2,876 foundations$8.1B total annual giving$12K median grant57 states with funders
Discover 2,876 grantmaking foundations funding medical research programs, with combined annual giving of $8.1B. The median grant size for medical research is $12K.
Medical Research Grantmaking at a Glance
Foundations
2,876
Total Annual Giving
$8.1B
Total Assets Under Management
$104.3B
Median Grant Size
$12K
States with Funders
57
Total Grants on Record
17,372
Open Grant Opportunities
Live programs funding medical research that your nonprofit can apply to now.
Open nowCloses in 3 days (Sep 30, 2026)Award: $80K – $3M
Basic biological researchApplied medical researchHuman health+4 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be qualifying IRS-registered, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organizations with public charity status under 509(a)(1) or 509(a)(2), or public universities under IRC 170(c). Medical research applicants must generally have received Foundation funding within the past ten years; individual researchers are not eligible. Applications must be approved and submitted through the university Provost, Vice President of Research, sponsored research office, or equivalent institutional office. Each medical research institution may submit one application per grant cycle. Studies selected through an internal competition are preferred.
Crisis, poverty, illness, trauma, and loss of opportunityFamily stability and personal responsibilityCommunity strengthening, including churches and faith-based initiatives+4 more
Who can apply: Applicants must be tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organizations under the Internal Revenue Code and generally must have at least two years of established nonprofit status. Alpha prioritizes organizations serving Madison County, Alabama, but considers requests from organizations outside the area. Applicants should demonstrate strong leadership and governance, sustainable operations and financial stability, measurable program impact, collaboration, and a diverse base of financial support. Individuals, political organizations and activities, event sponsorships, conferences, seminars, debt retirement, and projects without clear goals and measurable outcomes are not eligible.
medical researchHereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP)Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS)+2 more
Who can apply: Researchers and research institutions submitting proposals for HSP/PLS-related medical research. The site does not provide detailed eligibility criteria in the scraped content.
Cancer researchAlzheimer's researchParkinson's research
Who can apply: Applicant must be a nonprofit with IRS 501(c)(3) confirmation letter; projects must further the Foundation's mission and demonstrate competent management and measurable results. Preference to organizations in the D.C. area, Chicago, and Florida. Generally not for general operating support.
Medical researchBasic researchTranslational research+2 more
Who can apply: Applicants seeking research funding over $25,000 must submit an LOI describing the program, perceived need, goals and methodology, estimated budget, timeline, and contact information. Indirect costs of up to 15% of direct costs are allowed.
Medical researchClinical medical applicationsDisease cures
Who can apply: Applicants must be qualified organizations exempt from taxation under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3). 509(a)(3) supporting organizations must provide additional information. Grants are not made to individuals. Medical research using animal subjects is ineligible. Requests generally support one-year projects; longer medical research projects must include a clear timeline and explanation. Travel, publications, principal investigator salary, and equipment require strong justification.
The typical Medical Research foundation awards grants of $12K. Approximately 39% of Medical Research foundations actively fund new organizations, and 62% accept unsolicited proposals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Medical Research Grants
How many foundations fund medical research?
There are 2,876 grantmaking foundations that fund medical research programs across 57 states.
What is the median grant size for medical research?
The median grant from foundations funding medical research is $12K. Actual grant sizes vary widely depending on the foundation's size and giving strategy.
What are the largest medical research foundations?
The largest foundations funding medical research by annual giving include THE MICHAEL J FOX FOUNDATION FOR PARKINSON'S RESEARCH, FRED HUTCHINSON CANCER RESEARCH CENTER, THE SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, with combined giving of $456.2M.
Which states have the most medical research funders?
The states with the most medical research foundations are California (344), New York (337), Florida (240). Use the geographic breakdown above to see the full distribution.
How do I find medical research grants for my nonprofit?
Kindora's free funder database includes 2,876 foundations funding medical research with IRS 990 financial data, grant history, and geographic reach. Use the interactive discovery table above to filter by state, foundation type, and grant size. Sign up for a free account to access AI-powered grant intelligence including fit scores and application tips.
AI-Powered Grant Intelligence for Medical Research
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Application Tips
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