Leuven, Belgium – The Stop Alzheimer foundation announced today the awarding of over 5 million euros to 23 research projects focused on Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. The grants, presented at a ceremony in Leuven, represent a record level of funding for the Belgian organization, and will support investigations into modern therapies, improved diagnostic tools, and a more comprehensive understanding of the underlying causes of these debilitating conditions.
The projects were selected following a rigorous evaluation process involving international experts and the foundation’s Scientific Advisory Board, assessing each proposal based on its scientific merit and potential impact on patients and their families. Stop Alzheimer funds scientific research into the causes, prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia, according to the organization’s website.
“This record amount reflects a growing awareness in society of the enormous impact of Alzheimer’s,” said Joost Martens, director of Stop Alzheimer. “Today, we are investing in ideas that could make a difference tomorrow: from early detection to new treatments that can slow down or even stop the disease.”
Thirteen projects, led by established researchers, will each receive 300,000 euros over a three-year period. Emanuela Pasciuto of the University of Antwerp was recognized with the Young Researcher Award and an additional 50,000 euro grant. Ten projects submitted by young researchers will receive grants of 110,000 euros each, supporting their work for two years.
A significant portion of the funded research will be conducted at KU Leuven and the VIB-KU Leuven Centre for Brain Research, solidifying Leuven’s position as a leading international hub for dementia research. Professor Koen Van Laere of KU Leuven will utilize a 300,000 euro grant to employ ultra-high-resolution PET scans in an effort to visualize the earliest brain changes associated with Alzheimer’s disease.
Recent breakthroughs by researchers at VIB-KU Leuven have already contributed to a greater understanding of the disease. In May 2025, researchers in the lab of Professor Lucía Chávez Gutiérrez published findings in Molecular Neurodegeneration detailing a model that predicts the onset of familial Alzheimer’s Disease, potentially aiding in earlier diagnosis and tailored treatment strategies. A separate study, published in Nature Communications, demonstrated the role of brain immune cells in the progression of Alzheimer’s, as announced by the Stop Alzheimer Foundation in February 2026.
The Stop Alzheimer Young Researcher Congress, scheduled for March 27, 2026, in Mechelen, Belgium, will provide a platform for early-career scientists to present their findings and collaborate with peers. Keynote speakers at the congress will include Dr. Diana Arseni of the University of Cambridge, Dr. Axel Montagne of the University of Edinburgh, and Dr. Aitana Sogorb-Esteve of the Alzheimer Center Fundación Reina Sofía in Spain. Registration for the congress requires a 25 euro fee, which will be fully refunded to attendees.
