Parkinson's Foundation

Grants are awarded to selective research groups for emphasizing research on Parkinson's and related disorders. Recipients are funded based on continuing excellent performance, accredited by peer review from the foundation's Scientific Advisory Board. The foundation looks for innovative, pioneering work that advances the understanding and treatment of Parkinson's disease. Evidence of notable contributions to science is also obtained by the quality of the center's research publications, and the receipt of grant support from other sources

For young clinicians who have completed their neurology residency and are seeking clinical research experience, the foundation offers the Postdoctoral Fellowships for Clinical Neurologists, one-year awards in the amount of $55,000 (to be used as salary).

Awards are available, for up to $40,000 per year, to help enable young scientists, fresh from their residencies, to study at a major research institution for one or two years. Fellows may receive sponsorship for up to two years in any one project but would need to apply for each award year following the same guidelines as new applicants. In instances where the researcher would want to file a consecutive application for fellowship, a preliminary report of the current research would be due along with the new application. The applicant must have completed a Ph.D. or M.D. and identify a research mentor who will serve as mentor for the fellow and supervisor of the research

Summer student fellowships are used to support students from advanced undergraduate to medical students in the pursuit of Parkinson's-related summer research projects. Typically fellowships are offered for ten weeks of clinical or laboratory work with an award of $4,000. The award is to be used to support the student's summer research, to defray tuition costs of research credits or to supplement living/housing costs.

Awarded in conjunction with the Melvin Weinstein Parkinson's Foundation, these grants provides emergency funding to people with Parkinson's disease for such costs as vital home adjustments and medical equipment (including wheelchairs, walkers, and canes)

The foundation and the American Brain Foundation collaborated to create this award to support mutual interest in training outstanding residency-level clinicians in the field of Parkinson's disease. Successful applicants will receive a three-year award that consists of an annual salary of $75,000 plus $5,000 in educational expenses per year to support three years of research training in an environment where talented young clinicians address problems in Parkinson's disease with the most current scientific tools. It is expected that upon completion of the program, participants will be committed to a research or combined clinical/research career in PD and will be in line to direct robust research programs relevant to PD. Eligible applicants must hold an M.D., D.O., or equivalent clinical degree from an accredited institution, and must have completed residency training but be less than seven years from completion of residency when funding begins

These fellowships award up to $50,000 per year for up to two years to support young scientists, fresh from their residencies, to study at a major research institution for one or two years. Applicants must have completed a Ph.D. or M.D. and identify a research mentor who will serve as a mentor of the fellow and supervise research

Grants and fellowships to address the etiology, pathogenesis, and treatment of Parkinson's disease

Today, only 10% of people diagnosed with Parkinson’s in the United States are receiving the best care. That is unacceptable. The Parkinson’s Foundation is accelerating its efforts to address this inequity so people with Parkinson’s get the care they need, wherever they live. Providing state-of-the-art care through our global network To ensure the best care and consistency of treatment for Parkinson’s patients, the foundation has certified 42 premier treatment and research centers worldwide. These Centers of Excellence are renowned for outstanding performance in Parkinson’s research, care and outreach. Over the next few years, we will significantly increase the number of Centers of Excellence in the network, greatly expanding our overall coverage, and facilitate innovative solutions like telemedicine care to reach the 90% of people who are not receiving care from trained specialists. Training professionals to provide expert care Responding to a nationwide shortage of trained specialists, we are closing the gap in PD professional training by educating physicians, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language therapists and social workers. The next generation of healthcare professionals must be equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to provide comprehensive care with a focus on the specific needs of individuals living with PD.

Funding the best and brightest scientists to help us The most innovative ideas and creative research initiatives often come from new investigators. The foundation currently invests nearly $10 million annually in the most promising research. Not only are we working to understand the cause and progression of Parkinson’s, we are also attracting talented scientists to a career in Parkinson’s research and funding more investigators to start careers working on Parkinson’s. Investing in new frontiers and discovery We identify and address the unmet needs of people with PD by driving cutting-edge research. Our research agenda includes studying the genetic factors, environmental factors and the gut-brain connection, where PD may originate. We must continue to provide crucial funding to innovative scientists and groundbreaking research. Assembling the largest clinical study of Parkinson’s The Parkinson’s Outcomes Project is the largest and most comprehensive Parkinson’s clinical study ever undertaken. Our work provides researchers and physicians with a comprehensive view of the disease and its overall impact on people’s lives. The study follows more than 10,000 patients in four countries. We will continue to enroll even more participants to track changes over time and establish a “gold standard” for treating Parkinson’s patients. Through this study, we have shared key findings on the importance of being screened for depression annually and engaging in 2.5 hours of exercise per week for a better quality of life.

The Parkinson’s Foundation toll-free Helpline, with the capacity to respond to both English and Spanish speaking callers, provides critical information to people living with PD, caregivers and family members. The Helpline also allows us to alert the community about important research findings, medicine shortages, adverse drug interactions and much needed advice—in real time. Our team of highly-trained Parkinson’s specialists speak with nearly 30,000 people annually. In the coming year, we will expand the hours of the Helpline to better serve the Parkinson’s community and offer support in more languages. We help people live well with PD by providing families with free resources including: our life-saving hospitalization kit, “Ask the Doctor” online forums, educational books, videos, webcasts and smartphone apps. These tools empower people living with PD to be more involved with the management of their disease and improve their quality of life. The Parkinson’s Foundation puts people living with the disease first. We are the first organization to train people with PD to partner with scientists on research and to form a national advisory council of people with Parkinson’s to ensure more efficient and effective research.