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The Rainwater Charitable Foundation, a leading independent funder of neurodegenerative research, has announced the recipients of the prestigious 2025 Rainwater Prizes.
Kaj Blennow
Dr. Kaj Blennow, M.D., Ph.D., from the University of Gothenburg in Sweden, will receive the 2025 Outstanding Innovation in Neurodegenerative Research Prize, which includes a $400,000 award. Dr. Bess Frost, Ph.D., from Brown University, will be awarded the 2025 Rainwater Prize for Innovative Early-Career Scientist, accompanied by a $200,000 prize.
Bess Frost
These awards honor groundbreaking scientific contributions in the field of neurodegenerative research, particularly for diseases linked to the accumulation of tau protein in the brain, known as primary tauopathies.
Neurodegenerative disorders, broadly, are a group of conditions that involve the progressive loss of structure or function of neurons, the nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Over time, these disorders lead to the deterioration of cognitive, motor, and other neurological functions. Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, and Lou Gehrig’s Disease (ALS) are classified as neurodegenerative disorders.
"It's a great honor to be recognized by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation and receive this special award," said Blennow in a statement. "The prize encourages me to continue exploring Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, helping further our understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and tau pathology in the brain."
The Rainwater Charitable Foundation was created in the early 1990s by renowned private equity investor and philanthropist Richard E. Rainwater of Fort Worth. When Rainwater was diagnosed with a rare neurodegenerative disease and primary tauopathy called Progressive Supranuclear Palsy (PSP), the foundation expanded its mission to accelerate the development of new diagnostics and treatments for tau-related neurodegenerative disorders.
The RCF Medical Research Team support this focus by managing the Tau Consortium, the Rainwater Prize Program and the Tauopathy Challenge Workshop. With more than $140 million invested in medical research to date, the RCF has helped to advance eight treatments into human trials. Currently the RCF supports a range of programs, including a focus on family economic security, medical research, and other initiatives that drive positive change.
Both of this year’s recipients will be recognized for their achievements during the 2025 Tau Global Conference, scheduled for April 24-25 in London.
To learn more about the research of these two scientists, go here.