NOTE:
The foundation has not yet announced the 2027 cycle for this LSO but is expected to at the end of August. 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.
The objective of the Brain Research Foundation (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 two-year period.
The first grant payment of $50,000 will be made upon completion of the Seed Grant Acceptance Form (June 2027). The final payment of $50,000 will be made contingent upon receipt of a preliminary progress and financial report (June 2028). 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
The internal selection process depends on whether your grants are managed by BU or Boston Medical Center (BMC). Use the steps below to determine this information:
- Step 1: Open the BUMC Home Institution Finder
- Step 2: Log in to search the database – search using your last name
- Step 3: Follow one process:
- If you see BU or BU-CAMED, follow BU Process below
- If you see BMC, follow the BMC Process below
BU Process
BU may forward one nominee. Interested medical campus applicants should submit the following materials via InfoReady Review by August 6, 2026.
- New Direction Statement (300 words max) describing how the proposed project is a new project or research direction for your lab.
- Project Summary (two pages max) describing all of the following that apply:
- Assistant Professor applicants: the aims, methods, and goals of the new research project.
- Associate Professor applicants: the new research direction.
- Closing statement about how the research will develop.
- References/Citations may be included on one additional page.
- Up-to-date Biosketch using SciENcv (see BU’s SciENcv guidance page).
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 October 23, 2026. If your primary appointment is BU-CAMED and you have questions about this process or your application, please reach out to Julia Huntsman (jhunts@bu.edu) or Gahyun Yoo (gyoo0818@bu.edu) in the Proposal Development Office.
Please consult the Proposal Library for past BU applications.
BMC Process
If you are a BUMC faculty member who works in BMC space or you are a fellow whose faculty advisor is a BMC investigator, please contact the Program Manager of Strategic Research Growth, Carolina Giudice (carolina.giudice@bmc.org) by Wednesday, July 29 to express interest in this opportunity.
DEADLINES
- BMC Expression of Interest Due: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
- BU Internal Materials Due: Thursday, August 6, 2026 by 11:59 pm ET
- Anticipated Notification Date: Friday, August 28, 2026
- **Expected Letter of Intent Due: Friday, October 23, 2026
In requesting to be considered for this limited submission funding opportunity, you are making a commitment, if selected, to submit your proposal to the sponsor in a timely manner and to Sponsored Programs in accordance with the Proposal Submission Policy
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