Current Open Limited Submission Funding Opportunities

Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant Program

Apply through the Harvard University Funding Portal

Eligible Faculty: Assistant and Associate Professors at HMS and HMS Affiliated Hospitals.

To be eligible, PI must be a full-time Assistant or Associate Professor at an invited US academic institution, working in the area of studies of brain function. 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.

Focus Area: Neuroscience research related to cognition, neurodegeneration, learning and development or other neurological diseases

Nominations Available to HMS: 2    HMS Faculty at the affiliated hospitals must apply through the Foundation funds.  Harvard University is the official nominating institution.  HMS Nominees will move on to the Harvard-wide competition offered through the Office of the Vice Provost for Research.

Funding and Award Period: Each total grant is limited to $100,000 for a two year grant period.*

Program Description:  The objective of the BRF Seed Grant Program is to support new and innovative projects, especially those of junior faculty, who are working in new research directions. BRF Seed Grant awards are not intended to supplement existing grants.

1.  Funding is to be directed at pilot research projects that are both innovative and will likely lead to successful grant applications to NIH and other public and private funding entities.

2.  Assistant Professor – Junior faculty with a new research project that will generate pilot data that will lead to RO1 funding or a comparable outside grant will be first priority. • Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grants and indicate if there is any overlap.

3.  Associate Professor – Faculty who are pursuing new research directions.  Must explain how the project is a new research direction. • Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grant(s) and indicate if there is any overlap.

4.  A new technique is not considered a new direction unless it pertains to a different area of study.

5.  Seed Grants are NOT to be used for bridge funding between grants.

*Allowable costs under this award: 100% of these Seed Grant funds must be utilized for direct costs.

Apply through the Harvard University Funding Portal

Additional information about this opportunity is available on the Brain Research Foundation website