Rainwater Prize Program for Neurodegenerative Research
Established in 1991 and based in the United States, the Rainwater Charitable Foundation (RCF) is a private family foundation funded by the legacy left by the philanthropist Richard E Rainwater. RCF funds in the areas of higher education and at-risk children, as well as research associated with degenerative neurological diseases through the Tau Consortium.
The first Rainwater Prize Program competition took place in 2019 and is funded by RCF and the Tau Consortium. It seeks to encourage and accelerate scientific progress towards new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases by:
Enhancing awareness of the critical gaps in neurodegenerative research.
Attracting researchers to work on tauopathies.
Awarding scientific achievements that lead to new treatments for progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
There are four main prize categories that are only awarded upon achievement of the defined parameters. The four prizes are:
Rainwater Prize for Outstanding Innovation in Neurodegenerative Research: Recognises investigator(s) whose work is considered a significant contribution to the understanding of tau-related diseases.
Rainwater Prize for Innovative Early Career Scientists: Intended to reward outstanding achievements of a scientist in the early stages of their academic career (within 10 years of Principal Investigator appointment) either as a first author or senior author on published neurodegenerative disease research findings.
Rainwater Milestone Prize for Advances in Tauopathy Research: Recognises investigator(s) whose work is considered a significant contribution to the understanding of tau-related diseases by addressing critical gaps in technology and disease knowledge that will help the scientific community develop effective treatments.
Rainwater Breakthrough Prize for Effective Treatments in PSP: Recognises investigator(s) whose work is considered a significant contribution to the development of effective treatments for PSP and has led to a treatment that has significantly improved the welfare of patients.
Anyone can nominate an individual researcher or team of researchers in any country and in any research institution. Self-nominations are permitted. Nominees must have made significant contributions to research in tau-related diseases within the scope of the prize for which the nominee is being considered.
The prize amounts are:
Prize for Outstanding Innovation in Neurodegenerative Research: $250,000
Rainwater Prize for Innovative Early Career Scientists: $150,000
Rainwater Milestone Prize for Advances in Tauopathy Research: up to $2 million
Rainwater Breakthrough Prize for Effective Treatments in PSP: up to $10 million
It is anticipated that the prize money will be used to further the recipient’s research in neurodegenerative disease, however, funds may be spent for other non-profit purposes. The milestone and breakthrough prizes may or may not be awarded based on the particular year’s nominations and discoveries.
Nominations must be submitted by the deadline of 1 June 2021.
More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.