conditions. Since immune cells are often integrally involved in the development of, protection against, or responses to brain diseases and injuries, funded research also can focus on immune cell interactions with brain cells. Scientists, using either conventional brain imaging techniques, cellular and molecular imaging technologies, or a combination of both, are supported to undertake pilot tests of novel hypotheses. These data then can be used to compete for larger-scale funding from other sources. Studies tend to focus on how imaging can enhance understanding of normal brain functioning; improve diagnosis; expand understanding of disease or injury processes; and assess treatment effects. Additionally, studies designed to refine existing imaging techniques, or to further develop new techniques to address specific clinical questions, are supported. Search grants

Neuroimmunology of Brain Infections and Cancers

The Neuroimmunology Program focused on brain infections and cancers. Specifically, we invited studies of 1) immune-based therapies for primary brain tumors, and for metastases to the brain of other cancers; 2) immune responses to infections in the brain, including but not limited to viral encephalitis, meningitis, cerebral malaria, and prion diseases, and 3) how the immune system affects the brain and how the brain modifies immune function. The program ran from 2004-2011.

Human Immunology

The Dana Foundation supported promising new investigators beginning their careers in patient-based immunology research as Dana Scholars. This program ran from 2004-2008.