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Disease Report: Parkinson's disease


Groups and Companies
Funding
Standard of Care
Unmet Medical Need
Novel Modalities and Combinations
Symptoms Evidence
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Pathogenesis Evidence
Pathogenesis Targets
Assays and Models

Certainly! Here is a comprehensive, up-to-date answer based on the latest available information (as of May 2025), with sources provided for each statement.

1. Summary:

Parkinson’s disease research and drug development are funded by a mix of nonprofit foundations, governmental agencies, international consortia, and pharmaceutical industry collaborations. Funding opportunities range from basic science to translational and clinical research, including drug discovery, biomarker development, and patient-centered studies. Below is an extensive overview of the major funding agencies, current funding opportunities, and open calls specifically for Parkinson’s disease.

2. Funding Agencies:

Nonprofit Foundations

  • American Parkinson Disease Association (APDA): A major U.S. nonprofit that has invested over $313 million since 1961 in research, patient services, and education. Offers annual research grants and supports Centers for Advanced Research.
    • Source: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/research/what-we-fund/
  • Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF): The world’s largest nonprofit funder of Parkinson’s research, with over $2 billion invested. Runs multiple grant programs, including the Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) initiative.
    • Source: https://www.michaeljfox.org/funding-opportunities
  • Parkinson’s Foundation: U.S.-based, invests millions annually in research grants, fellowships, and community grants, supporting both early-career and established researchers.
    • Source: https://www.parkinson.org/advancing-research/finding-cure/currently-funded-grants
  • Parkinson’s UK: The largest member-led charitable funder of Parkinson’s research in Europe, with over £120 million invested. Offers project grants, fellowships, and collaborative funding.
    • Source: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/research-grants
  • Parkinson Alliance: U.S. nonprofit that raises funds for clinical research, patient education, and innovative projects, awarding grants to major U.S. Parkinson’s organizations and research institutions.
    • Source: https://www.parkinsonalliance.org/research-resources/grants/
  • Parkinson Canada: Supports Canadian researchers through pilot projects and early-stage research funding.
    • Source: https://www.parkinson.ca/research/for-researchers/

Governmental Agencies

  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS), NIH: The primary U.S. federal funder for Parkinson’s research, supporting basic, translational, and clinical research, including the Udall Centers of Excellence.
    • Source: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/current-research/focus-disorders/parkinsons-disease-research/parkinsons-disease-research-centers-excellence
  • Department of Defense Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) – Parkinson’s Research Program (PRP): Provides federal funding for Parkinson’s disease research, with annual calls for proposals.
    • Source: https://cdmrp.health.mil/prp/default.aspx
  • National Plan to End Parkinson’s Act (2024): U.S. federal initiative to coordinate research and services across agencies.
    • Source: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/current-research/trans-agency-activities/national-plan-end-parkinsons
  • International Governmental Agencies: India’s DBT and ICMR, Australia’s NHMRC, and others regularly issue calls for Parkinson’s research proposals.
    • Source: https://www.editage.com/insights/unlocking-global-funding-for-parkinsons-disease-research-a-world-of-opportunities

International Consortia

  • Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP): An international, multidisciplinary, multi-institutional initiative funding collaborative research teams and tool development for Parkinson’s.
    • Source: https://parkinsonsroadmap.org/funding-opportunities/
  • Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2): International program focused on genetic research in Parkinson’s.
    • Source: https://www.michaeljfox.org/funding-opportunities

Pharmaceutical Industry & Consortia

  • Critical Path for Parkinson’s (CPP) Consortium: Includes major pharma companies (AbbVie, AstraZeneca, Biogen, Eli Lilly, Merck, Pfizer, UCB) collaborating to accelerate drug development and clinical trials for Parkinson’s.
    • Source: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/7-major-pharma-companies-sign-parkinsons-initiative
  • Biotech Startups and Pharma: Companies like Neuron23, Cala Health, D&D Pharmatech, and others are actively developing new drugs for Parkinson’s, often in partnership with larger pharma or through venture funding.
    • Source: https://medicalstartups.org/top/parkinsons/

3. Funding Opportunities (Current as of May 2025):

APDA

  • APDA Research Grants: Up to $75,000 for one year, open to all research scientists (including international applicants). Letter of Intent due December 16, 2024; full application due April 2025.
    • Source: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/research/research-opportunities/grants/

MJFF

  • ASAP Collaborative Research Network (CRN): Grants up to $2 million/year for three years for collaborative, multidisciplinary teams.
  • Therapeutics Pipeline Program: Rolling applications for preclinical and clinical therapeutic development, awards range from $250,000 to $2 million+.
  • GP2 Underrepresented Populations PhD Program: Supports 3-year PhD studentships in Parkinson’s genetics.
    • Source: https://www.michaeljfox.org/funding-opportunities

Parkinson’s Foundation

  • Independent Investigator Awards, Fellowships, Community Grants: Multiple annual cycles, supporting a range of research from basic science to patient-centered care.
    • Source: https://www.parkinson.org/advancing-research/finding-cure/currently-funded-grants

Parkinson’s UK

  • Project Grants, Non-Drug Approaches Grants, Senior Research Fellowships: Open calls with deadlines in May, July, and September 2025.
    • Source: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/open-funding-calls

Parkinson Alliance

  • Research Grants: For clinical research, patient education, and innovative projects. Application details on their website.
    • Source: https://www.parkinsonalliance.org/research-resources/grants/

Governmental

  • NINDS/NIH Grants: Multiple mechanisms (R01, P50 Udall Centers, etc.), with rolling and annual deadlines. See NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts.
    • Source: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/find-funding-opportunities
  • Department of Defense PRP: Annual calls for proposals, supporting all types of Parkinson’s research.
    • Source: https://cdmrp.health.mil/prp/default.aspx

International

  • ASAP Tool Development Grants: Up to $2 million/year for three years, open internationally.
    • Source: https://parkinsonsroadmap.org/funding-opportunities/
  • India DBT/ICMR, Australia NHMRC: Regular calls for Parkinson’s research proposals.
    • Source: https://www.editage.com/insights/unlocking-global-funding-for-parkinsons-disease-research-a-world-of-opportunities

4. Open Calls (as of May 2025):

  • APDA Research Grants: LOI due December 16, 2024; full application due April 2025.
    • https://www.apdaparkinson.org/research/research-opportunities/grants/
  • MJFF Therapeutics Pipeline Program: Rolling deadline.
    • https://www.michaeljfox.org/funding-opportunities
  • ASAP Collaborative Research Network: Technical Track applications due May 5, 2025.
    • https://parkinsonsroadmap.org/funding-opportunities/
  • Parkinson’s UK Non-Drug Approaches Grant: Preproposal deadline May 15, 2025; full application September 11, 2025.
    • https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/open-funding-calls
  • Parkinson’s UK Senior Research Fellowship: Preproposal deadline July 2, 2025.
    • https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/open-funding-calls
  • Department of Defense PRP: FY2024 anticipated funding opportunities open.
    • https://cdmrp.health.mil/prp/default.aspx

5. Additional Context:

  • Many of these agencies also offer fellowships, early-career awards, and support for international applicants.
  • Pharmaceutical industry involvement is often through consortia or partnerships, rather than direct grant programs.
  • For the most up-to-date deadlines and eligibility, always check the official websites or contact the program officers directly.
  • Some opportunities (e.g., MJFF, ASAP) are open to international applicants and encourage multidisciplinary, collaborative research.

6. References:

  • APDA: https://www.apdaparkinson.org/research/research-opportunities/grants/
  • MJFF: https://www.michaeljfox.org/funding-opportunities
  • Parkinson’s Foundation: https://www.parkinson.org/advancing-research/finding-cure/currently-funded-grants
  • Parkinson’s UK: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/research/open-funding-calls
  • Parkinson Alliance: https://www.parkinsonalliance.org/research-resources/grants/
  • NINDS/NIH: https://www.ninds.nih.gov/funding/find-funding-opportunities
  • Department of Defense PRP: https://cdmrp.health.mil/prp/default.aspx
  • ASAP: https://parkinsonsroadmap.org/funding-opportunities/
  • India DBT/ICMR: https://www.editage.com/insights/unlocking-global-funding-for-parkinsons-disease-research-a-world-of-opportunities
  • Critical Path for Parkinson’s: https://www.parkinsons.org.uk/news/7-major-pharma-companies-sign-parkinsons-initiative
  • Biotech Startups: https://medicalstartups.org/top/parkinsons/
If you need more details on a specific funding program, eligibility, or application process, please specify!