[Pershing Square Philanthropies](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org)

September 2026 (Letter of Intent)

$750,000 total ($250,000/year for 3 years); at least 6 awards annually

Supports bold, high-risk neuroscience research by early-to-mid-career independent investigators at US research institutions.

Eligibility limited to 1–8 years independent faculty experience; only one LOI per PI per year; max three applications lifetime.

--- ## Description This grant supports innovative, high-risk, high-reward neuroscience research projects that have the potential to significantly advance the understanding, prediction, prevention, or treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. The initiative encourages creative, interdisciplinary proposals that may not be funded by traditional sources and aims to catalyze transformative advances in brain science. Research domains can include (but are not limited to) neurobiology, brain imaging and mapping, machine learning, drug delivery, and synthetic biology. Awardees become part of a collaborative network of researchers and benefit from networking, mentorship, and industry engagement opportunities. --- ## Due Dates - September 2026: Letter of Intent deadline (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - $750,000 total per award ($250,000/year for 3 years) - At least 6 awards are given annually - Indirect costs are capped at 10% ($25,000/year); direct costs up to $225,000/year - The full award amount must be requested; smaller budgets are not accepted --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must have an MD, PhD, MD-PhD, or equivalent degree - Must have completed 1–8 years of independent research experience as a tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty member by May 2026 - Must hold a faculty appointment at a US-based 501(c)3 research institution (including non-faculty independent research roles at certain national labs) - Only one LOI may be submitted per PI per year - Maximum of three total applications to the MIND Prize per applicant lifetime (regardless of application stage reached) - Cannot apply to multiple Pershing Square Foundation prize programs in the same year - Current grantees cannot apply to another PSF prize program until their third/final year or after award completion - No citizenship requirement, but visa status must allow completion of project in the US - Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible --- ## Application Process - Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) as a one-page PDF (Georgia, 11pt font, single-spaced, 0.5-inch margins) - Figures must fit within the one-page limit; references can be on additional pages - Use provided biosketch and budget templates (available after registering on the application portal) - Only one LOI per PI per cycle; may be listed as a collaborator on other applications - No full proposal stage; finalists are invited to submit a brief presentation and participate in a Q&A - Applications are peer reviewed for scientific merit, innovation, and potential impact on neurodegenerative disease research --- ## Additional Information - Collaborations are encouraged; subcontracts allowed (indirect costs in subcontracts count toward annual cap) - No salary cap, but minimum 5% PI effort is viewed favorably - Carryover and no-cost extensions are possible with approval - Eligibility exceptions (e.g., for parental leave) considered on a case-by-case basis - Applicants must have at least one last-author publication (in press or revision acceptable) to be competitive --- ## External Links - [Program Overview & Application Details](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize/page/frequently-asked-questions-2) - [2026 Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/protected/nr/Kb5M7/MIND_Prize_-_2026_Application_Guidelines_RFP.pdf) - [Application Portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/prog/2026_mind_prize/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |----------------|-----------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [info@mindprize.org](mailto:info@mindprize.org) | | Funder Website | [Pershing Square Philanthropies](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/contact) |

MIND Prize Initiative

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