[Pershing Square Philanthropies](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org)

September 2026 (Letter of Intent)

$750,000 total ($250,000/year for 3 years, including up to 10% indirect costs)

Supports innovative, high-risk research to advance understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Forecasted cycle—dates are projected; U.S. academic institutions only; only one LOI per PI per cycle.

--- ## Description The MIND (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) Prize, offered by Pershing Square Philanthropies, funds early-to-mid-career investigators pursuing groundbreaking, high-risk research in neurodegenerative disease (NDD) science. The award aims to catalyze bold, interdisciplinary projects that challenge conventional paradigms and accelerate progress in understanding, predicting, preventing, and treating NDDs—including Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. Projects may span novel tools, imaging, machine learning, drug delivery, synthetic biology, and more. Awardees join a network of innovators, benefit from facilitated partnerships, and participate in annual retreats and networking events. --- ## Due Dates - September 2026 (Letter of Intent deadline, anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Total award: $750,000 over three years ($250,000/year) - Indirect costs capped at 10% ($25,000/year); at least $225,000/year must be direct costs - The full award amount must be requested; smaller budgets are not accepted - Typically, 5–7 prizes are awarded annually --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold an MD, PhD, or MD-PhD (or equivalent) - Must have 1–8 years of independent research experience as a tenure-track faculty member (or equivalent) at a U.S. academic or eligible non-profit research institution by the project start date - Only one LOI per PI per cycle; a PI may apply a maximum of three times to the MIND Prize - May not apply to another Pershing Square Foundation prize in the same year - Non-U.S. citizens/permanent residents must have visa status allowing completion of the project in the U.S. - Investigators from any discipline are encouraged if their work relates to NDDs; a core neuroscience background is not required - Postdoctoral fellows and industry (biotech startup) scientists are not eligible - Collaborators are welcome, but only the lead PI must meet all eligibility requirements --- ## Application Process - Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), biosketch (using provided template), and budget via the [application portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/) - LOI: 1 page, Georgia 11-pt font, single-spaced, 0.5-inch margins; figures allowed within the page, references may be appended - No full proposal stage; finalists are invited to present a brief (max 3-slide) presentation to the Scientific Advisory Board (in-person in NYC or remote) - Only one LOI per PI; PI may be a collaborator on other applications - Templates for biosketch and budget are provided upon registering in the portal - No edits allowed after submission, but updates can be made by contacting the program before the deadline --- ## Additional Information - No salary cap, but reasonable budgeting is expected; 5% minimum PI effort is recommended - Carryover and no-cost extensions are allowed with approval - Annual written progress reports required; continued funding contingent on satisfactory progress - No intellectual property or revenue share requirements - Award agreement terms are non-negotiable except for factual errors - Participation in an annual retreat and networking events is expected --- ## External Links - [MIND Prize Program Page](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize/page/application-guidelines-2) - [Application Portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/) - [2026 Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/protected/nr/Kb5M7/MIND_Prize_-_2026_Application_Guidelines_RFP.pdf) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize/page/frequently-asked-questions-2) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|-------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [info@mindprize.org](mailto:info@mindprize.org) | | Funder website | [Pershing Square Philanthropies](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/contact) |

2026 MIND Prize

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