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12 Headlines In total, more than $2.6 million was allocated to vital neurological research. As always, the demand for funding far outstripped what we were able to award– we received 66 applications for funding, with the total value requested of $9,754,805. All applications go through a rigorous selection process to ensure we fund the people and projects with the greatest potential. We are extremely proud of the diversity that comes through both in the applications we receive and the grants given. Our funding has national and international reach; spans multiple universities, centres and labs; and supports early career scientists through to New Zealand’s pre-eminent neuroscientists. For example, in this round seven projects were funded in Auckland, two in Wellington, and seven in Dunedin. And our support is not limited to New Zealand. We received four applications from New Zealand researchers wanting to complete projects overseas to bring the knowledge back to New Zealand. Two were successful – an Alzheimer’s research project at the University of Utah in the United States, and a dementia study at the University of British Columbia in Canada. We are proud to support women in neuroscience and are pleased to report that the majority of our principal investigators in this round are female, receiving just over $1.4m of the $2.6m awarded. Supporting early career researchers, as well as established experts in the field, is vital to ensure the next generation of neuroscientists. Ten of the 18 successful grants in this round are led by early career researchers (who are within ten years of receiving a PhD). Overall, 13 of the awarded grants include students or early career scientists. Congratulations to all the students, scientists and clinicians who were successful in their applications. We know that research is now more difficult than ever, and we wish the recipients the very best for a successful start to their life- changing endeavours. And every dollar we commit to vital neurological research is only possible thanks to the generous donations we receive from everyday New Zealanders, thank you. Total funds requested $9,754,805 Total number of applications 66 Number of grants awarded 18 Total funding awarded $2,615,738 Below is a summary of the main grants awarded: Projects Grants Prof Maurice Curtis, University of Auckland FTDGeNZ: Identifying pre-symptomatic biomarkers of dementia $243,020 The key to combating dementia is early detection. One way to identify early biomarkers is to study people with genetic mutations that will cause dementia in the future. The New Zealand Genetic Frontotemporal Dementia Study (FTDGeNZ) is an established study of a family with genetic frontotemporal dementia. They are studying people in this family decades before they are expected to develop dementia symptoms, to identify the earliest changes in a range of potential biomarkers. The rationale is that these biomarkers will identify dementia in its earliest stages in the general population, so that early intervention is possible. Proudly supported by the Withiel Fund Dr Hannah Jones, Starship Clinical Research Operations Maternal Psoriasis and Infant Neurodevelopmental Outcomes – A clinical and mechanistic study $229,635 Neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and tic disorders affect one in six children, and are caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Early studies suggest maternal psoriasis and inflammation in pregnancy may affect brain development in utero. This study will investigate the neurodevelopment of children born tomothers with psoriasis and inflammatory and gene regulatory pathways that may be affected in these children. Psoriasis and inflammation are treatable and common conditions and understanding whether they affect foetal neurodevelopment is important in the prevention and treatment of neurodevelopmental disorders. Latest research grant round – 2021B We are excited to share the latest grant recipients from the Neurological Foundation’s second funding round for 2021.