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

August 1, 2025 (Application portal opens) | December 1, 2025, 5 PM Central (Full application due)

Up to $225,000 total over three years ($75,000/year); up to 10 awards annually.

Supports early-career neuroscience faculty pursuing innovative research and fostering diversity and inclusion in neuroscience.

Applicants may not apply for both this and the Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award in the same cycle.

--- ## Description The McKnight Scholar Award is designed to support exceptional early-career neuroscientists as they launch independent research careers. The award encourages innovative, impactful neuroscience research and a strong commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion within the scientific community. Scholars join a vibrant network of leading neuroscientists and participate in the McKnight Conference on Neuroscience, fostering collaboration and long-term impact. Applicants must demonstrate excellence in research, mentorship, and the creation of inclusive lab environments. --- ## Due Dates - Application portal opens: August 1, 2025 - Full application deadline: December 1, 2025, 5 PM Central - Reference letters due: December 1, 2025, 5 PM Central - Finalists notified: March 2026 - Awards announced: May 2026 - Funding begins: June 1, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - Up to ten awards are given annually. - Each award provides $225,000 in total, distributed as $75,000 per year for three years. - Funds may be used for salaries, fringe benefits, tuition, equipment, supplies, animal costs, and technical services. - Indirect costs are not allowed. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be independent investigators at not-for-profit U.S. research institutions. - Must hold a faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) and have served in that role for less than five years as of December 1, 2025 (must not have started before December 1, 2020). - Exceptions to the five-year limit are only allowed for parental leave, with documentation. - Applicants must not have been granted tenure or hold another award from the McKnight Endowment Fund. - May not apply for both this and the Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award in the same funding cycle. - Only two attempts at applying are allowed. - Non-tenure-track positions (Instructor, Research Assistant Professor, Adjunct) are not eligible. - Commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is required. - Applications are encouraged from women, underrepresented groups, and faculty at institutions that have never received a McKnight award. --- ## Application Process 1. **Prepare Materials** (to be uploaded as a single PDF): - Completed [face sheet](https://www.mcknight.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-SCHOLAR-Face-Sheet.docx) - Research proposal (abstract ≤200 words + up to 4 pages narrative) - One-page diversity & inclusion statement (specific actions and experiences) - CV (≤5 pages; must include education, positions, honors, mentoring, full bibliography) - List of other support (startup and external funding) - Links/titles for 5 recent publications (including preprints) 2. **References**: - Three confidential letters from former mentors, teachers, or senior colleagues (sent directly to neuro@mcknight.org by the deadline) 3. **Submission**: - Applications must be submitted through the [online portal](https://bbgm-apply.yourcausegrants.com/apply/programs/cd39cfcf-d6a0-4a9a-b044-aea4a230d1b4) (opens August 1, 2025) - New users must create an account; see [account creation instructions](https://www.mcknight.org/wp-content/uploads/Instructions-to-Create-an-Account-in-New-Grantee-Portal-1.pdf) 4. **Application Support**: - Institutions with one or fewer previous McKnight awards may request application review support from a former awardee (contact jkrogstad@mcknight.org by November 10, 2025). 5. **Selection**: - ~20 finalists are invited for remote interviews in March 2026. - Final decisions are made by the Board of Directors. --- ## Additional Information - The program is highly competitive, with 50–150 applications typically received and up to 10 awards made each year. - Scholars benefit from long-term engagement with a national network of neuroscientists and attendance at the McKnight Conference on Neuroscience. - Intellectual property remains with the awardee’s institution. - Applicants from interdisciplinary backgrounds are welcome if their research is fundamentally neuroscience-focused. --- ## External Links - [Program Overview & Awardees](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/scholar-awards/) - [How to Apply](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/scholar-awards/how-to-apply/) - [Frequently Asked Questions](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 (Word)](https://www.mcknight.org/wp-content/uploads/2026-SCHOLAR-Face-Sheet.docx) - [Account Creation Instructions (PDF)](https://www.mcknight.org/wp-content/uploads/Instructions-to-Create-an-Account-in-New-Grantee-Portal-1.pdf) - [McKnight Conference on Neuroscience](https://www.mcknight.org/programs/the-mcknight-endowment-fund-for-neuroscience/conference/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | Web Contact Form | |--------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------|-----------------|------------------------------------------------------| | Joel Krogstad | Program Manager, McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience | jkrogstad@mcknight.org | +1 612-333-4220 | [Contact Us](https://www.mcknight.org/about/contact-us/) | | General Inquiries | | neuro@mcknight.org | | |

McKnight Scholar Award

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