Overview
The Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI), the Alzheimer’s Association, and Alzheimer’s Society (UK) aim to support emerging leaders in brain health, aging, and dementia by funding small-scale pilot projects, activities, and/or studies to advance skills, knowledge, activities, and general efforts to delay, prevent and/or mitigate the impact of dementia. The goal of these awards is to both support leadership development of the awardee and to advance pilot projects that improve outcomes in brain health. The program prioritizes activities that demonstrate the potential to evolve into larger regional projects, especially those that use an evidence-based approach to identify, direct change and/or improve care for those with dementia.
Featured Collaborators
Dementia is a pressing global health issue. These pilot projects are important as a first step to advance scientific knowledge in the effort to delay or prevent Alzheimer’s and other dementia, as well as to improve care and quality of life for persons living with the disease.
Impact
Since the program was established in 2017, 211 pilots across 53 countries and administrative regions have been awarded a total of $5.3 million.
Funded pilot projects range from advocacy to systems change to applied research and are addressing challenges with access to care, stigma, social determinants of brain health, education, and more.
Pilot awardees have secured a total of $141.1 million in funding, with $18 million in leveraged funding directly expanding and supporting their pilots. Indicators of impact and success also include 213 publications in leading journals, presentations at 205 distinct conferences, with 35 pilots receiving media coverage from 133 media outlets.
Changing social stigma around dementia through social entrepreneurship
In Brazil, people living with dementia often face stigma that leads to isolation and loss of identity. Carlos Chechetti is working to shift this narrative through Reliving Memories, an initiative that uses personal passions to foster connection and engagement. He is developing a short documentary to capture these stories and offer families and caregivers a model for more personalized, positive experiences.
“This film aims to show how the passions of people living with dementia can empower them, foster understanding, and challenge social stigma.” – Carlos Chechetti, Storyteller, Filmmaker & Entrepreneur, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health
Addressing health barriers in hypertension
In Nepal, hypertension is a major risk factor for dementia, yet it remains poorly managed among older adults. Prabha Shrestha is exploring how individuals seek care and manage their condition, drawing on data from the Dhulikhel Healthy City Initiative to better understand patterns of treatment and control.
The study highlights key barriers, including limited family support, challenges in accessing care, and gaps within the health system. These insights will help inform efforts to improve blood pressure management, strengthen community support, and guide the development of services such as a geriatric clinic at Dhulikhel Hospital.
Assessing dementia knowledge, attitudes and practices among primary healthcare providers
In Southeast Nigeria, many primary healthcare providers are the first point of care for older adults, yet knowledge and screening for dementia remain limited. Through the SEED Project, Laz Eze is assessing providers’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices to better understand gaps and inform more effective care. The findings will help guide training, awareness efforts, and future research to strengthen dementia care and reduce stigma.
“This research will provide valuable insights into dementia-related practices and skills, helping to advance brain health and dementia prevention in Nigeria.” – Laz Eze, Public Health Policy and Management Specialist, Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health
