The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has awarded over $12.5 million in two-year grants to 180 early-career scientists as part of its 2026 Young Investigator program. This initiative aims to support researchers tackling various brain and behavior disorders and is among the most significant private funding efforts for launching careers in psychiatric research. The awards were distributed after evaluating 993 applications, and the selection process was conducted by the foundation’s Scientific Council, which comprises 192 prominent scientists and clinicians in psychiatry and neuroscience.
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The Young Investigator program addresses a crucial gap in biomedical funding where federal grants typically favor established researchers with extensive preliminary data. This support allows early-career scientists to pursue innovative and potentially transformative research that might not attract larger institutional backing prematurely. Many esteemed figures in psychiatry, including Nobel laureates, received initial support from the foundation during their formative years.
Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., President & CEO of the foundation, noted that this new cohort represents a promising future for mental health research. He expressed excitement about supporting young researchers who will leverage new technologies and insights to advance understanding and treatment of mental illnesses. The awards cover a wide array of psychiatric conditions, with over 52 percent of funded projects focusing on depression and schizophrenia, significant contributors to global disability.
Additionally, a substantial number of grants are directed toward anxiety disorders, addictions, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, and suicide prevention. A notable focus is also placed on the early stages of human development, with over 30 projects, approximately one in six of the awarded studies, examining prenatal brain development or childhood and adolescence. This reflects an increasing acknowledgment that the biological and environmental underpinnings of mental illness often develop prior to adult symptom onset.
The research methods being pursued are diverse. Studies will explore new treatments for postpartum depression and examine psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin and 5-MeO-DMT, indicating a renewed scientific interest in these substances. Other investigations aim to advance non-invasive brain stimulation techniques and analyze how early-life stress correlates with later mental health vulnerabilities.
In terms of research type, 88 percent of the grants focus on basic science, laying the groundwork for future treatments. Meanwhile, 24 percent support next-generation therapies and 17 percent advance diagnostic tools and early intervention strategies. This structure balances fundamental research with clinical applications.
The global nature of the awardees is also notable, with 79 percent based in the United States and the remaining 21 percent hailing from 15 other countries. This international participation addresses the fact that mental illnesses affect individuals worldwide, making shared research advancements invaluable.
Judith M. Ford, Ph.D., President of the BBRF Scientific Council, highlighted the program's humanitarian aspect. She emphasized the grants' goal of funding innovative research that aims to mitigate the suffering associated with mental illness, positioning the grantees at the forefront of developing new prevention strategies and therapies.
Since its inception in 1987, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has allocated more than $487 million to support over 5,900 scientists globally, establishing it as one of the most prominent private funders of mental health research. Its commitment rests on ensuring that every dollar donated goes directly to research, allowing it to continue this essential work through varying funding climates. A full list and details of the 2026 Young Investigator projects can be found in the foundation’s project booklet.