Alkermes Expands Research Grants to Include New Sleep Disorders
Event summary
- Alkermes launches its 9th annual Pathways Research Awards program on September 11, 2026, accepting applications through October 16, 2026.
- Grants of up to $100,000 per project will support early-career researchers in neuroscience, expanding focus to include narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.
- Since 2018, the program has provided $2.9 million in funding to 29 researchers across the U.S.
- Independent review committee will evaluate applicants, with full applications due by January 5, 2027.
The big picture
Alkermes' expansion of its research grants to include narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia aligns with its strategic focus on central disorders of hypersomnolence. The program reflects a broader industry trend of biopharmaceutical companies investing in early-stage research to address unmet needs in neuroscience. With a portfolio spanning alcohol dependence, opioid dependence, schizophrenia, and bipolar I disorder, Alkermes is positioning itself as a key player in innovative neuroscience treatments.
What we're watching
- Research Focus
- Whether the expanded focus on sleep disorders will accelerate Alkermes' pipeline development in narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia.
- Grant Impact
- How the $100,000 grants will influence early-career researchers' ability to advance neuroscience understanding.
- Industry Trends
- The pace at which other biopharmaceutical companies follow Alkermes' model of targeted research funding.