On November 5, 2004, through a gift from the McKnight Brain Research Foundation, the University of Alabama Board of Trustees approved the establishment of the Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute at UAB. The Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institute has the long term goal of translating discoveries from basic biomedical research into processes and products to minimize the deleterious effects of aging on learning and memory in humans.

The long term goal is being achieved by: enhancement of established UAB research through support of new research endeavors; educational symposia and seminars; attendance at conferences and collaborations with investigators at other Evelyn F. McKnight Brain Institutes - University of Florida, University of Arizona, and University of Miami; development of trainees (undergraduate to junior faculty); and recruitment of new faculty members.