[Brain Research Foundation](https://www.thebrf.org)

August 28, 2025 (Letter of Intent opens)

$80,000 total over 2 years per award

Supports innovative, early-stage neuroscience research projects across all areas of brain science to foster future scientific breakthroughs.

Institutional invitation required; only one nominee per invited institution.

--- ## Description The Brain Research Foundation’s Seed Grant Program provides start-up funding to support innovative, early-stage neuroscience research. The program is designed to advance understanding of brain function and foster new scientific ideas that may lead to further research opportunities and breakthroughs. Projects may address any area of brain science, including cognitive function, neurodegenerative diseases, brain development, and brain-related disorders. The foundation aims to encourage collaboration and enable promising investigators to generate the preliminary data needed for larger-scale funding. --- ## Due Dates - Letter of Intent portal opens: August 28, 2025 *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Each award provides a total of **$80,000** over a two-year period. - Funds are intended as start-up support for early-stage projects and are not renewable. --- ## Eligibility - **Institutional Eligibility:** Only institutions that have received a direct invitation from the Brain Research Foundation are eligible to nominate a candidate. - **Nomination:** Each invited institution may nominate only **one** faculty member to submit a Letter of Intent. - **Principal Investigator Requirements:** - Must be a full-time assistant or associate professor. - Must be working in the field of neuroscience. - **Project Scope:** The program funds research in all areas of neuroscience, including but not limited to cognitive function, neurodegenerative diseases, learning and development, and brain-related disorders. For detailed eligibility criteria, consult the [Institutional Eligibility Requirements (PDF)](https://www.thebrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Institutional-Eligibility2022.pdf). --- ## Application Process 1. **Institutional Nomination:** Confirm your institution has received an invitation from BRF. 2. **Letter of Intent:** The nominated investigator submits a Letter of Intent (LOI) when the portal opens. 3. **Guidelines:** Review the full [2026 Seed Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.thebrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2026-SG-Guidelines.pdf) for application instructions, required materials, and review criteria. 4. **Submission Portal:** Applications and LOIs are submitted via the [BRF application portal](https://research.thebrf.org/). 5. **Selection:** Selected applicants may be invited to submit a full proposal following LOI review. --- ## Additional Information - The Seed Grant Program is highly competitive and intended to support projects that are novel and have the potential to generate preliminary data for future external funding. - The program funds research across all areas of basic and clinical neuroscience. - Past funded projects can be viewed in the [Seed Grants Archive](https://www.thebrf.org/seed-grants/). --- ## External Links - [Seed Grant Program Overview](https://www.thebrf.org/seed-grants/) - [2026 Seed Grant Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.thebrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2026-SG-Guidelines.pdf) - [Institutional Eligibility Requirements (PDF)](https://www.thebrf.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Institutional-Eligibility2022.pdf) - [Application Portal](https://research.thebrf.org/) - [Past Funded Projects Archive](https://www.thebrf.org/seed-grants/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Information | |---------------------------|------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | info@theBRF.org | | Phone | 312.759.5150 | | Contact Form | [Contact BRF](https://www.thebrf.org/contact-us/) |

Seed Grants - Brain Research Foundation

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