Pilot Award - Alzheimer's Research UK
Pilot Award - Alzheimer's Research UK supports researchers testing bold, early-stage dementia ideas and building multidisciplinary collaborations to generate data and lay foundations for further research.
Browse similar grants
Funder: Alzheimer's Research UK
Due Dates: July 2026 (Applications open) | October 28, 2026 (Application deadline) | Spring 2027 (Funding outcome)
Funding Amounts: Up to £100,000 for a maximum of 12 months
Summary: Supports bold, early-stage dementia research that tests novel hypotheses, generates exploratory data, and builds multidisciplinary collaborations.
Key Information: Lead Applicants must be based at a UK university, hospital, or research institution.
Description
Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Pilot Award supports early-stage, high-risk, high-reward ideas with the potential to unlock new directions in dementia research. Researchers at all career stages can use the award to test highly novel hypotheses and explore concepts that could be transformational for people affected by dementia. Extensive preliminary data are not required, although any available data will be considered.
The scheme particularly welcomes new multidisciplinary collaborations and researchers entering dementia research from related fields, such as data science, chemistry, and mathematics. It also encourages Early Career Researchers to develop a first independent project alongside an established Joint Lead Applicant providing mentorship. The data and collaborations generated are intended to provide a foundation for subsequent project and programme funding.
