The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant (Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism)

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant (Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism) is sponsored by Brain & Behavior Research Foundation. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.

The Brain & Behavior Foundation Grant The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant — Supporting Cutting-Edge Mental Health Research The Brain & Behavior Foundation Grant was launched in 2023 in support of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism.

The journalist awarded this grant will join a talented and diverse cohort of eight other fellows from around the United States tackling some of society’s most significant mental health challenges through their fellowship projects.

The Brain & Behavior Foundation Grant is awarded annually to a gifted journalist who proposes an in-depth investigation into a mental health topic of their choice, with a focus on cutting-edge research in mental health treatments.

The goal of the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism (RCJF) is to increase effective and accurate reporting on mental health issues; equip journalists with tools needed to produce high-quality work that reflects an understanding of those issues; and develop a diverse cohort of better-informed journalists who can more effectively report on behavioral health across evolving and emerging platforms.

RCJF annually awards nine U.S. fellows a $10,000 stipend, intensive training on mental health reporting through the RCJF Learning Lab, access to resources, and mentorship. To date, more than 250 journalists from the United States, Latin America, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Romania, South Africa, and New Zealand have received fellowships.

By providing this grant, The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) supports investigation into cutting-edge mental and behavioral health research, bringing new treatments and care protocols to light for practitioners, academia, policymakers, and the public.

For more than 30 years, BBRF has funded innovative research in neuroscience and psychiatry to develop better treatments, cures, and methods of prevention for psychiatric illnesses and, ultimately, lessen the suffering of those living with them. This generous gift from BBRF brings to fruition a partnership that has been decades in the making.

Dr. Herb Pardes is the founding president of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation’s Scientific Council, an all-volunteer, world-renowned board of brain and behavioral experts who review and select innovative research for BBRF to fund. He also worked alongside former First Lady Rosalynn Carter in the early days of her mental health advocacy work. “Science helps combat the stigma.

If we can get journalists to speak about the science [behind mental health challenges] and help the public to understand it scientifically, we’ll fight the stigma. ” — Jeffrey Borenstein, M. D.

, President and CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation The Brain & Behavior Foundation Grantee - 2025-2026 Corinne Purtill is a health and science reporter for The Los Angeles Times. Her writing on science… Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein serves as the President & CEO of the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation, the largest private funder of mental health research grants.

Dr. Borenstein developed the Emmy-nominated public television program “Healthy Minds,” and serves as host and executive producer of the series. The program, broadcast nationwide, is available online and focuses on topics in psychiatry to educate the public, reduce stigma and offer a message of hope. Dr. Borenstein also serves as Editor-in-Chief of Psychiatric News, the newspaper of the American Psychiatric Association.

Dr. Borenstein is a Fellow of the New York Academy of Medicine and serves as the Chair of the Section of Psychiatry at the Academy. He also has served as the President of the New York State Psychiatric Association. Dr. Borenstein earned his undergraduate degree at Harvard and his medical degree at New York University.

Geoffrey A. Simon is the Managing Director, Senior Vice President, Investments with Simon & Associates Wealth Management of Raymond James. Geoffrey’s financial management philosophy is that successful, high-achieving individuals require sophisticated financial strategies.

Designing those strategies demands more than just knowledge of the markets; it demands creative thinking, energetic pursuit of opportunities and the ability to envision possibilities. Geoffrey has an MBA in Finance from the University of South Florida (USF) and a BA in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He serves on the Board of the USF Foundation.

Frequently Asked Questions What is the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant? The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant is awarded annually to a gifted journalist who proposes an in-depth investigation into a mental health topic of their choice, with a focus on cutting-edge research in mental health treatments.

The goal of the journalism fellowship is to increase effective and accurate reporting on mental health issues; equip journalists with tools needed to produce high-quality work that reflects an understanding of those issues; and develop a diverse cohort of better-informed journalists who can more effectively report on behavioral health across evolving and emerging platforms.

What’s the difference between Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism and the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant?

The Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism is focused on three key goals: increasing effective and accurate reporting on behavioral health issues; equipping journalists with the tools needed to produce high-quality work that reflects an understanding of behavioral health; and developing a diverse cohort of better-informed journalists who can more effectively report on behavioral health across evolving and emerging platforms.

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation grant is awarded to one Rosalynn Carter Fellow per year who will focus on cutting-edge mental health research. The journalist awarded the grant must propose an in-depth investigation into a mental health topic of their choice, with a focus on cutting-edge research in mental health treatments. How is the grantee selected?

Like the other Rosalynn Carter Fellows, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation grantee is selected by a committee of current and former journalists, mental health experts, and the Fellowship Advisory Board. Additionally, for this grantee, counsel from Brain & Behavior Research Foundation will be considered.

For all grantees there is a recognition of the importance of diverse perspectives, empathy, and compelling storytelling, holding the powerful accountable, potential for impact, and the communities their fellowship projects will cover. How is the grantee supported?

Like all Rosalynn Carter Fellows, the grantee receives intensive training from leading behavioral health and journalism experts and a $10,000 stipend to report on an investigative mental health topic of their choice.

Fellows’ experiences include effective training on behavioral health reporting from past fellows and advisors, connecting with alumni, mentorship from the Fellowship Advisory Board and investigative journalists, and a deeper understanding of behavioral health. Additionally, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation and its Scientific Council of 180+ experts from around the world are available to support all the Fellows.

The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) Grant is funded by The Brain & Behavior Foundation. Dr. Herb Pardes, the founding president of The Brain & Behavior Foundation, worked closely with First Lady Rosalynn Carter in the early days of her mental health advocacy work. In 2022, this relationship came full circle when BBRF partnered with the Carter Center to establish and fund this grant.

Is experience in mental health reporting required? Previous experience in mental health reporting is not necessary to apply for this fellowship. Because the fellowships are highly competitive, we recommend having experience in investigative reporting before applying for the grant.

Topics should be newsworthy, clearly articulated, and mental health-focused. How can I apply for the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant? Once applications are open, apply as you would for the general fellowship and indicate your interest in the investigative or scientific angle of your project.

The Brain & Behavior Foundation Grant What are the requirements to apply for this grant? Applicants must have at least three years of experience as a journalist or working directly in journalism. Blogging, academic writing, and public relations do not count toward journalism experience.

Experience in mental health is not required. Because the fellowships are highly competitive, we recommend having experience in investigative or science reporting before applying for the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Grant . Applicants must submit a full fellowship application and be available to attend training in mid-September at the beginning and end of the fellowship year.

Applicants for the nine U.S.-based fellowships must be citizens or residents of the United States. International fellows may apply for the mental health and climate change fellowship. Preference is given for low-and middle-income countries.

International fellowships are also available in Latin America, the UAE, and Ireland. Email carterfellows@cartercenter. org for the contacts in each country.

If you are interested in partnering for a new topical or country-based fellowship, please email us for more information. What is the deadline to apply for this grant? Applications for the Rosalynn Carter Fellowships for Mental Health Journalism open at the end of January and close the first week in April.

Fellow selection involves several rounds, and the fellowship announcement is made by the second week in July. For 2026-2027, the fellowship call opens January 30 at 11:59 p. m.

and closes April 3 at 11:59 p. m. ET.

Please review this FAQ section and visit the Meet the Fellows section of this site to see examples of previous projects. Please email carterfellows@cartercenter. org with any other questions.