MIND Prize

The Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery Prize is an initiative of The Pershing Square Foundation, a private philanthropic organization dedicated to supporting breakthrough scientific research and innovative solutions to global challenges. Through its brain initiative, the foundation prioritizes advancing knowledge related to neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. The prize is designed to fund research that can significantly improve the ability to predict, prevent, and treat these conditions, which affect millions of individuals worldwide. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and supporting high risk, high reward research, the program aims to accelerate transformative discoveries in neuroscience. The purpose of the MIND Prize is to empower early to mid career investigators to challenge conventional paradigms and pursue bold scientific ideas. The program emphasizes hypothesis driven research that is grounded in strong scientific rationale while encouraging innovation across multiple disciplines. Eligible research areas include neurobiology, brain imaging and mapping, machine learning, drug delivery, and synthetic biology, among others. While the prize allows for the development of tools and technologies, such efforts must support a clearly defined biological hypothesis. Clinical elements may be included, but projects cannot focus primarily on clinical trials or testing medical devices in human subjects. Funding is awarded at a level of two hundred fifty thousand dollars per year for a total of three years, resulting in a total award of seven hundred fifty thousand dollars per recipient. This funding includes both direct and indirect costs, with indirect costs capped at ten percent annually. At least six awards are granted each year. In addition to financial support, awardees gain access to a collaborative network of researchers, mentorship opportunities with industry experts, and participation in networking events and annual retreats. These additional resources are intended to enhance the impact and scalability of funded research. Eligibility is limited to investigators with a doctoral degree such as MD, PhD, or equivalent who have between one and eight years of independent research experience as tenure track faculty or equivalent by the program start date. Applicants must be affiliated with nonprofit research institutions in the United States and must lead independent research programs. Postdoctoral fellows and individuals working in for profit companies are not eligible to apply. Scientists working in independent roles at nonprofit research institutions may qualify if they meet all criteria. Applicants are limited to a maximum of three submissions across different years. The application process consists of a single stage centered on a Letter of Intent, accompanied by a biosketch and budget. The Letter of Intent must be concise and include sections detailing the scientific background, rationale, and proposed research project, including aims, methodology, and anticipated impact. Applications are submitted through an online portal. Selected finalists are invited to present their proposals to the Scientific Advisory Board in New York City, with a remote option available if necessary. Evaluation criteria include the scientific merit of the proposal, its level of innovation, alignment with neurodegenerative research goals, and the qualifications of the applicant. The timeline for the program begins with the application portal opening on August 17, 2026, followed by a Letter of Intent submission deadline of September 21, 2026. Applicants are notified of their status by December 17, 2026, and finalists present their work in January 2027. Final award decisions are made in early February 2027, with funded projects commencing on May 1, 2027. The program is offered annually, reflecting its ongoing commitment to supporting emerging leaders in neuroscience research. For additional inquiries, applicants may contact the program via the official email address provided by the foundation.

Focus on bold hypothesis driven high risk high reward research aligned with neurodegeneration ensure clear biological rationale and transformative potential