AAN Research Program makes profound difference in careers—applications now open!
June 25, 2025
Are you—or someone you know—in need of neuroscience research funding? If so, applications are now open for the AAN’s 2026 Research Program. Grants ranging from $150,000-$450,000 are designed to help propel your career forward and fuel your passion of making meaningful contributions to neurology research.
View the full listing of 2026 funding opportunities and consider applying by the September 9, 2025, deadline.
See the impact the program has had on these recipients!
“The AAN Research Program has been essential in launching my early physician scientist career. With the AAN award, I was able to protect my research time and fund staff and experiments that provided the groundwork for our work in multiple sclerosis research. With AAN support, we have identified candidate pathways that may promote oligodendrocyte survival and remyelination and without this support these discoveries would not have been possible. The AAN grant has been critical in supporting the junior investigator phase of my career and allowed me to navigate this transition successfully and continue to investigate strategies to promote remyelination in multiple sclerosis.”
— Cole A. Harrington, MD, PhD
2024 recipient, Career Development Award
"Receiving the [award] has been a transformative experience in my career. This award has provided essential funding and protected my time, enabling me to focus on my research into SYNGAP1-related disorders, identifying biomarkers, and developing reliable outcome measures for future clinical trials. Additionally, the scholarship has provided invaluable networking opportunities with experts in the field, enhancing my ability to collaborate and grow as a clinician-scientist. It has significantly advanced my work in the pursuit of precision medicine therapies for rare genetic epilepsies and deepened my commitment to improving patient outcomes through research."
— Jillian L. McKee, MD, PhD
2024 recipient, Susan Spencer Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Epilepsy
"The [award] has been transformative for my early career, providing the crucial protected time needed to establish myself as an independent researcher following my behavioral neurology fellowship. This support has enabled me to launch a research project developing an AI-enabled conversational agent that, with careful evaluation, can safely and responsibly address the growing volume of patients with memory and cognitive concerns. Our project explores how AI can power a voice-based conversational agent to take a patient history in a similar manner to a cognitive neurologist, as well as provide decision support around diagnosis and management, potentially transforming early detection and care pathways for ADRD patients. Beyond the immediate research, this scholarship has afforded me the opportunity to build essential collaborations, publish findings, and develop the foundational skills required for scientific independence. [The award) has been the catalyst for my transition from clinician to researcher, positioning me to secure larger NIH grants while ensuring we implement AI technologies in health care ethically and effectively."
— Andrew Breithaupt, MD
2024 recipient, Robert Katzman, MD, Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Alzheimer's and Dementia Research
Thinking about applying? Here’s some advice from previous winners.
“Don’t hesitate—apply. The AAN Research Program offers invaluable protected time, resources, and mentorship that can truly advance your research and accelerate your career. It’s not just funding; it’s an opportunity to grow your ideas, expand your network, and become part of a supportive and inspiring research community.”
— Brittany Krzyzanowski, PhD
2024 recipient, Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Parkinson's Disease
“I would recommend that any neurologists without significant previous research experience, but with interest, to consider this program. It is even harder to enter research later in our careers, so it is a closing door worth exploring early if there is enough interest and opportunity.”
— Andrew P. Huang, MD
2024 recipient, Practice Research Training Scholarship
“The program is a wonderful opportunity to launch a research career. I would advise prospective applicants with innovative research ideas to start thinking early about a study concept and design. Applicants should choose a research topic that they are passionate about, as dedication is key. I would seek out mentors, ask for feedback on research ideas, and consider applying for seed grants to assist with preliminary data collection. Finally, I would search for positions with support from department leadership, which is instrumental in advancing research ideas and securing funding.”
— Elizabeth Chernyak, MD
2024 recipient, Clinical Research Training Scholarship in Neurodisparities
Questions? Attend one of our virtual office hour sessions!
A member of the AAN Research Program Subcommittee and AAN staff will be available to help you with the application process and answer your questions during one of these open-house style Zoom sessions.
- July 10, 3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. CT. .
- July 24, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. CT. .
- August 4, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT. .
- August 13, 10:00 a.m.-11:00 a.m. CT. .