BRF’s annual Scientific Innovations Award supports creative, cutting edge research in well-established research laboratories, under the direction of distinguished investigators.
The 2026 Scientific Innovations Award (SIA) opens on April 1, 2025.
If your institution did not receive an invitation directly from BRF via e-mail, then you are not eligible to apply
Funding and Award Period:
Each total award is limited to $150,000 (direct costs) for a two year grant period. Exact dates will be provided by the BRF upon application approval. The first grant payment of $75,000 will be made upon completion of the SIA Acceptance Form. The final payment of $75,000 will be made contingent upon receipt of a Preliminary Progress and Financial Report. Funds must be utilized within the grant period.
The nominated candidate must be a full-time associate professor or full professor at a US academic institution that was invited directly by BRF via email, working in the area of studies of brain function in health and disease. Current major NIH or other peer-reviewed funding is preferred but evidence of such funding in the past three years is essential. Studies should be related to either normal human brain development or specifically identified disease states. This includes molecular and clinical neuroscience as well as studies of neural, sensory, motor, cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning in health and disease. The grant proposal must detail a new research project that is not funded by other sources. This grant is not to be used as bridge funding.
Investigators at institutions that are affiliated with a medical school or university are eligible to apply only through the institution where they hold a full-time faculty position.
Scientists that have previously received a BRF Scientific Innovations Award may not receive the award for a second time until five years has elapsed since the beginning date of the prior award. Grant requirements from all previous awards must be met. Only one PI may apply per application. (Applicant may include the name of a Co-PI within or from another institution, but no additional supporting materials for the Co-PI are required, including biosketch, current grants, abstracts, etc.)
Ineligibility
1.) PI is ineligible if they are not a full-time faculty member at the institution in which they are applying under.
2.) PI is ineligible if they are an assistant professor or professor emeritus.
3.) PI is ineligible if they are a research associate professor.
4.) PI is ineligible to submit more than one BRF SIA proposal in a funding period.
5.) PI is ineligible if they have BRF funding that will overlap this grant period.
6.) PI is ineligible if they have been awarded prior BRF funding, but have failed to submit scientific and financial reports at the end of their grant period.
7.) PI is ineligible if they are a member of the BRF Scientific Review Committee.
8.) PI is ineligible if they are a relative of BRF a representative, including the SRC, as defined by the Foundation.
Eligible Countries:
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Brain Research Foundation
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 111 West Washington Street, Suite 1460 Chicago, Illinois 60602 Phone: 312.759.5150 Email: info@theBRF.org
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Jun 03, 2025
Sep 23, 2025
$150,000
Affiliation: Brain Research Foundation
Address: 111 West Washington Street, Suite 1460 Chicago, Illinois 60602 Phone: 312.759.5150 Email: info@theBRF.org
Website URL: https://www.thebrf.org/scientific-innovations-award/
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