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

September 2026 (Letter of Intent)

$750,000 total ($250,000/year for 3 years, including up to 10% indirect costs)

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

Forecasted grant—dates are projected; check program page for updates.

--- ## Description The MIND (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) Prize, administered by Pershing Square Philanthropies, is designed to empower early-to-mid-career faculty to pursue high-risk, high-reward research in neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs), including Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia. The program funds projects that are interdisciplinary and transformative, supporting the development of novel tools, technologies, and therapeutic approaches that can revolutionize brain science. Awardees join a collaborative network, benefit from mentorship, and participate in networking and annual retreats to accelerate innovation in neuroscience. --- ## 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 - Total award: $750,000 over three years ($250,000 per year) - Annual budget: Up to $225,000 direct costs + up to $25,000 indirect costs (max 10% indirects per year) - The full $750,000 must be budgeted; smaller requests are not accepted. - Typically, 5–7 prizes are awarded annually. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold an MD, PhD, MD-PhD, or equivalent. - Must have 1–8 years of independent research experience as a tenure-track (or equivalent) faculty member by May 2026. - Must be based at a US academic research institution (501(c)3). - Scientists in independent roles at non-faculty research institutions (e.g., Janelia, NIH) are eligible if they run their own lab/program. - Only one application per PI per cycle; up to three applications total across years. - Cannot apply to more than one Pershing Square Foundation prize program in the same year. - Current grantees may not apply until their third and final year or after their award term concludes. - Non-US citizens/permanent residents must have visa status allowing completion of the project in the US. - Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible. - No institutional nomination required; multiple eligible PIs from the same institution may apply. --- ## Application Process - **Stage 1:** Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), biosketch (template provided), and budget (template provided) via the [application portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/). - LOI: 1 page, Georgia 11pt, single-spaced, 0.5-inch margins; figures included in limit, references may be on additional pages. - **Stage 2:** Selected finalists are invited to present a brief (≤3 slides) presentation to the Scientific Advisory Board in New York City (in-person preferred, remote option available). - No full proposal stage; detailed Q&A at finalist presentation. - Only one LOI per PI per cycle; a PI may be a collaborator on another application. - Templates and detailed instructions are provided upon registration in the portal. - Awardees and finalists are notified per the program timeline; annual reporting is required for continued funding. --- ## Additional Information - Projects should be radically innovative, high-risk/high-reward, and have clear relevance to neurodegenerative or neurocognitive disorders. - Interdisciplinary approaches and applicants from outside core neuroscience are encouraged. - Award includes networking, mentorship, and annual retreat opportunities. - Indirect costs are capped at 10% ($25,000/year). - Applicants may request eligibility exceptions (e.g., for parental leave) on a case-by-case basis. - Reviewers focus on the lead PI’s record and proposal; collaborators are encouraged but not required to submit biosketches or letters of support. - No reviewer feedback is provided. --- ## External Links - [Program Page](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize) - [Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/protected/nr/Kb5M7/MIND_Prize_-_2026_Application_Guidelines_RFP.pdf) - [Application Portal](https://prizeapplication.smapply.io/) - [FAQs](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize/page/frequently-asked-questions-2) - [Scientific Advisory Board](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/initiatives/programs/mind-prize/page/scientific-advisory-board) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |-----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [info@mindprize.org](mailto:info@mindprize.org) | | Funder Information | [Pershing Square Philanthropies Contact](https://pershingsquarephilanthropies.org/contact) | ---

MIND Prize

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