WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (Xinhua) -- The NFL announced Friday it is granting a total of 16.3 million US dollars to three research projects focusing on neurodegenerative diseases.

The league is donating 7.65 million US dollars to the US Department of Defense's Concussion Assessment Research and Education Consortium Grand Alliance and another 7.65 million US dollars to the Transforming Research and Clinical Knowledge in Traumatic Brain Injury initiative. The remaining 2.25 million US dollars will go to the National Institute of Aging.

"These research initiatives represent important scientific projects, with proven track records of achievement that affect public health," the league said in a statement on Friday. "Each of these research programs receives substantial federal funding. Through this commitment, the League hopes to advance the understanding of concussion and other brain injuries, especially among athletes and veterans."