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

September 2026 (Letter of Intent)

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

Supports early-to-mid-career investigators pursuing innovative, high-risk research on neurodegenerative diseases through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Forecasted grant—dates and details subject to change; check program page for updates.

--- ## Description The MIND (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) Prize, offered by Pershing Square Philanthropies, funds transformative research aimed at advancing our understanding and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. The program is designed to empower early-to-mid-career investigators who propose bold, high-risk, and interdisciplinary projects that challenge existing paradigms in NDD research. Projects may involve novel tools, technologies, or methods for brain mapping, analysis, or therapeutic intervention. Awardees join a collaborative network with access to industry mentors, networking events, and opportunities to present at scientific meetings. --- ## Due Dates - Letter of Intent deadline (anticipated): September 2026 *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 per year) - Includes up to $25,000/year (10%) in indirect costs; direct costs should not exceed $225,000/year - Generally, 5–7 prizes are awarded annually --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold an MD, PhD, MD-PhD, or equivalent degree. - Must have completed at least 1 but no more than 8 years of independent research experience as a tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty member (or independent research role) at a US academic or nonprofit research institution by the project start date (typically May following the award). - Must be based at a 501(c)(3) research institution in the United States. - Only one Letter of Intent (LOI) may be submitted per PI per cycle; a PI may be listed as a collaborator on other applications. - Applicants may only apply to the MIND Prize a total of three times, regardless of outcome. - Applicants may apply to only one Pershing Square Foundation prize program per cycle. - Current grantees may not apply to another PSF prize program until the third/final year of their award or after their current award term concludes. - No citizenship requirement, but non-US citizens must ensure visa eligibility for the duration of the project. - Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible; applicants must be independent investigators. - Investigators from non-faculty research institutions (e.g., Janelia, NIH) are eligible if they run their own research program. - No institutional nomination required; multiple eligible PIs from the same institution may apply. --- ## Application Process - **Stage 1:** Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), biosketch, and budget via the [application portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/). - LOI: One page, Georgia 11-point font, single-spaced, 0.5-inch margins. Figures must fit within the page limit; references may be on a separate page. - Biosketch and budget templates are provided via the portal. - Only one LOI per PI; select your most innovative project. - **Stage 2:** Finalists are invited to present their proposal (up to three PowerPoint slides) to the Scientific Review Board (in New York City or remotely). - No full proposal stage; selection is based on LOI and finalist presentation. - Applications are peer-reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Board; final selection is subject to funder approval. - Awardees must sign a standard award agreement (no edits except to correct factual errors). --- ## Additional Information - The program encourages high-risk, high-reward, interdisciplinary research that may not be funded by traditional sources. - Projects must be relevant to neurodegeneration, with emphasis on Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementias. - Collaboration is encouraged; subcontracts are allowed (indirect costs across all institutions must not exceed $25,000/year). - No salary cap, but reasonable budgeting and a minimum 5% PI effort are recommended. - Carryover and no-cost extensions are permitted with approval. - Annual progress reports are required for continued funding. - Awardees join a network of researchers and participate in annual retreats and networking events. --- ## External Links - [MIND Prize Program Page](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize) - [Application Portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/) - [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) - [Scientific Advisory Board](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize/page/scientific-advisory-board) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [info@mindprize.org](mailto:info@mindprize.org) | | Funder Main Contact | [info@persq.org](mailto:info@persq.org) | | Funder Website | [Pershing Square Philanthropies](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org) |

MIND Prize - Pershing Square Philanthropies

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