The American Brain Foundation (ABF) has opened applications for its Next Generation Research Grants (NGRGs), offering early-career clinician-investigators an opportunity to receive up to $150,000 over two years to conduct high-quality research focused on better understanding, treating and preventing brain diseases and conditions.
The grant is designed to support researchers at an important stage of their careers as they develop independent research programmes. Applicants from accredited institutions in the United States and internationally are eligible, and there is no citizenship requirement.
The award provides $75,000 per year for two years, with funding available for salary support and research-related expenses. The grant period is expected to run from 1 July 2027 through 30 June 2029.
Applications must be submitted through ProposalCentral by 8 October 2026 at 5:00 PM Central Time.
The American Brain Foundation’s Next Generation Research Grants support early-career investigators undertaking research with the potential to contribute to improved outcomes for people affected by brain diseases.
The programme reflects ABF’s “Cure One, Cure Many” philosophy, which recognizes that discoveries in one area of brain disease research can generate knowledge and approaches that benefit research into other conditions.
The two-year grants support preclinical, clinical or translational research addressing disease mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment or prevention.
Importantly, proposed research should have potential relevance to more than one brain disease or condition.
$150,000 Research Grants
Successful applicants will receive a total award of $150,000 over two years.
The annual funding allocation is:
- $65,000 per year for salary support
- $10,000 per year for research-related expenses
- $75,000 total per year
- $150,000 total over two years
The grant does not support indirect costs, meaning the awarded funds must be used directly for the proposed research project.
Applicants may supplement the grant with other awards, although additional grant funding cannot exceed $75,000 annually.
The programme also provides 70% protected research time, allowing successful applicants to dedicate substantial time to their research and career development.
American Brain Foundation (ABF) $150,000 Next Generation Research Grants: Who is Eligible?
The grant is intended for early-career clinician-investigators.
Applicants must meet all of the stated eligibility requirements, including holding an MD, PhD or equivalent terminal-level clinical or research degree.
They must also have completed their clinical residency or PhD in 2022 or later.
Researchers working at accredited US and international institutions are eligible to apply. There is no citizenship requirement, making the opportunity potentially accessible to qualified researchers based outside the United States.
There is no limit on the number of applications that can be submitted from a single institution. Researchers may also apply for more than one NGRG during the same application cycle, but a separate complete application must be submitted for each grant.
American Brain Foundation (ABF) $150,000 Next Generation Research Grants: Research Areas of Interest
The Next Generation Research Grants support research addressing brain diseases and conditions through mechanisms, diagnosis, treatment or prevention.
In addition to the broader research priorities, ABF identifies several areas of particular interest.
These include:
- Mental health and neuropsychiatry
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Schizophrenia
- Addictions
- Women’s health
- Prevention and resilience
- Alzheimer’s disease and dementia
Applicants should ensure that their proposed projects align with the goals of the specific grant and demonstrate potential relevance beyond a single disease or condition.
American Brain Foundation (ABF) $150,000 Next Generation Research Grants: How Applications Will Be Evaluated
Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee of experts convened by the American Brain Foundation.
Reviewers will consider several core factors when assessing proposals.
These include the scientific rationale, innovation and methodological rigor of the proposed research. Applicants are expected to present a well-developed and testable hypothesis.
The potential clinical impact and translational value of the research will also be important, alongside the project’s alignment with the priorities of the grant.
Reviewers will assess the investigator’s expertise and potential to develop an independent research career.
The feasibility of the proposed aims will also be considered, including whether applicants have identified potential challenges and alternative approaches.
Strong mentorship is another important component of the application. Applicants should demonstrate that their mentor has relevant expertise and a clear commitment to supporting their research training and career development.
American Brain Foundation (ABF) $150,000 Next Generation Research Grants: Required Application Materials
Applicants must submit all required materials through ProposalCentral before the deadline.
The application includes a lay summary of no more than 250 words, written for a non-specialist audience. The summary should explain why the research matters to patients and families and clearly communicate its potential impact.
Applicants must also provide an alignment statement of no more than 500 words, explaining how their project supports the objectives of the RFP and ABF’s Cure One, Cure Many philosophy.
A Career Development Plan of up to one page is required. This should explain the applicant’s short- and long-term career goals, planned training, conference participation, mentorship and pathway toward research independence.
The central Research Plan may be up to three single-spaced pages, excluding bibliographic references. It should cover the project aims, hypothesis, background, significance, methodology, potential pitfalls, alternative approaches and supporting preliminary data or figures.
Applicants must additionally submit a current NIH Biosketch.
A Letter of Support will be requested from the applicant’s academic advisor, mentor or lab head. The letter must address the proposed research, mentor expertise, anticipated supervision and training, previous mentoring experience and the applicant’s potential for an independent research career.
Finally, the applicant’s department chair or equivalent institutional official must complete the required Institutional Sign-Off, confirming institutional support and adequate protected research time.
What Makes a Competitive Application?
ABF highlights several characteristics of strong applications.
A competitive proposal should present a clear, well-developed and testable hypothesis, supported by an appropriate statistical plan.
The proposed aims should be focused and achievable within the two-year award period.
Applicants should also demonstrate strong mentorship and provide a well-defined training plan based on specific career-development gaps.
Innovation is important, particularly where the research has potential relevance to multiple diseases or conditions and contributes meaningfully to the applicant’s long-term trajectory toward independence.
Clear communication is also essential. The proposal should explain the scientific problem, proposed solution and potential impact effectively.
Important Deadline
All application materials must be submitted by 8 October 2026 at 5:00 PM CT.
This deadline applies not only to materials submitted by the applicant but also to the mentor’s letter and department chair’s institutional sign-off.
Applicants are responsible for ensuring that these supporting materials are completed before the application deadline. Applications missing required materials at the close of the submission period will not be reviewed.
The anticipated award announcement is March 2027, with funding expected to begin on 1 July 2027.
Key Details at a Glance
| Opportunity | Details |
|---|---|
| Grant | Next Generation Research Grants |
| Organization | American Brain Foundation |
| Award | $150,000 |
| Annual funding | $75,000 per year |
| Duration | 2 years |
| Salary support | $65,000 per year |
| Research expenses | $10,000 per year |
| Protected research time | 70% |
| Eligible institutions | Accredited US and international institutions |
| Citizenship requirement | None |
| Target applicants | Early-career clinician-investigators |
| Degree | MD, PhD or equivalent |
| Residency/PhD completion | 2022 or later |
| Funding period | 1 July 2027 – 30 June 2029 |
| Application deadline | 8 October 2026, 5:00 PM CT |
| Award announcement | March 2027, anticipated |
How to Apply
Eligible researchers should prepare their applications carefully and ensure that every required component is submitted through ProposalCentral before the deadline.
Apply through ProposalCentral
For questions about this RFP or the application process, please contact the American Brain Foundation at grants@americanbrainfoundation.org. For questions about the application platform, contact ProposalCentral support at pcsupport@altum.com.
The Next Generation Research Grants represent a significant opportunity for early-career brain disease researchers seeking funding, protected research time and structured career development support. With international institutions eligible and no citizenship requirement, qualified clinician-investigators worldwide can consider applying for this competitive two-year research award.
