Three Researchers Granted Over $1 Million to De-Risk and Progress Preclinical Drug Candidates for Neurodegenerative Diseases
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Rainwater Charitable Foundation awarded over $1 million across three Sprint to Lead projects targeting tau-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Newswise — FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 10, 2026 -- The Rainwater Charitable Foundation (RCF), one of the largest independent funders of neurodegenerative research, today announced over $1 million in grants to fund three innovative one-year research projects focused on targeting tau as an underlying disease driver, stemming from the 2026 Sprint to Lead (S2L) drug discovery grant program.
S2L fosters original ideas focused on accelerating the development of therapies for primary tauopathies within the hit-to-lead and lead optimization development phases of drug discovery. While the goal is to de-risk and advance preclinical drug candidates, successful projects may generate the evidence needed to support subsequent in vivo proof-of-concept and, where appropriate, later investigational new drug (IND)–enabling studies.
Primary tauopathies are a class of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the abnormal accumulation of tau protein, including progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP), corticobasal degeneration (CBD), Pick's disease (PiD), and certain forms of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD). While emerging discoveries have deepened our understanding of tau-related neurodegeneration, substantial gaps remain in translating these insights into therapies that can deliver meaningful clinical benefit.
Through this inaugural S2L funding, three researchers will each receive $350,000 to support proposals selected for their potential to advance promising preclinical therapeutic candidates targeting tau-driven neurodegenerative diseases.
"Despite remarkable innovations in our understanding of tau pathology, transforming insights into effective therapies remains one of the field's greatest challenges," said Jeremy Smith, President of the Rainwater Charitable Foundation. "We believe that supporting bold, translational science at critical stages of drug discovery is imperative to help bridge that gap. Through Sprint to Lead, we aim to advance promising therapeutic approaches and bring renewed hope to people living with these devastating neurodegenerative diseases."
The RCF encourages applications from interdisciplinary teams that bring together diverse expertise. Details on the letter of intent (LOI) submission dates for the 2027 S2L program will be made available in the coming months.
About the Rainwater Charitable Foundation's Medical Research
The Rainwater Charitable Foundation (RCF) was created in the early 1990s by Richard E. Rainwater, the late private equity investor and philanthropist. When Richard was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease and primary tauopathy called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), the RCF expanded its mission to accelerate the development of new diagnostics and treatments for tau-related neurodegenerative disorders. The RCF Medical Research Team supports this focus by managing the Tau Consortium, the Rainwater Prize, and the Tauopathy Challenge Workshop. With over $165 million invested in medical research to date, the RCF has helped to advance eight treatments into human trials. Currently, RCF supports medical research and a range of initiatives that expand opportunity, promote well-being, and strengthen communities in Fort Worth.
