CHARLESTON, W.Va. - U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), Chairman of the Senate Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee, announced that an $11.934 million Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) grant has officially been awarded to West Virginia University (WVU) Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute in Morgantown, W.Va.

This award, which was secured through a CDS request made by Senator Capito in Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26), would help establish a Center for Neuromodulation and Brain Therapeutics, building on the RNI's first-in-the-field clinical and research successes, to make West Virginia the national leader in neuromodulation. The funding will also support expansion of the RNI's Innovation Center (IC) facility to improve patient management, flow, and care by co-locating facilities to perform therapeutic infusions, conduct labs, storage and maintenance of medications and supplies for procedures, procedure rooms, and space to monitor post procedure patients.

"As the daughter of parents who suffered from Alzheimer's, I know the impact it has on families," Senator Capito said. "Helping to secure funds for the RNI is one way to expand the capabilities and innovations of treatment for those with Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, Alzheimer's disease, drug and alcohol addictions, stroke, brain tumors, and other neurological conditions. I'm proud to have helped secure the funding to make this possible, and I look forward to seeing the positive impact this investment will have on West Virginians for years to come."

"This award will create one of the world's leading centers for neuromodulation and advanced brain therapeutics in West Virginia. By expanding our capabilities in neuromodulation technologies such as focused ultrasound and light therapy, we will accelerate the development of new treatments for Alzheimer's disease and dementias, Parkinson's disease, and addictions," Ali Rezai, M.D., Executive Chair of the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute, said. "We are deeply grateful to Senator Capito for her continued support of the RNI and her commitment to accelerating innovations and improving the health of West Virginians and patients everywhere."

"Senator Capito is a long-time friend and supporter of WVU Medicine and has championed the work our teams are doing to bring world-class care to the people of West Virginia and all those we serve. Movement disorders, memory disorders, and addiction affect people of all ages and all walks of life. With West Virginia's aging population and battle with addiction, this funding will go a long way to helping improve the lives of Mountaineers everywhere," Albert L. Wright, Jr., President and CEO of the WVU Health System, said. "We're grateful for Senator Capito's work to secure this funding, and we promise to put these funds to good use for West Virginians in all parts of the state."

BACKGROUND:

As Chairman of the Senate Appropriations Labor-HHS Subcommittee, Senator Capito has been a long-time supporter of efforts to advance medical innovation and improve health outcomes for West Virginians, including through RNI, which is a national leader in the study and treatment of neurological and psychiatric conditions, combining cutting-edge research with patient-centered care.

Senator Capito has worked alongside federal, state, and local partners to help strengthen resources for groundbreaking initiatives at RNI, with a focus on addressing critical challenges such as addiction, Alzheimer's disease, and other complex brain disorders. Senator Capito recently visited RNI with the Director of the NIH and NIA. In February of 2026, Senator Capito secured the $11.934 million CDS allocation to support construction of the Center for Neuromodulation and Brain Therapeutics. Additionally, Senator Capito reintroduced bipartisan legislation in March of 2026 that bolsters training for primary care providers so they can better diagnose Alzheimer's and other dementia and deliver high-quality, person-centered care in community-based settings.

Senator Capito's efforts reflect a broad commitment to fostering collaboration, supporting scientific discovery, and ensuring that West Virginia remains at the forefront of transformative health care solutions.

Individual allocations details listed below:

• $11,934,000 CDS award to WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute (Morgantown, W.Va.) to support construction, as well as the acquisition of medical equipment, to establish the WVU Rockefeller Neuroscience Institute Center for Neuromodulation and Brain Therapeutics.

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