BrightFocus Foundation
BrightFocus Foundation is a leading nonprofit organization dedicated to funding innovative scientific research and providing expert information to defeat Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. With a mission to envision a world where everyone can age free from diseases of mind and sight, BrightFocus invests in groundbreaking research, supports the next generation of scientists, and empowers individuals and families with trusted resources. Over its 50-year history, the foundation has awarded nearly $300 million in research grants to more than 6,000 scientists worldwide, catalyzing life-changing breakthroughs and advancing public education on brain and vision health. The foundation's impact is evident in major scientific milestones, such as the first successful cell transplantation for glaucoma, FDA "Breakthrough Therapy" designations, and the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for neurodegenerative and vision diseases.
BrightFocus Foundation
22512 Gateway Center Drive, Clarksburg, MD 20871, USA
What We Do
A signature program funding research to better detect, prevent, and cure Alzheimer’s disease, and providing expert information to the public.
Funds research into the causes, prevention, and treatment of macular degeneration, and offers resources for patients and caregivers.
Supports research projects on the causes, prevention, and treatment of glaucoma, and provides educational resources.
Includes 'Zoom In on Dementia & Alzheimer’s', 'Macular Chats', and 'Glaucoma Chats'—live and audio programs connecting the public with experts and the latest research.
Immersive workshops for early-career scientists in Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma research, fostering collaboration and mentorship.
BrightFocus Foundation provides initial and early-stage funding for innovative, experimental research projects in Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Grants are awarded to scientists worldwide through a rigorous peer-review process.
Psychological and Cognitive Health and Performance
Show More (1)Key People
President and CEO
Vice President, Scientific Affairs
Sr. Vice President, Development
Sr. Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration
Nobel Laureate and Honorary Member, Board of Directors
Funded Projects
Unlikely Alliances: Building Funding Partnerships That Bridge Interests
A case study of civilian and military partnerships illustrates how finding an intersection of very different perspectives and very different funding approaches together to advance mutual interests.
News & Updates
BrightFocus Foundation announced nearly $13 million in grants to support 50 scientists exploring risk reduction, earlier detection, and new treatments for Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, and glaucoma.
Drs. Val C. Sheffield and Edwin M. Stone of the University of Iowa received the 2025 Helen Keller Prize for Vision Research for their groundbreaking work, awarded by BrightFocus Foundation and Helen Keller Foundation.
The annual BrightFocus Vision Research Awards honor outstanding scientists pursuing groundbreaking macular degeneration and glaucoma research.
BrightFocus has funded the boldest research and 'what-if' ideas for over 50 years, resulting in novel treatments and diagnostic tools in use today.
BrightFocus grantee Petr Baranov, MD, PhD, and team at Harvard Medical School achieved the first successful transplantation of lab-grown retinal ganglion cells into mice, paving the way for future vision-restoring treatments for late-stage glaucoma.
Pioneering work by BrightFocus grantee Ilyas Washington, PhD, led to the FDA 'Breakthrough Therapy' designation for a potential Stargardt disease treatment, with implications for dry AMD.
BrightFocus grantee Thomas Karikari, PhD, identified a new blood biomarker (BD-tau) that correlates with neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment, outperforming existing tests for early Alzheimer’s detection.
BrightFocus grantees Kapil Bharti, PhD, and Amir Kashani, MD, PhD, contributed to the first patient-derived stem cell therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration in a landmark NIH clinical trial.
A team led by BrightFocus grantee Carol Cheung, PhD, developed an artificial intelligence model capable of detecting Alzheimer’s disease from retina scans, enabling faster and more accessible screening.
Key early findings from BrightFocus-funded research were pivotal in the FDA approval of the first complement pathway drug to treat geographic atrophy, an advanced form of age-related macular degeneration.
BrightFocus-funded scientist Dr. Mark Ebbert uses advanced genetic sequencing to identify overlooked changes in the brain, potentially enabling earlier diagnosis of Alzheimer’s.
A study co-funded by BrightFocus and The Glaucoma Foundation reveals new insights that could inspire novel treatments for exfoliation glaucoma.
BrightFocus Macular Degeneration Research grant recipient Dr. Brittany Carr is developing improved experimental models to advance prevention of vision loss.
Highlights include early detection via exosomes, new night vision tests, and insights into inflammation and gender in macular degeneration.
A National Glaucoma Research-funded scientist is building a 3D model of the optic nerve to inspire new glaucoma treatments.
A BrightFocus-funded scientist investigates a regeneration technique to restore cells lost in late-stage age-related macular degeneration.
A new Alzheimer’s blood test may reveal disease progression and identify patients most likely to benefit from anti-amyloid therapies.
BrightFocus grant recipient Keith Hengen, PhD, pioneers a novel approach to identifying Alzheimer’s risk in early life.
The Lumipulse G β-Amyloid Ratio (1-42/1-40) blood test, manufactured by Fujirebio Diagnostics, is cleared to aid Alzheimer’s diagnosis.
Legislation jeopardizes health care for millions of Americans living with Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, glaucoma, and other serious conditions.
A three-year collaboration supports pioneering non-invasive treatment strategies for Alzheimer’s disease using focused ultrasound.
Ongoing collaboration advances promising Alzheimer's drug discovery research in Southern California.
An immersive workshop for graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and early-career scientists focused on Alzheimer’s disease research, held November 12-14, 2025 in San Diego, CA.
A daylong workshop for early-career glaucoma researchers, official pre-symposium to the ISER/BrightFocus Glaucoma Symposium, October 8, 2025, Atlanta, GA.
An immersive workshop to accelerate progress toward a cure for age-related macular degeneration, September 15, 2025, Prague, Czech Republic.