Alkermes Expands Research Grants to Include Narcolepsy
Alkermes plc has broadened its annual research grant program to fund studies on narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, offering up to $100,000 per project
Alkermes plc is now accepting applications for its ninth annual competitive research grant program, which has expanded to include central disorders of hypersomnolence. The Alkermes Pathways Research Awards will offer individual grants of up to $100,000 per project to early-career scientists. The new focus areas are narcolepsy type 1, narcolepsy type 2, and idiopathic hypersomnia.
This marks a significant shift for the program, which previously concentrated on schizophrenia and bipolar I disorder. According to the company, the expansion reflects a commitment to supporting innovative research in areas of significant unmet need within neuroscience. The sleep and circadian disturbances associated with the program's original psychiatric conditions remain eligible for funding alongside the new hypersomnia disorders.
Craig Hopkinson, chief medical officer at Alkermes, stated the program aims to support bold scientific questions. "We are proud to support early-career investigators who are working to advance the understanding of complex neurological and psychiatric conditions," Hopkinson said in a release.
Eligibility and Application Process
Applicants must be early-career investigators with an MD, PhD, or equivalent degree. They must be within five years of their initial academic appointment or be current postdoctoral fellows. All applicants must be affiliated with a medical or research institution in the United States.
The application process is conducted in two stages. It begins with a letter of intent. A full application follows for those who are selected.
The key dates for the 2026 cycle are as follows:
| Stage | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|
| Letter of Intent | Sept 11, 2026 | Oct 16, 2026 |
| Full Application | Nov 15, 2026 | Jan 5, 2027 |
Review and Program History
An independent review committee will evaluate all submissions. This committee is composed of specialists from academic research centers. Their expertise spans psychiatry, neurobiology, pharmacology, sleep medicine, and behavioral science.
The Alkermes Pathways Research Awards program was launched in 2018. Since then, it has provided approximately $2.9 million in total funding. This sum has supported 29 researchers across the United States.
The program's structure is designed to foster new scientific inquiry. It provides key funding at a key career stage. For researchers in sleep medicine, this expansion opens a new avenue for exploring narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.
Final award decisions are expected to be announced in the spring of 2027. Successful projects will then commence their research with the provided grant funding.
