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BrainStorm Neuroscience Pitch Competition

Mind Science Foundation

The BrainStorm Neuroscience Pitch Competition™ has a specific focus on funding for early-career researchers teamed with senior primary investigators, working on pilot studies to help them obtain grants for further research, with an additional strategic goal designed to incentivize the building of skills in translating complex neuroscience for a general audience through a pitch video. Finalists are guaranteed $30,000 in funding. The general public cast votes online for the best video for an additional $10,000 Audience Choice award.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🧠 1. Focus on Consciousness Research

MSF specifically funds cutting-edge basic science projects exploring:

The nature, origins, or mechanisms of conscious awareness

Neural correlates of consciousness (NCCs)

The interface between subjective experience and brain function

Sleep, dreaming, altered states, meditation, or sensory perception

Predictor: Clear articulation of how the project addresses fundamental questions in consciousness science, not general neuroscience.

💡 2. Innovative, High-Risk Ideas

MSF favors bold, original hypotheses that may not yet qualify for federal funding.

Projects should explore understudied questions, use novel methodologies, or challenge traditional frameworks.

Predictor: A creative, paradigm-shifting concept supported by logical reasoning or emerging data.

🧪 3. Scientific Rigor and Feasibility

Proposals must include:

Well-designed experimental methods

Specific, testable hypotheses

A clear plan for analysis and interpretation

Even with risk-taking research, technical feasibility and clarity of scope are critical.

Predictor: Strong methodology, pilot data, and realistic milestones.

🧑‍🔬 4. Investigator Track Record in Neuroscience or Cognitive Science

Priority given to researchers with:

Prior work on consciousness, perception, attention, or neural systems

Publications in relevant journals (NeuroImage, PNAS, JNeurosci, Consciousness & Cognition)

Early-career investigators with strong mentorship and institutional backing are also encouraged.

Predictor: Strong publication record or promising trajectory in mind/brain research.

🧩 5. Multidisciplinary and Mechanistic Approaches

MSF values interdisciplinary work, such as:

Neuroscience + physics + philosophy

Neuroimaging + AI/machine learning

Psychology + computational modeling

Predictor: Integration of methods across disciplines to probe the “hard problem” of consciousness.

📋 MSF Grant Focus Areas:

Seed Funding / Pilot Projects
– Grants typically range from $25,000–$50,000
– Enable high-risk, early-stage studies that may lead to larger NIH or NSF funding

Research on Conscious States
– Projects related to meditation, hypnosis, near-death experiences, dreams, anesthesia, etc.

Neural Mechanisms
– Focus on specific brain circuits or technologies (e.g., EEG, fMRI, optogenetics)

🧠 Funded Institutions Include:

MIT

University of Wisconsin–Madison (Davidson Lab)

Princeton

UC Santa Barbara

University of Arizona (Center for Consciousness Studies)

✅ Successful Grant Traits Summary:

Trait	Description
Relevance	Direct study of consciousness or awareness
Innovation	Unique ideas, underexplored areas
Scientific Rigor	Sound design and clear hypothesis
Feasibility	Realistic scope, milestones, and timeline
Investigator Strength	Proven or promising experience in neuroscience/cognition
Interdisciplinary Work	Combines diverse methods or perspectives

Specialties

Artificial Intelligence

Data Science

Eligibility Requirements

The BrainStorm Neuroscience Pitch Competitio is the vehicle used by Mind Science to fund early-career researchers teamed with senior primary investigators, working on pilot studies to help them obtain grants for further research, with an additional element of a pitch video designed to incentivize the building of skills in translating complex neuroscience for a general audience.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Mind Science Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 117 West El Prado Dr. San Antonio, TX 78212 (210) 821-6094

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