BBRF Independent Investigator Grants
This grant funds mid-career scientists to advance innovative research in brain and behavior disorders, bridging the gap to major, long-term research programs.
Funder: Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (application opens) | December 2026 (full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $50,000/year for 2 years (max $100,000 total, including overhead)
Summary: Supports established mid-career scientists to advance research on brain and behavior disorders during the critical phase before sustained funding is secured.
Key Information: All dates are projected; confirm on the funder’s program page.
Description
This program provides support to established scientists at the associate professor level (or equivalent), or assistant professors who are principal investigators on an NIH R01 grant, to generate experimental results that will enable them to launch major research programs in brain and behavior disorders. The grant is intended to bridge the funding gap between initial research and the acquisition of sustained, long-term funding, fostering clinically relevant advances in the understanding and treatment of psychiatric and neurological illnesses. Since 1995, over $77 million has been awarded to innovative projects through this mechanism.
