Simons was selected as one of five researchers worldwide for this funding program. The Tauopathy Challenge Workshop was launched by the Rainwater Charitable Foundation (RCF), one of the largest independent institutions promoting research activities in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. The RCF funds the program together with various partner organizations such as the US Alzheimer's Association.

The $500,000 grant will be provided to Mikael Simons and his co-applicant, postdoctoral researcher Dr. Stefan Berghoff, over a period of two years and will fund personnel costs and consumables.