Alzheimer’s Research UK is a UK charity dedicated to funding world-class research to find preventions, treatments and a cure for dementia.

Alzheimer’s Research UK’s Inspire Fund forms part of the charity’s work to build the understanding of dementia and share the benefits of dementia research. The scheme specifically seeks to engage underserved communities with the topic of brain health and reducing the risk of dementia.

Projects are generally expected to last up to 12 months and can use a range of methods to engage with their audience. Applications using creative or innovative approaches to explore the topic of brain health and dementia are welcomed. Applicants are encouraged to consider their audience when selecting methods of engagement, to ensure people are able to take part.

Inspire Fund projects must meet both core criteria:

1. Projects must engage with underserved audiences on the topic of dementia, such as minority ethnic communities, marginalised or socioeconomically disadvantaged people.
2. Build knowledge and understanding about brain health (in the context of dementia risk reduction) and explore ways to encourage behaviour change.

The Inspire Fund is open to all. Collaborative applications are particularly encouraged, as are those that build relationships between communities and researchers.

Lead applicants must be based in the UK and delivering projects based in the UK. Projects can have consultants, collaborators or partners based outside the UK.

Seed fund applicants can apply for up to £5,000 for their project. Four to six seed fund projects are expected to be supported in this round.

Follow on funding will also be available for past Inspire Fund grant holders, to grow the scale and impact of their previous projects, with grants of up to £20,000 per project. Applicants for follow-on funding should contact the Involvement & Engagement team for more information.

An information webinar will be held on 5 August 2025 to provide further information about the opportunity.

Applications to the 2025 seed fund round of applications should be submitted by 8 September 2025 (17:00).