Brain Research Foundation Seed Grant Program 2026

URL: https://www.thebrf.org/seed-grants/

NOTE: The foundation has not yet announced the 2026 cycle for this LSO but is expected to soon. The internal competition is announced in anticipation to allow prospective nominators sufficient time to prepare their applications. All information in this announcement is subject to change.

OBJECTIVE

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. The purpose of our program is to provide start-up monies for new research projects in the field of neuroscience that will likely lead to extramural funding from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other outside funding sources. BRF Seed Grant awards are not intended to supplement existing grants.

FUNDING INFORMATION

Total of $100,000 in direct costs only for a 2-year period.

The first grant payment of $50,000 will be made upon completion of the Seed Grant Acceptance Form (June 2026). The final payment of $50,000 will be made contingent upon receipt of a preliminary progress and financial report (June 2027). Funds must be utilized within the grant period.

Specifics:

  • 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.
  • 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.
    1. Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grants and indicate if there is any overlap.
  • Associate Professor – Faculty who are pursuing new research directions.
    1. Must explain how the project is a new research direction.
    2. Must provide abstract and specific aims for current grant(s) and indicate if there is any overlap.
  • A new technique is not considered a new direction unless it pertains to a different area of study.
  • Grants are NOT to be used for bridge funding between grants.

Allowable costs under this award:

  • Purchase and care of laboratory animals
  • Small pieces of laboratory equipment, totaling $5,000 or less
  • Laboratory supplies
  • Salary for scientific (including postdoctoral fellows) and technical staff (including laboratory technicians)

Please see BRF’s Guidelines for costs that are not permitted and other information.

ELIGIBILITY

PI must be a full-time Assistant or Associate Professor working in the area of studies of brain function. Studies of brain function includes molecular and clinical neuroscience as well as studies of neural, sensory, motor, cognitive, behavioral and emotional functioning in health and disease.

Only one PI may apply per application. Scientists that have previously received a BRF Seed Grant may not receive the award for a second time unless all grant requirements from all previous awards are met. The grant proposal must detail a new research project that is not funded by other sources.

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.

INTERNAL SELECTION PROCESS

BU may forward one nominee.

Interested investigators that submit grants through BU should prepare the following materials via InfoReady Review by: 9/10/2025

  • 1-paragraph New Direction Statement describing how the proposed project is a new project or research direction for your lab
  • 2-page Project Summary describing aims, methods, and goals of the new research project (assistant professor) OR new research direction (associate professor) as well as a closing paragraph about how the research will develop. References may be included on an additional page
  • Up-to-date biosketch (maximum 5 pages)

A faculty committee drawn from both campuses will review internal proposals and select nominees. Foundation Relations will work with the nominees to develop and submit the institutional nomination letter and applicant materials by 10/23/2025.

Please consult the Proposal Library for past BU applications.

For BUMC investigators working in a BMC space:

The internal selection process varies depending on whether your grants are managed by Boston University or Boston Medical Center. Consult the BUMC Home Institution Finder if you are uncertain whether you submit grants through BU or BMC.

Please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice (carolina.giudice@bmc.org) by 9/2/2025 for instructions on next steps.

DEADLINES:

BMC Deadline to Express Interest: Tuesday, September 2, 2025

Internal Materials Due: Wednesday, September 10, 2025 by 11:59 pm ET

Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, October 3, 2025

Letter of Intent Due: Thursday, October 23, 2025 by 4:00pm CST

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