Initiatives

Generating impact is at the core of our approach.

Our flagship initiatives are devoted to accelerating the pace of discovery in science.

Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s

Aligning Science Across Parkinson’s (ASAP) is fostering collaboration and resources to better understand the underlying causes of Parkinson’s disease. CAS jointly implements the ASAP initiative alongside the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research (MJFF). Dr. Ekemini A.U. Riley has led the global coordinated research effort from its inception and continues to act as the initiative’s managing director.
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ASAP's Impact:

  • 1,200+

    research outputs generated

  • 160+

    investigators leading research in the Collaborative Research Network

  • 150,000+

    volunteers participating in Global Parkinson’s Genetics Program (GP2)

  • 4,000+

    participants in the Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) clinical cohort

Wastewater SCAN

In early 2020, scientists at Stanford University, the University of Michigan, and Emory University developed a model method to detect COVID-19 virus RNA in sewage and provide actionable information on the level of infection in a community. SCAN is partnering with communities in California and the life sciences research company Verily, and is offering communities across the U.S. an opportunity to monitor their own wastewater for COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses using SCAN’s method.
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SCAN's Impact:

  • 11

    infectious diseases tracked across the country

  • 148

    locations across 40 states, serving more than 39 million people

Breakthrough Discoveries for Thriving With Bipolar Disorder

Launched in September 2022 and taking learnings from the development of Aligning Science Across Parkinson's, a core mission of Breakthrough Discoveries for Thriving With Bipolar Disorder (BD²) is to provide unparalleled access to breakthrough insights on bipolar disorder through four unique programs. The BD² Discovery Grants, Brain Omics, Genetics Platforms, and the Integrated Network are designed to share data, methods, and resources across initiatives and the bipolar disorder research community. This initiative is powered by a funder collaborative and CAS manages the involvement of a founding funder.
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BD²'s Impact:

  • 100+

    scientists and clinicians in the BD² network

  • $60

    million committed in grants

Aligning Research to Impact Autism

Aligning Research to Impact Autism (ARIA) is a new initiative that connects emerging research, insights, and promising technologies from across scientific fields. ARIA aims to advance scientific discovery and create more therapeutic opportunities for people with profound autism and people on the spectrum who seek additional support.
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ARIA's Impact:

  • Up to $15

    million in funding through the Innovative Medicine and Precision Approaches to Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Network

Aligning Discoveries Across Psychedelic Therapies

Aligning Discoveries Across Psychedelic Therapies (ADAPT) is bringing structure and collaboration to the emerging field of the study of psychedelics. By establishing robust and independently validated research methods, ADAPT aims to understand when and for whom psychedelics have therapeutic benefits, uncover psychedelics’ mechanisms, and lay the groundwork for responsible, evidence-based therapies.
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ADAPT's Impact:

  • Launching the independent validation and methods development and optimization workstreams

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