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

August 1, 2025 (Applications open) | December 1, 2025 (Applications due, 5 PM Central)

$225,000 total over 3 years ($75,000/year); no indirect costs allowed.

Supports early-career U.S. neuroscience faculty launching innovative, impactful independent research programs and fostering inclusive lab environments.

Applicants must have started their first Assistant Professor position no earlier than December 1, 2020.

--- ## Description The McKnight Scholar Awards are designed to support young scientists in the United States who are embarking on independent research careers in neuroscience. The program aims to foster innovation by funding promising early-career investigators at not-for-profit research institutions, with a strong emphasis on advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. Awardees are selected through a rigorous review and interview process conducted by an expert committee, with final approval by the Endowment Fund's Board of Directors. The award encourages applicants to present their most creative and impactful research directions and to demonstrate a commitment to building inclusive lab environments. --- ## Due Dates - Applications open: August 1, 2025 - Applications due: December 1, 2025, by 5 PM Central - Reference letters due: December 1, 2025, by 5 PM Central - Finalists notified: March 2026 - Awards announced: May 2026 - Award start date: June 1, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Total award: $225,000 over three years ($75,000 per year) - No indirect costs permitted - Funds may be used for salaries (including PI), fringe benefits, tuition, equipment, supplies, animal costs, and technical services --- ## Eligibility - Must be an independent investigator at a U.S. not-for-profit research institution - Must hold a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) and have served at that rank for less than five years as of December 1, 2025 (i.e., appointment must not have started before December 1, 2020) - Non-tenure track titles (Instructor, Research Assistant Professor, Adjunct Assistant Professor, etc.) are not eligible - If the institution does not use professorial titles, a letter from a senior official is required to confirm independence and control of resources - Only two applications allowed per individual over their career - Cannot apply if already awarded tenure, previously received a McKnight Endowment Fund award, or are applying for both the Scholar Award and Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award in the same cycle - Parental leave may extend the eligibility window (contact program manager for details) - Encourages applications from women, underrepresented minorities, and institutions with little or no prior McKnight funding --- ## Application Process - Applications submitted online through the [McKnight application portal](https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/cd39cfcf-d6a0-4a9a-b044-aea4a230d1b4) - Required materials (single PDF upload): - Completed face sheet ([template here](https://www.mcknight.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-SCHOLAR-Face-Sheet.docx)) - Research proposal (abstract + detailed statement, max 4 pages) - Diversity & Inclusion statement (1 page) - CV (max 5 pages) - List of other research support (NIH-style, no signature needed) - Titles/links to 5 recent publications (may include preprints) - Three confidential letters of reference sent directly by referees to neuro@mcknight.org by the application deadline - No budget required at application stage - Annual scientific and financial reports required from awardees --- ## Additional Information - Applicants from institutions with limited prior McKnight awards may request application review support from a previous awardee (email jkrogstad@mcknight.org by November 10, 2025) - Only one Scholar Award or Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award application per cycle is permitted - No limit on the number of applicants from a single institution per year - Selection committee details are available on the [program leadership page](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/leadership/) --- ## External Links - [Program & How to Apply](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/scholar-awards/how-to-apply/) - [FAQ](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/scholar-awards/faq/) - [Application Portal](https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/cd39cfcf-d6a0-4a9a-b044-aea4a230d1b4) - [Face Sheet Template (DOCX)](https://www.mcknight.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-SCHOLAR-Face-Sheet.docx) - [Instructions for Creating a Portal Account (PDF)](https://www.mcknight.org/wp-content/uploads/Instructions-to-Create-an-Account-in-New-Grantee-Portal-1.pdf) - [Program Leadership](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/leadership/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |-------------------|-------------------------|------------------------------------|----------------| | Joel Krogstad | Program Manager | jkrogstad@mcknight.org | +1 612-333-4220| | General Inquiries | McKnight Foundation | [Contact Form](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) | |

McKnight Scholar Awards

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