2026 Tauopathy Challenge Workshop

Established in 2023 by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation, the Tauopathy Challenge Workshop is a funding program that convenes interdisciplinary experts around a single topic to address unmet needs in the primary tauopathies.

Tauopathies, a class of neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the abnormal accumulation of pathologic forms of the tau protein, represent a significant health challenge. While the pathological role of tau protein aggregates in neurodegeneration is well-established, the precise molecular mechanisms driving their formation and neurotoxicity remain elusive.

You can learn more about our 2024 winners and the 2025 workshop here.

2026 Topic

Each year a new topic is selected as the focus for the workshop. The 2026 Tauopathy Challenge Workshop will focus on employing advanced biophysical and bioanalytical approaches to probe the structural and thermodynamic properties of tau protein, its modifications, and interactions with other pathologies.

By gaining a deeper understanding of these molecular characteristics with the most current technology, the workshop aims to identify potential therapeutic approaches and biomarker targets for development. Below is a non-exhaustive list of research topics. Note: broad screening approaches-alone without mechanism connection are not encouraged to apply.

• The molecular architecture and dynamics of misfolded tau with and without copathologies;
• The impact of protein-membrane interactions on tauopathies;
• Validating computational approaches that model protein aggregation;
• Novel approaches for studying post-translational modifications of tau;
• Determining which physiologically relevant cofactors and modifications drive tau pathology;
• How do changes in tau pathology inform the status of disease progression.

Applications are Now Open

To submit an LOI to the 2026 Tauopathy Challenge Workshop:

NOTE: Please only click the hyperlinks provided in this section when applying. The “Grantee Portal” link at the top of our website should not be used for the Tauopathy Challenge Workshop.

1. Once logged in, click Apply at the top left of the screen next to the Home icon.
2. Enter access code “WORKSHOP26” in the box at top of the page and click Enter Code. (Password is case sensitive and includes space.)
3. Click the Apply button at the top right of the LOI description.
4. Answer questions in application.
5. Click Save if you’d like to return to the LOI later.
6. Click Submit when you have completed the form. Once you’ve submitted the LOI, you’ll receive an automated email confirmation.

Who Can Apply

Our aim is to convene leaders across multiple disciplines including structural biology, metabolomics, proteomics, biochemistry, spectroscopy and biophysics to posit new insights on tau pathology. To be eligible for consideration, applicants must:

• Hold a faculty appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor or above, or be an industry leader.
• Have an independent laboratory space and be able to hold independent funding as confirmed by their institution.
• Work at an academic, medical, research institution or company anywhere in the world.

Special consideration will be given to junior scientists (Assistant professor-level).

Process

The RCF uses a letter of interest (LOI) process to solicit novel proposals from the research community. Through the LOI process, up to 12 participants are selected to move forward and invited to attend the 2-day in person workshop and then to apply for research grants providing up to $500,000 in direct costs over two years; up to four awards will be funded, pending budget availability.

Important Dates