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

September 2026 (Letter of Intent)

$750,000 total ($250,000/year for 3 years; max 10% indirect costs)

Supports early-to-mid-career investigators pursuing bold, interdisciplinary research to advance the understanding, prediction, prevention, and treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.

Only one LOI per PI per cycle; applicants may only apply three times total.

--- ## Description The MIND (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) Prize, funded by Pershing Square Philanthropies, is designed to catalyze transformative research in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs) such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. The prize supports early-to-mid-career investigators who propose high-risk, high-reward interdisciplinary projects, including the development of novel tools, techniques, and technologies for brain mapping and analysis, as well as innovative approaches in neurobiology, brain imaging, machine learning, drug delivery, and synthetic biology. Awardees join a collaborative network, benefit from professional development opportunities, and participate in annual retreats and events. --- ## Due Dates - Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline (anticipated/projected): September 2026 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Total award: $750,000 over three years ($250,000/year) - Direct costs: Up to $225,000/year - Indirect costs: Up to $25,000/year (maximum 10% of total annual award) - Prizes awarded annually: Typically 5–7 per cycle The full $750,000 must be requested; smaller budgets are not accepted. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold an MD, PhD, MD-PhD, or equivalent degree. - Must have completed at least 1 but no more than 8 years of independent research experience as a tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty member by the project start date (May 2027 for this cycle). - Must be based at a US academic research institution (501(c)3); independent scientists at non-faculty research institutions (e.g., Janelia, NIH) are eligible if running their own research program. - Only one LOI per PI per cycle; can apply to the MIND Prize a maximum of three times (regardless of outcome). - May not simultaneously apply to other Pershing Square Foundation prize programs in the same year. - Current grantees may not apply to another PSF prize until their third and final award year or after award completion. - No citizenship requirement, but visa status must allow project completion in the US. - Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible. - Applicants from the same institution may apply if all meet the criteria. --- ## Application Process 1. **Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI)** - Submit a one-page LOI (Georgia, 11-point font, single-spaced, 0.5-inch margins) addressing research background, rationale, aims, innovation, and impact on the field. - Required attachments: Budget (using provided template) and biosketch (template provided upon portal registration). - Only one LOI per applicant per cycle. 2. **Stage 2: Finalist Presentation** - Selected finalists are invited to present a brief (max 3-slide) PowerPoint to the Scientific Advisory Board in New York City (remote option available). - No full proposal stage; selection is based on LOI and presentation. **Review:** Applications are evaluated for scientific innovation, relevance to neurodegeneration, and investigator quality. No reviewer feedback is provided. **Reporting:** Annual progress reports are required for continued funding. --- ## Additional Information - Awardees become part of a network with access to annual retreats, networking, and presentation opportunities. - The award agreement is non-negotiable except for factual corrections. - No intellectual property or revenue share is required by the funder. - Carryover of funds and no-cost extensions are permitted with approval. - At least one last-author publication is recommended for competitiveness. --- ## External Links - [MIND Prize Program Page](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize) - [Application Portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/prog/2026_mind_prize/) - [Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/protected/nr/Kb5M7/MIND_Prize_-_2026_Application_Guidelines_RFP.pdf) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize/page/frequently-asked-questions-2) - [Timeline](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize/page/timeline-2) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |-----------------------|------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [info@mindprize.org](mailto:info@mindprize.org) | | Funder Website | [Pershing Square Philanthropies](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org) | | Application Portal | [prizeapplication.smapply.io](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/) |

MIND Prize

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