Established in 1991 and based in the United States, the Rainwater Charitable Foundation (RCF) is a private family foundation funded by the legacy left by the philanthropist Richard E Rainwater. RCF funds in the areas of higher education and at-risk children, as well as research associated with degenerative neurological diseases through the Tau Consortium.

The first Rainwater Prize Program competition took place in 2019 and is funded by RCF and the Tau Consortium. It seeks to encourage and accelerate scientific progress toward new treatments for neurodegenerative diseases by:

• Increasing awareness of the critical gaps in neurodegenerative research.
• Attracting and retaining researchers to work on tauopathies.
• Awarding scientific achievements that lead to new treatments for patients.

There are four main prize categories that are only awarded upon achievement of the defined parameters. The four prizes are:

• Outstanding Innovation in Neurodegenerative Research: Recognises investigator(s) whose work is considered a significant contribution to the understanding of tau-related diseases.
• Innovative Early Career Scientists: Intended to reward outstanding achievements of a scientist in the early stages of their academic career (within 10 years of Principal Investigator appointment) either as a first author or senior author on published neurodegenerative disease research findings.
• Milestone Prize for Advances in Tauopathy Research: Recognises investigator(s) whose work is considered a significant contribution to the understanding of tau-related diseases by addressing critical gaps in technology and disease knowledge that will help the scientific community develop effective treatments.
• Breakthrough Prize for Effective Treatments in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP): Recognises investigator(s) whose work is considered to be a significant contribution to the development of effective treatments for PSP.

Anyone can nominate an individual researcher or team of researchers in any country and in any research institution. Self-nominations are permitted.

The prize amounts are:

• Outstanding Innovation in Neurodegenerative Research: $400,000
• Innovative Early Career Scientists: $200,000
• Milestone Prize for Advances in Tauopathy Research: up to $2 million
• Breakthrough Prize for Effective Treatments in PSP: up to $10 million

It is anticipated that the prize money will be used to further the recipient’s research in neurodegenerative disease, however, funds may be spent for other non-profit purposes. Prize recipients will be honoured at an award presentation ceremony. The Milestone and Breakthrough Prizes may or may not be awarded based on the particular year’s nominations and discoveries.

Nominations must be submitted by the deadline of 5 June 2025.