[McKnight Foundation](https://www.mcknight.org)

$100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000); up to 4 awards annually

Supports translational research on mechanisms of brain injury or disease, aiming to advance diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or cure.

Applicants must be independent faculty at US non-profit institutions; funds cannot be used for PI salary.

--- ## Description The McKnight Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award supports innovative, translational research that bridges basic neuroscience and clinical application. The program seeks to advance understanding of the mechanisms underlying brain injury or disease and to translate these findings into improved diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or cures for neurological and psychiatric disorders. Proposals should address a specific clinical problem, outline clear aims, and demonstrate how the applicant’s basic research experience will inform translational progress. The program encourages new approaches, cross-disciplinary collaborations, and research that considers environmental contributions to brain disorders. Applicants are also expected to describe efforts to foster an inclusive and equitable laboratory environment. --- ## Due Dates - **Application opens:** July 30, 2025 - **Application closes (LOI deadline):** November 4, 2025 - **Finalists notified to submit full proposals:** February 15, 2026 - **Full proposals due:** March 15, 2026 - **Applicants notified:** June 15, 2026 - **Funding begins:** August 1, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - **Award size:** $100,000 per year for 3 years (total $300,000) - **Number of awards:** Up to 4 annually - **Allowable costs:** Research activities (not PI salary) - **Duration:** 3 years --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be independent investigators at not-for-profit research institutions in the United States. - Must hold a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor. - Titles such as Research Professor, Adjunct Professor, Professor Research Track, Visiting Professor, or Instructor are **not eligible**. - If professorial titles are not used, a letter from a senior institutional official must confirm the applicant controls their own resources and lab space. - Funds may not be used for the recipient’s salary. - Applicants may not hold another McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience award that overlaps in time with this award. - Women and members of underrepresented communities are encouraged to apply. - There is no institutional limit on the number of applications. - Previous McKnight awardees may apply if they have not previously received this specific award. --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Submit a two-page LOI online, addressing: - The clinical problem being addressed - Specific aims - How basic research experience will be applied to brain disorders - Efforts to foster an inclusive and equitable lab environment - Consideration of environmental contributions to brain disorders (if applicable) - Include a project title, PI email addresses, and NIH-format biosketches for each PI (all as a single PDF). - [Access the LOI form here](https://us.grantrequest.com/application.aspx?sid=5768&fid=35006). 2. **Full Proposal (by invitation):** - Selected finalists will be invited to submit a full proposal and participate in a virtual interview. 3. **Review and Selection:** - A review committee evaluates LOIs and full proposals. - Up to four awards are recommended to the Board of Directors for final approval. 4. **Timeline:** - See "Due Dates" above for key milestones. --- ## Additional Information - The program is particularly interested in projects that: - Provide mechanistic insights at the synaptic, cellular, molecular, genetic, or behavioral level. - Incorporate new approaches or cross-disciplinary collaborations. - Address environmental and social factors contributing to brain disorders. - Competition is intense; applicants may apply more than once. - Institutional diversity is encouraged, but multiple awards to the same institution are possible. --- ## External Links - [McKnight Foundation – Funder Home](https://www.mcknight.org) - [Program Details & How to Apply](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/neurobiology-of-brain-disorders-award/how-to-apply/) - [Current Application Portal](https://us.grantrequest.com/application.aspx?sid=5768&fid=35006) - [2024 Award Announcement](https://www.mcknight.org/news-ideas/applications-open-2024-neurobiology-of-brain-disorders-award/) - [Funding FAQ](https://www.mcknight.org/grants/funding-faq/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Web Contact Form | |-----------------|---------------------------------------|------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Joel Krogstad | [jkrogstad@mcknight.org](mailto:jkrogstad@mcknight.org) | +1 612-333-4220 | [Contact Us](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) |

McKnight Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award

Sign in to see full grant listing