Donors Driving Discovery
Transform your donation into a meaningful investment in the most promising and innovative disease-modifying research while connecting with leading scientists through private briefings, lab visits, and interactive Q&A sessions.
100%
Most importantly, every dollar you give goes directly to supporting research.
About the foundation
The Movement Disorders Foundation (MDF) is committed to funding the most promising, translational research and treatments to improve the quality of life for people with movement disorders.
We find, assess and support today's "undiscovered pioneers" in research and provide seed funding for projects that have a clear possibility of working at scale, but for which grant funding may be difficult to obtain. MDF funding accelerates such projects to a more reliable proof of concept.
MDF also empowers donors to turn their generosity into meaningful investments by inviting them to engage directly with leading scientists through private briefings, lab visits, and interactive Q&A sessions—offering an inside look at breakthroughs as they happen. Your tax-deductible contribution automatically makes you a fractional underwriter of the project you support.
Click here to learn more and how to support the Movement Disorders Foundation.
OUR strongest commitment to advancing translational and clinical research aimed at the prevention and treatment of movement disorders
Young Investigator Pilot Grants
Since 2020, we have awarded over $850,000 to early-career research scientists whose high-risk, high-reward projects have encouraged cross-disease investigation and driven new insights into the pathophysiology, causes, and treatment of multiple movement disorders.
To be eligible for consideration, applicants are required to demonstrate the potential of their research to facilitate rapid translation to clinically useful therapies and facilitate competition for a NIH R01 grant or equivalent.
Our RESEARCH GRANTEES
Movement Disorders Foundation encourages research that has promise in a specific disease, and where possible, may also advance understanding of other movement disorders.
In 2024, we awarded $50,000 grants to the three young investigators featured below.
In 2025, we awarded a $200,000 grant to a rising research scientist for his work in identifying potent lead therapeutic ligands for a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders.
Click the profiles below to learn more about each scientist's project, as well as ways to directly support their research and receive regular updates on their projects.
Emily Oldani, PhD
University of Denver
A high-throughput cellular approach to identify potent antagonists of HTT aggregation mediated HD pathology
Michael Flower, MD
UCL Institute of Neurology, London
CSF biomarkers for somatic instability and treatment efficacy
Emily Forbes, DO
University of Colorado
Relationship between slow wave sleep, glymphatic clearance, and cognition in Huntington’s and Parkinson’s disease
Sunil Kumar, PhD
University of Denver
Identification of potent lead therapeutic ligands for a wide range of neurodegenerative disorders.
Direct Donor-Scientist Connection
Through the YIPG program, donors—especially those with a curiosity for science—gain a front-row seat to discovery. You’ll learn directly from pioneering researchers and follow their progress in real time, a rare opportunity available through few other philanthropic programs.
Scientists gain advocates, not just ATMs. Donors who feel ownership are more likely to become long-term, sustainable supporters of a scientist's work, rather than providing one-off grants.
Excitement and direct feed back from donors who believe in their project can be a huge morale boost for researchers, especially during the challenging periods inherent to scientific discovery.
Receive updates before they're public.
See the science in action.
Have your specific questions answered by the experts.
Connect with other donors and scientists.
Many paths...One goal...Breakthroughs....
Every dollar drives discovery
Every gift, no matter the size, fuels bold science and discovery.
Your contribution gives you a verifiable stake in a specific research project-transforming your gift from a donation to a general fund into an investment that delivers tangible outcomes.
By supporting YIPGs-at any level-you'll witness the real-world impact of your generosity through regular updates, reports, and firsthand insights from the scientists leading the work.
Every dollar of your Young Investigator Pilot Grant contribution goes directly to research. Administrative costs are fully covered by annual fund support, ensuring your gift has maximum impact.
Click here to learn more and how to support how to support Young Investigator Pilot Grants.
Double your impact
Many employers match charitable donations, instantly multiplying the impact of your gift.
Fundraise with friends
Rally your friends, family, and colleagues to support research, amplifying awareness and resources.
Leave a legacy
Include us in your estate plans-underwrite a YIPG in your name or in honor of someone and ensure your commitment to research endures.
Donate assets
Donate securities, retirement assets, or other appreciated assets for significant tax advantages while advancing research.
Grant Opportunities
The Movement Disorders Foundation accepts and evaluates requests for funding throughout the year through our grant application process. In addition, we occasionally issues calls for grant proposals or letters of inquiry on specific topics or issues to be submitted by a pre-announced submission date.
Our grantmaking strategies support scientists at the beginning of their careers and areas of research that are poised for significant advancement but are currently undervalued and underfunded.
Movement Disorders Research NEWS, Thursday, march 19, 2026
Stay current with the latest discoveries in movement-disorders science.
Click an image to open this week’s featured article from the Movement Disorders Research News and get the full summary, researcher videos, and links to original papers.
Explore the latest in movement disorders research
We launched the Movement Disorders Research News in 2022 with a simple aim - to bring the latest advances and discoveries in movement disorders research to individuals diagnosed with a movement disorder and their care partners.
Each week, we handpick the most important advances in Parkinson’s disease, dystonia, essential tremor, Huntington’s disease, and related movement disorders from around the world. From our first issue through today, the response has been tremendous - with an industry leading 46% open rate week in, week out.
Now in its fourth year, the Movement Disorders Research News reaches more than 2,700 subscribers each week, including over 1,400 active readers. In August 2025, we proudly published the 150th edition of our digest.
For as little as $2 a month, your tax-deductible donation helps sustain our weekly reporting on the latest discoveries in movement disorders research. Click here to learn more and how to support Movement Disorders Research News.
Missed an issue? Click here to access our online archive and click here to subscribe and begin receiving our free weekly digest.
You Can Drive Discovery — Launch Your Fundraising Page
Peer-to-peer (P2P) fundraising is one of the most effective ways to set a goal, tell your story and activate your community.
Individuals can create a fundraiser to raise funds on behalf of Movement Disorders Foundation and create a powerful, customizable webpage for collecting donations online.
Giving is better when we do it together.