McKnight Scholar Awards
The McKnight Scholar Awards fund early-career neuroscience faculty to pursue innovative, impactful research and foster inclusive, diverse lab environments.
Funder: McKnight Foundation
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Full application & reference letters, projected)
Funding Amounts: $75,000 per year for 3 years ($225,000 total); no indirect costs allowed
Summary: Supports early-career neuroscience faculty at U.S. non-profits to pursue innovative research and foster diversity, mentorship, and inclusion.
Key Information: Applicants must be Assistant Professors (or equivalent) who started on or after December 1, 2020; only two lifetime applications permitted.
Description
The McKnight Scholar Awards are designed to support promising early-career scientists in the field of neuroscience as they establish their independent research careers. The program encourages innovative and impactful research directions and places a strong emphasis on mentorship, diversity, equity, and inclusion within the scientific community. Awardees receive flexible funding to advance their most promising ideas and to create inclusive laboratory environments. The selection process includes a competitive review and finalist interviews.
