McKnight Clinical Translational Research Scholarship in Cognitive Aging and Age-Related Memory Loss

Each year since 2018, the McKnight Brain Research Foundation has funded up to two McKnight Clinical Translational Research Scholarships (CTRS) in Cognitive Aging and Age-Related Memory Loss through the American Brain Foundation and the American Academy of Neurology.

The scholarships support early career clinician scientists with the purpose of developing the next generation of researchers working to better understand and alleviate the effects of age-related cognitive decline and memory loss.

The application window for the 2026 scholarships is open now through September 9, 2025. Recipients will be notified in January 2026.

Learn more and apply here.

Program At-A-Glance

Each McKnight scholarship consists of a commitment of $65,000 per year for two years, plus $10,000 per year to support formal education in clinical research methodology. To date, 13 clinician scientists have received McKnight scholarships, and two new researchers will be awarded scholarships annually from 2024-2028.

$2.25M

awarded to 13 recipients in the first four years

applications for eight McKnight Scholarships

papers published by McKnight Scholars

Renewal

The McKnight Brain Research Foundation recently renewed its commitment to the collaboration with the American Brain Foundation and American Academy of Neurology with a five-year year, $1.65 million grant to support 10 additional McKnight scholars.

Up to two scholarships per year will be awarded from 2023 to 2028.

Learn More!

If you are a clinician scientist studying cognitive aging or age-related memory loss, learn more about applying for the Clinical Translational Research Scholarship. The application window for the 2026 scholarships is open now through September 9, 2025. Recipients will be notified in January 2026.

Learn more about the application process

Scholarship Winners

The McKnight scholars represent the best and brightest early career physician scientists, and their projects have been vetted and selected by the American Academy of Neurology’s Science Committee and three Trustees of the McKnight Brain Research Foundation.

The current McKnight scholars are engaged in interdisciplinary research projects that range from studies exploring the role of sleep in memory formation, to the impact of kidney disease on cognitive impairment and memory loss, and the correlation between hearing loss and scam susceptibility in older adults. Hailing from leading universities across the country, their interdisciplinary research projects are advancing the understanding of age-related cognitive decline and memory loss.

Meet the Scholars

Funding Guidelines

Join Us

The Foundation champions research to better understand and eliminate the effects of age-related cognitive decline and memory loss. Find out how you can join the team of researchers working to advance our mission of helping people achieve a lifetime of cognitive health.

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