Our impact at a glance
1 in every 3 people will experience a neurological condition in their lifetime.
The Neurological Foundation is New Zealand’s only national charity dedicated to funding life-changing research into brain and nervous system disorders. For over 55 years, we've supported advances in treatment, prevention and care — from Alzheimer's and stroke to rare conditions — transforming lives one discovery at a time.
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Over $90M invested in neurological research
Fuelling breakthroughs in brain and nervous system disorders.
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Advancing knowledge, improving lives
Supporting tomorrow’s neuroscientists across Aotearoa.
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700+ neurological conditions. One need for better understanding.
Advancing awareness and education for all New Zealanders.
What we do
Funding research, advancing education, and improving neurological health across Aotearoa.
At the Neurological Foundation, our mission goes beyond funding research — we’re building a future where better understanding, treatment and support for neurological conditions is available to everyone in Aotearoa. From investing in cutting-edge science to educating communities and supporting the next generation of researchers, everything we do is focused on one goal: improving lives through knowledge.
Behind every breakthrough is a donor like you
Thanks to your generosity, $10,943,000 has been directed toward neurological research in the past year.
Each year, we receive hundreds of funding requests — far more than we can support. But thanks to our generous donors, we’re making a real impact on research that drives change.
While most of our funding goes directly to neurological research, we also support education and awareness. Our Admin and Fundraising teams keep things running smoothly, with their costs offset by investment income — ensuring your donations go where they matter most.
How we divide the budget
Read all about it: the bigger picture
Wanting to learn more about neurological research?
Stay up to date with the latest breakthroughs in neurological research, and upcoming events happening across Aotearoa.
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Dementia, multiple sclerosis, stroke & babies’ brain bleeds among neuro conditions receiving new research funding
New Zealand’s neuroscience community has just received a $3.4 million injection from the Neurological Foundation for research into a broad range of neurological conditions.
Press release
July 20, 2026
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Brain Bee Challenge crowns brainiest teen
Around 140 students took part in the annual neuroscience quiz to claim the mantle of North Island Brain Bee Challenge champion.
June 30, 2026
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Bowling for Brains a brilliant success
Hundreds of people at more than 20 retirement villages across New Zealand took part in Bowling for Brains, a Neurological Foundation fundraising event that was rolled out nationally for the first time in early 2026 following a mini-pilot in 2023.
Community
April 7, 2026
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Two Miller Scholars, two decades apart, two incredible careers – and just one name
Something curious happened when we began work on our 150th issue of Headlines.…
Headlines
March 16, 2026
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Migraine, peri-menopause, traumatic brain injury & Parkinson’s disease: Neurological Foundation funds $3M of innovative Kiwi neuro-research
Pioneering brain researchers at centres across New Zealand are receiving $3 million from the Neurological Foundation, fuelling…
Research
January 13, 2026
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$4 million boost for NZ neurological research
New Zealand’s neuroscience community has received a major injection of funding from the Neurological Foundation, with $4 million in new investment set to accelerate cutting-edge research into Alzheimer’s disease, dementia, cerebral palsy and neuroinflammation.
News
December 1, 2025
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Clot retrieval: A modern marvel for thousands of Kiwis
In the past year alone, hundreds of New Zealanders’ lives have been saved by clot retrieval. One in five went home as healthy as they were before the stroke occurred – and for them, the procedure seemed miraculous.
News
October 2, 2025
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Congratulations to Associate Professor Louise Bicknell
Congratulations to Associate Professor Louise Bicknell who has been awarded a $941,000 Marsden Fund grant for her exciting genetics research. She’ll investigate ORC3, a novel disease gene with a moonlighting role in brain development. Louise credits funding from the Neurological Foundation for helping build her genetics research programme in New Zealand.
January 15, 2024
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