Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award

Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award is sponsored by McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience (established by The McKnight Foundation). This award assists scientists working to apply knowledge from basic research to human brain disorders and who demonstrate a commitment to equitable and inclusive lab environments.

Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award - McKnight Foundation You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Global Collaboration for Resilient Food Systems Vibrant & Equitable Communities Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award The McKnight Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Award (NBD Award) assists scientists working to apply the knowledge achieved through basic research to human brain disorders, and who demonstrate a commitment to equitable and inclusive lab environments. Each year, up to four awards are given.

Awards provide $100,000 per year for three years. Funds may be used toward a variety of research activities, and not more than 10% of grant funds may be used for the applicant and any co-principal investigator’s combined salaries. We are interested in proposals that address the biological mechanisms of neurological and psychiatric disorders.

This includes proposals that provide mechanistic insights into neurological functions at the synaptic, cellular, molecular, genetic or behavioral level across different species , including humans and vertebrate and invertebrate model organisms. A new additional area of interest is the contribution of the environment to brain disorders.

We are particularly interested in proposals that incorporate new approaches and in those that provide potential paths for therapeutic interventions. Collaborative and cross-disciplinary applications are encouraged. Environmental Contributions to Brain Disorders Early-life environmental stress is a powerful disposing factor for later neurological and psychiatric disorders.

Studies show communities of color are at higher risk for these stressors, which range from environmental ( e.g. climate, nutrition, exposure to chemicals, pollution) to social ( e.g. family, education, housing, poverty). From a clinical perspective, understanding how environmental factors contribute to brain disease is essential for developing effective therapies.

In this competition, up to four McKnight awardees will be selected to receive three years of support, beginning July 1, 2027. The total award is $300,000, paid in equal installments of $100,000 in 2027, 2028, and 2029. Not more than 10% of grant funds may be used for indirect costs, and not more than 10% of grant funds may be used for the applicant and any co-principal investigator’s combined salaries.

As with our Scholar program, a huge benefit of receiving a McKnight award is the chance to join a community of the nation’s best neuroscientists that they will continue to learn from, interact and collaborate with over their lifetime. Award winners attend the McKnight Conference on Neuroscience for the three years after receiving the award, and then return to the conference every three years.

No other community in neuroscience has this kind of longitudinal impact and that demonstrates such a strong sense of community. The conference has met in Aspen, Colorado since 1998, and invites over 100 current and previous McKnight awardees every year.

The bulk of the conference involves third year current awardees sharing the results of their research and ample opportunities for informal scientific discussion to fuel new ideas and collaborations. An entire session is devoted to a neurological disorder (e.g. Alzheimer’s, Autism, Depression, among others) with specialists invited to speak and host a Q & A.