Parkinson's Foundation Boosts Parkinson’s Research with $5M Funding

Additional investment accelerates new pipeline of researchers

NEW YORK & MIAMI (July 14, 2026) — The Parkinson’s Foundation has recently committed an additional $5 million in funding to accelerate Parkinson's disease (PD) research, aiming to deepen understanding of the disease, accelerate development of medical treatments and inform policies that reduce harmful environmental exposures. The significant investment underscores the Foundation's dedication to making life better for those currently living with PD, while advancing toward a cure.

"This additional $5 million in funding, made possible by the unwavering generosity of our donors, represents a pivotal investment in the future of Parkinson's disease research," said Parkinson’s Foundation Chief Scientific Officer James Beck, PhD. "It significantly strengthens our ability to accelerate breakthroughs, supporting the brightest scientific minds who are dedicated to understanding, treating and ultimately curing this complex disease."

As part of its expanded research funding strategy, the Foundation established new grant programs designed to support a robust pipeline of scientists focused on better understanding Parkinson's disease. The $5 million commitment is allocated across several key initiatives:

• Impact Awards: Establishes two subprograms and doubles the number of awards to support innovative foundational and translational PD research.
• Momentum Awards: Enables standout researchers to continue promising work from recently completed Parkinson's Foundation awards.
• Drug Discovery and Development: Supports the discovery and development of new medications, in partnership with Parkinson's UK, that address PD symptoms or aim to slow, stop, or prevent PD.
• Environmental Trigger Awards: Funds research into environmental factors linked to PD, and how certain pesticides like paraquat and other environmental toxins affect brain cells. Studies will inform policies that reduce harmful environmental exposures at the state and federal level.
• Expansion of Existing Programs: Supports the growth of the Foundation’s existing Launch Awards, Postdoctoral Fellowships and Trailblazer Awards programs.

Jane Aldrich, PhD, a recipient of a 2026 Momentum Award and 2023 Bill and Amy Gurley Impact Award, is designing, synthesizing, and testing peptides as a possible treatment for Parkinson’s disease from her lab at the University of Florida. In collaboration with Paramita Chakrabarty, PhD, Aldrich has identified a peptide that enters the brain and showed promising results in an initial study in a PD mouse model.

“I have had a long-standing interest in designing compounds that are active in the brain, and this Momentum Award will allow me to further this research,” said Aldrich. “The possibility that peptides from my lab could potentially help lead to a disease-modifying treatment for Parkinson’s disease is very exciting.”

Through a combined approach of significant research investment and dedicated policy advocacy, the Parkinson's Foundation continues its mission to make life better for people with PD and accelerate the search toward a cure. 

Learn more about the Foundation’s efforts to advance research.