NCAA Funding for CARE Consortium Will End Soon
The research project faces a funding expiration on October 31, 2026, as federal priorities shift.
Updated on Oct. 12, 2026 in Alzheimer’s
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Should the NCAA continue to provide funding for long-term concussion research for college athletes?
The NCAA and the U.S. Department of Defense face the expiration of the CARE Consortium grant on October 31, 2026. This partnership has directed concussion research since 2014.
Why it matters
The expiration comes as the U.S. Department of Defense shifts its research priorities toward military-specific projects. Additionally, Congress recently reduced funding for basic scientific research, complicating the search for a new five-year grant.
The 2021 project grant totaled $42.65 million, which included $25 million from the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command, $7.65 million from the Defense Health Agency, and $10 million from the NCAA. This represents a period of significant funding for the multi-institutional effort.
The players
NCAA
This is a non-profit organization that regulates student athletics among various colleges and universities in the United States.
U.S. Department of Defense
This federal executive department is responsible for coordinating and supervising all agencies and functions of the government related directly to national security.
CARE Consortium
This is a collaborative research initiative that investigates the effects of concussions through partnerships between academic institutions and federal agencies.
The details
The CARE Consortium currently coordinates efforts through the University of Michigan, Indiana University, the Medical College of Wisconsin, and the Uniformed Services University. A study published in Neurology in March 2026 recently reinforced the importance of such work by linking multiple concussions to worse long-term health outcomes.
Timeline
The CARE Consortium was launched in 2014.
The project secured a $42.65 million grant in 2021.
Congress reduced basic scientific research funding by 4.9% at the beginning of 2026.
Neurology published a study regarding concussion health outcomes in March 2026.
Existing grant funding for the project expires on October 31, 2026.
The Big Picture
This funding cliff marks a direct consequence of the 4.9% reduction in federal basic scientific research budgets enacted at the start of 2026. The shift signals a broader move by the Department of Defense to prioritize military-specific applications over general sports medicine research.
The potential loss of funding could delay future clinical insights into how multiple concussions affect long-term brain health. This directly impacts the development of evidence-based safety protocols that athletes and patients rely on for medical recovery and risk assessment.
The takeaway
Ongoing research into head injuries remains vital as studies continue to link multiple concussions to worse long-term outcomes. Stakeholders and observers should monitor whether the consortium successfully secures new federal or private funding to maintain its data collection.
What happens next
The CARE Consortium grant officially expires on October 31, 2026, marking the deadline for the current research phase.
Further reading
For more on long-term brain health research, visit the Alzheimer’s section.
Live Poll
Should the NCAA continue to provide funding for long-term concussion research for college athletes?
