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

September 2026: Letter of Intent deadline (projected)

$750,000 total over 3 years ($250,000/year; max 10% indirect costs)

Supports innovative, high-risk neuroscience research on neurodegenerative diseases, empowering early-to-mid-career investigators to pursue bold, interdisciplinary projects.

Only one LOI per PI per cycle; max three applications per PI lifetime.

--- ## Description The MIND (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) Prize, offered by Pershing Square Philanthropies, funds transformative research aimed at revolutionizing the prediction, prevention, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. The award targets early-to-mid-career investigators, encouraging them to challenge conventional paradigms and catalyze interdisciplinary approaches. Supported projects may include novel tools, technologies, and therapeutic strategies for brain mapping and analysis, as well as bold, high-risk research that traditional funders may consider too speculative. Recipients join a unique network of researchers, with access to industry mentorship, collaborative events, and an annual retreat. --- ## 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) - Maximum 10% of each annual payment ($25,000/year) may be allocated to indirect costs; the remainder must be direct costs - Award is fixed at $750,000; budgets for smaller amounts are not accepted - Typically, 5–7 prizes are awarded annually --- ## Eligibility - Early-to-mid-career investigators with an MD, PhD, or MD-PhD (or equivalent) - Must have 1–8 years of independent research experience as a tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty member by May 2026 - Must hold a faculty appointment at a U.S. academic research institution or be in an independent research role at a U.S.-based non-faculty research institution (e.g., NIH, Janelia) with their own lab - Applicants may submit only one LOI per cycle and may apply to the MIND Prize a maximum of three times in their career - Cannot apply to another Pershing Square Prize (e.g., Sohn Cancer Prize) in the same year - Current grantees from any Pershing Square Philanthropies program may only apply if in their final year or after their term concludes - Applicants do not need a neuroscience background but must have access to an environment capable of high-quality brain/cognition research - Non-U.S. citizens/permanent residents must have visa status to complete the project in the U.S. - No nominations required; multiple PIs per institution may apply --- ## Application Process - Stage 1: Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), biosketch (PSF template), and budget (PSF template) via the [application portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/) - LOI: 1 page, Georgia 11pt font, single-spaced, 0.5" margins; figures allowed within page, references may be appended - Biosketch and budget templates available after registering in the portal - Only one LOI per PI; select the most innovative, high-risk project - Stage 2: Finalists will be invited to give a short presentation (max 3 slides) to the Scientific Advisory Board in New York City (in-person preferred, remote option available) - No full proposal stage; selection is based on LOI and presentation - Annual progress reports required for continued funding - Award agreement must be signed with no edits permitted except for factual errors --- ## Additional Information - Collaborators are encouraged, but only the lead PI must meet eligibility; subcontracts are allowed (indirect costs in subcontracts count toward the $25,000/year limit) - No salary cap, but minimum 5% effort for PI is viewed favorably - No-cost extensions and budget carryover may be approved as needed - Applicants may include preprints in biosketch; at least one last-author publication is recommended for competitiveness - No reviewer critiques are provided to applicants --- ## External Links - [MIND Prize Main Page](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize) - [Application Guidelines](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize/page/application-guidelines-2) - [Full Guidelines PDF](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/protected/nr/Kb5M7/MIND_Prize_-_2026_Application_Guidelines_RFP.pdf) - [Application Portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/) - [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 form | [Contact Page](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/contact) |

2026 MIND Prize

Sign in to see full grant listing