[Lundbeck Foundation](https://lundbeckfonden.com/en)

September 1, 2025 | September 1, 2026

DKK 10 million (approx. €1.3 million) awarded annually to 1–3 neuroscientists; personal research prize.

Prestigious annual international award recognizing outstanding contributions to neuroscience research across all areas of brain and nervous system science.

--- ## Description The Brain Prize is the world’s largest neuroscience research prize, awarded annually by the Lundbeck Foundation to one or up to three scientists for outstanding and influential contributions to brain research. The prize recognizes research across all areas of neuroscience, from basic to clinical, and is open to candidates of any nationality, working anywhere in the world. The award aims to honor exceptional work that has significantly advanced our understanding of the brain or nervous system in health or disease, and to foster interaction between international and Danish neuroscience communities. --- ## Due Dates - September 1, 2025: Nomination deadline for The Brain Prize (call opens May 1, 2025) - September 1, 2026: Nomination deadline for The Brain Prize (call opens May 1, 2026; annual recurring deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - The prize is DKK 10 million (approximately €1.3 million), awarded annually. - The prize may be shared among up to three recipients. - It is a personal research prize, not a grant for a specific project. --- ## Eligibility - Open to scientists of any nationality and working in any country. - Nominees must be active researchers, which means meeting at least two of the following: - Be a paid employee of a university or research institute. - Run an active research lab. - Have current grant funding. - Have published primary research articles within two years of the January selection meeting. - Both individual and group nominations (up to three scientists) are accepted if all have made significant contributions. - Self-nominations are not accepted. - Anyone may submit a nomination, except for members of the Selection Committee, Lundbeck Foundation employees, or Board members. - The prize cannot be awarded to members of the Selection Committee, Board, or Foundation employees. --- ## Application Process - Nominations must be submitted online via the [Lundbeck Foundation website](https://lundbeckfonden.com/apply-grants/the-brain-prize) during the open call period (May 1–September 1 each year). - The nomination should include: - Nominee’s name, age, gender, and field of research. - Short biography of the nominee. - Justification for the nomination, citing key publications. - Brief information about the nominator and their relationship to the nominee. - Only nominated candidates are considered; nominations remain valid for three years, and re-nominations are encouraged if eligibility is maintained. - The selection process involves initial scoring, shortlisting, external expert reviews, and final selection by an independent committee of leading neuroscientists. --- ## Additional Information - Prize winners are expected to engage with Danish and international neuroscience communities through lectures, seminars, and outreach activities. - The award ceremony takes place in Copenhagen, Denmark, typically in the summer following the announcement. - The Selection Committee is committed to diversity and impartiality in its selection process. --- ## External Links - [Lundbeck Foundation – The Brain Prize program page](https://lundbeckfonden.com/apply-grants/the-brain-prize) - [The Brain Prize official website](https://brainprize.org/) - [Nomination and selection process details](https://brainprize.org/nomination-selection-process) - [Selection Committee information](https://brainprize.org/nomination-selection-process/the-brain-prize-selection-committee) - [Full Terms of Reference for Selection Committee (PDF)](https://lundbeckfonden.com/files/media/document/The%20Brain%20Pprize%20-%20Terms%20of%20reference%20for%20the%20Selection%20Committee%202024.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Role | Email | Phone | |----------------|---------------------------------------|------------------------------|-----------------| | Martin Meyer | Scientific Programme Director, The Brain Prize | [mm@lundbeckfonden.com](mailto:mm@lundbeckfonden.com) | +45 39 12 80 11 | - [Contact page for Lundbeck Foundation](https://lundbeckfonden.com/en/contact-the-lundbeck-foundation)

The Brain Prize

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