Grants History

April 1999: The initial grant of $100,000 was made by Rotary District 7770 to Emory University and Dr. Allan Levey, the leader of its Alzheimer’s research team. Of the eight research centers invited to apply for this initial grant, applications were received from Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania, Johns Hopkins University, Duke University, Emory University, the Medical University of South Carolina, and the Mayo Clinic.

May 2001: The second grant was awarded in the amount of $250,000.

July 2003: CART Treasurer Roger Ackerman announced that The CART Fund exceeded $1 million in receipts.

May 2008: Two grants were selected for the first time, and the total amount awarded was $450,000.

May 2010: The Board awarded three grants for the first time. Additionally, the Research Scientists recommended a pilot grant could spur a great research idea and inspire a young researcher in a promising way. The Pilot Grant was for one year and $50,000 was awarded.

May 2012: The first female researchers were selected as grant recipients, Maya Koronyo-Hamaoui, Ph.D. from Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles ($250,000) and Valerie Daggett Ph.D., from University of Washington, Seattle ($100,000).

May 2019: Awarded $1 million in grants for first time.

May 2020: The top award was named in memory of founder Roger Ackerman.

May 2022: Total research grants awarded exceeded $10 million since CART's inception.

May 2024: Total research grants awarded exceeded $13 million since CART's inception.

You can download a copy of the complete list of grant recipients since 1999 here.