One Mind Rising Star Awards

One Mind launched the Rising Star Awards in 2005 with the fundamental belief that investing in world-class early-career investigators pursuing innovative, high-risk/high-reward research would accelerate breakthroughs in mental health conditions and psychiatric disorders. Since its inception, One Mind has awarded 54 Rising Star Awards to researchers pushing the frontiers of mental health science through their research and leadership.

This year, One Mind will award up to four Rising Star Awards, each providing a $300,000 research grant ($100,000 per year for three years).

Awardees will gain exclusive access to the Science Leaders Program designed to equip them with the skills, network, and opportunities to drive meaningful impact in neuroscience research and mental health. Through leadership training, networking, and executive coaching, they will develop expertise in media engagement, negotiation, communication, personal branding, and impactful leadership. Workshops, webinars, and one-on-one mentorship with subject-matter experts will further empower them to become thought leaders shaping the future of mental health.

Awardees will be selected through a rigorous evaluation process based on the scientific rigor, potential for impact, relevance, feasibility, and innovation of the proposed project, as well as the candidate’s credentials, research productivity, and leadership potential.

APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY MONDAY, APRIL 27, 2026 by 9PM PT.

We invite you to attend one of our 30-minute virtual information sessions to learn more about the grant opportunity, application process, and participate in a Q&A session.

Click here to register for a session:

Webinar 1:  Tuesday, March 31 at 10AM PT / 1PM ET

Webinar 2:  Friday, April 10 at 12.30PM PT / 3:30PM ET

• The 2026 One Mind Rising Star Awards will support grant proposals spanning basic/preclinical, translational, and clinical research for psychiatric disorders. 

• These include, but are not limited to, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, anxiety disorders, and suicidality.

• Transdiagnostic investigations and research that bring us closer to precision psychiatry will be given special attention. Illustrative examples include metabolomics biomarkers, gut microbiome-brain interactions, psychedelics, closed-loop neurostimulation, (AI/ML)-based biomarkers, and predictive analytics-based models for evaluating risk or treatment efficacy. 

• Outside the scope:
  • Autism spectrum disorder, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and neurodegenerative disorders are out of scope. 
  • Studies solely focused on addiction/substance use disorders (SUD) are outside the scope. Studies at the intersection of SUD and psychiatric disorders are within scope.  

• Examples of relevant research include, but are not limited to studies that aim to:
  • Discover the molecular/genetic, synaptic, cellular, or circuit/network basis of psychiatric disorders in model organisms or humans.
  • Advance biomarker development to improve diagnosis and/or treatment outcomes. 
  • Investigate common mechanisms of brain dysfunction between two or more disorders.
  • Develop new experimental or computational approaches/models/tools for a sophisticated understanding of disease etiology, pathophysiology, resilience, and/or recovery.
  • Evaluate therapeutic mechanisms and modes of action for interventions including pharmaceuticals, neurostimulation, digital therapies, and other cognitive/behavioral health interventions. 
  • Identify and/or test novel pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapeutic targets.
  • Improve our understanding of how age, race/ethnicity, and/or comorbidities impact the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment effectiveness.

Click here to learn more about previously-funded RSA research.

• Each One Mind Rising Star Award recipient will receive:
  • A research grant of $300,000 over a three-year project period.
  • Development opportunities via our Science Leaders Program. This program provides awardees with leadership training, networking and singular career development opportunities, and catalytic tools to serve as scientific thought leaders and transform the mental health ecosystem. Through workshops, webinars, and 1:1 scientific and executive coaching and support, awardees will work with subject-matter experts on media training, negotiation skills, scientific and non-scientific communications, personal branding, and leading with impact.
  • Awardees will be invited to present their research at the Science and Innovators’ Symposium during the 32nd One Mind Music Festival (September 17-20, 2026, in Napa, California). They will gain exclusive access to scientific events, an in-person communication and leadership training workshop, and a networking dinner with top One Mind-affiliated scientists, innovators, and entrepreneurs. The experience also includes a wine tasting reception, concert, and VIP dinner with dancing. All travel and accommodations will be covered by One Mind.

• Applicants must be independent investigators (faculty or equivalent) already employed at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor (or equivalent).
• Applicants should be within up to 8 years of their initial independent appointment to qualify as an early career investigator. 
• Applicants must have a doctoral level degree (e.g., MD, PhD, PsyD, PharmD, etc.) with demonstrated academic excellence, leadership, and research productivity in scientific fields relevant to  mental health and psychiatry.. 
• Pre-doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows, instructor-level faculty, and full professors are not eligible to apply. 
• Applicants can apply for the award only one time per year for a maximum of three times in their career. 
• We encourage researchers of all backgrounds who meet the requirements to apply. 
• Non-US citizens who are working within a US institution or organization are welcome to apply.
• One Mind reserves the sole right to decide if an applicant meets the eligibility requirements.

All applications must be completed and submitted by Monday, April 27, 2026 by 9PM PT, through One Mind’s online grants management portal.

Please register your account first on the portal and then click the Apply button to start your application.

1. Face Sheet

Complete the requested information in the application portal, including basic biographical and demographic information.

2. Project Narrative (250 words max.)

In clear, non-technical language understandable to a lay audience, describe:

• The problem your research addresses
• What you propose to do
• Why it matters
• How it could lead to better diagnosis, prevention, and/or treatment of psychiatric disorders and mental health conditions

3. Research Proposal (2 pages max.)

Your proposal should include:

• Background
• Significance and impact
• Hypothesis
• Rationale
• Experimental design and brief methods
• Predicted outcomes / expected datasets
• Potential pitfalls and alternative strategies

Specifications:

• 2 pages maximum, Arial 11 pt font, single-spaced, minimum 0.5” margins
• Page limit includes figures, tables, and schematics
• Bibliography on a separate 3rd page
• Gantt chart on a separate 4th page (include timelines for each scientific aim)
• Clearly state when you can begin the project and any potential sources of delay (e.g., IRB approval, hiring)
• Preliminary data is not required
• The proposal must not overlap with existing funding

4. Budget (Half-page max.)

Provide a summary budget for all 3 years of funding.

Indirect costs are capped at 20% of direct costs and must be included within the total award amount (not added on top).

5. Data Sharing Plan (Half-page max.)

Describe how data will be shared with the broader research community.

If human subjects are involved:

• Consent documents must include language permitting sharing of de-identified data and/or biological samples in accordance with IRB policies
• IRB approval is not required at the time of application but will be required prior to release of funds

6. Recommendation Letter (1 page max.)

One letter from the Dean, Department Chair, or Head of Scientific Program. The letter should briefly describe:

• The applicant’s scientific merit and leadership potential
• Institutional support and available resources

7. NIH-Style Biosketch (2 page max.)

8. Resources & Personnel (1 page max.)

Describe:

• Available facilities and equipment
• Key personnel who will work on the project (e.g., graduate students, postdocs, collaborators)

Applicants launching new labs may describe planned hires and anticipated infrastructure.

9. Lab and Team Culture (200 words max.)

How do you shape the culture of the lab, team, department or organization you lead? Describe the values or practices you aim to foster and provide one example of a step you have taken to build that culture.

10. Leadership in Action (200 words max.)

What does leadership in science mean to you? Briefly describe the responsibilities scientific leaders carry and share an example of a leadership challenge or opportunity you encountered and how you addressed it.

11. Lived Experience & Community Integration (200 words max.)

Describe how you define and understand the role of lived experience in mental health research. Share whether and how you have meaningfully engaged individuals with lived experience in your work to date, and/or how you plan to thoughtfully integrate lived experience into your future research.

12. Translation & Entrepreneurship (200 words max.)

Describe how you approach translation and entrepreneurship in the context of your work. How do you think about moving discoveries beyond the lab and into real-world impact? You may share any entrepreneurial, translational, commercialization, or implementation efforts you have pursued (e.g., startups, patents, industry collaborations, company consulting), as well as what you hope to build, launch, or translate in the future.

Applications will be reviewed by the One Mind Scientific Advisory Board in partnership with independent scientific experts, including past RSA awardees. Proposals will be evaluated based on scientific merit, innovation, relevance, feasibility, and potential for meaningful real-world impact. In addition to research excellence, we seek holistic applicants and will consider leadership activities, community engagement, entrepreneurial thinking, and broader contributions to the field. Applicants will be assessed on their academic track record, research productivity, leadership potential, and overall commitment to advancing mental health research.

Top-ranked applicants will undergo an additional review by the One Mind Lived Experience Council, which will provide perspective on relevance and potential impact from a lived experience lens.

Applicants will be notified of funding decisions in mid-July 2026 (anticipated around July 13, 2026).

April 27, 2026 Applications due by 9PM PT
July 13, 2026 Notification of decision (subject to change)
January 1, 2027 Earliest start date for the award (subject to change)

• One Mind expects the highest standards for ethical conduct of research from awardees and, in general, regards the policies of the National Institutes of Health as gold-standard guidelines for such procedures.
• Awardees are required to attend the Summit on the Future of Mental Health Research and present their proposed research at the Scientists and Innovators’ Meeting and Symposium at the 32nd One Mind Music Festival, taking place on September 18-19, 2026, in Napa Valley, California. One Mind will cover all travel and accommodation expenses.
• Awardees are expected to participate in all activities associated with the One Mind Science Leaders Program, our leadership program. The estimated time commitment for this program is an average of 2 hours/month. This includes attending all our online training workshops, engaging in mentorship sessions and attending in-person or virtual networking activities.
• Progress reports and financial statements will be due at the conclusion of each grant year.
• The project period is three years. $100,000 will be disbursed to awardees annually. Research funding for Years 2 and 3 is contingent upon satisfactory progress made towards fulfillment of aims outlined in the grant proposal as determined by the One Mind Scientific Advisory Board.
• Indirect costs are capped at 20% of the direct costs and must be allocated from within the total direct cost amount (i.e., they cannot be added on top of the award).
• One Mind allows reasonable flexibility in the use of funds for equipment, software, salaries, publication, stipends, etc., as long as they are in service of the research proposal. Funds cannot be used for travel and conferences/meetings.
• Unused research funds may be carried over to the following year, and requests for no-cost extensions will be considered.
• One Mind advocates for open and rapid dissemination of scientific methods, reagents, tools, and results. Including:
  • Reagents/tools developed with this funding, including plasmids/clones, cell lines, transgenic organisms, and antibodies will be made available for dissemination to the research community via suitable repositories (e.g. Addgene, Jackson Labs.)
  • Software code developed for the proposed research is to be made publicly available on GitHub or a similar public platform. 
  • Any datasets curated or generated through the proposal will be made publicly available through an appropriate data repository.
  • Publications related to this funded work must be submitted to a preprint server (e.g. bioRxiv) at or before the first submission to a journal. 
• One Mind requests awardees to acknowledge support from this funding in all resulting publications, preprints, and presentations.

Scope of Research & Projects

What types of research and projects are eligible?

The Rising Star Awards support innovative, hypothesis-driven research that offers mechanistic insight into psychiatric and mental health conditions. Eligible fields of study include basic neuroscience, translational, and clinical research that advance the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, or prevention of psychiatric disorders, including:

• Schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, OCD, eating disorders, PTSD, anxiety disorders, and suicidality
• Transdiagnostic and precision psychiatry approaches are encouraged

What kinds of research approaches are encouraged?

Eligible and encouraged project areas include:

• Discovering molecular, genetic, synaptic, cellular, or circuit-level mechanisms in humans or models
• Advancing biomarker development
• Investigating shared mechanisms between multiple disorders
• Developing experimental or computational tools/models
• Evaluating mechanisms of action for treatments (e.g., pharmaceuticals, neurostimulation, digital therapies)
• Testing novel therapeutic targets (pharmacological and non-pharmacological)
• Studying how age, race/ethnicity, or comorbidities affect treatment or prognosis

What does “high-risk, high-reward” mean?

High-risk, high-reward proposals are those that:

• Tackle bold, underexplored questions
• Introduce novel methodologies or frameworks
• Challenge conventional thinking and explore uncharted scientific territory
• Hold strong potential for breakthrough discoveries that can transform mental health science

Are studies on SUD, ASD, ADHD, or neurodegenerative disorders eligible?

These are not eligible as the primary focus of a proposal. However, proposals may be considered if:

• They are studied in relation to in-scope psychiatric conditions, or
• The underlying mechanisms, circuits, or methodologies are clearly relevant to psychiatric disorders

Applicant Eligibility

Who is eligible to apply?

You are eligible to apply if you:

• Are within 8 years of your first independent research appointment
  (extensions are allowed for parental or medical leave—please note this in your application)
• Hold a position equivalent to Assistant or Associate Professor
• Are based at a U.S. institution (non-U.S. citizens are eligible if conducting research at a U.S.-based institution)
• Hold a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, PsyD, PharmD)

How many times can I apply?

You may apply up to three times over your career, but no more than once per year.

Can multiple applicants apply from the same institution?

Yes—there are no institutional limits.

Application Process

How do I apply?

Applications must be submitted through the online portal.

Who is a Nominating Officer?

An official in a leadership position within any of the following offices, or equivalent:

• Office of Sponsored Programs (OSP)
• Research Administration / VP for Research
• Department Chair, Dean’s Office, or Hospital Research Office

How do I complete submission?

Once your Nominating Officer completes the electronic sign-off:

1. You will receive a notification
2. Log back into the system
3. Click “Submit” to finalize your application

Does the 2-page limit include references?

No. References do not count toward the 2-page limit for the main research proposal section. Please include them on a separate page.

Award Details & Budget

How many awards will be given?

5 awards will be granted in 2026.

What is the funding amount?

Each award provides:

• $300,000 total funding
• Distributed as $100,000 per year over 3 years

Are there additional benefits?

Yes. Awardees join the Science Leaders Program, which includes:

• Mentorship and executive coaching
• Leadership and communication training
• Access to a peer network of researchers and leaders

When does funding begin?

Funding is expected to begin in January 2027, pending regulatory and institutional approvals (e.g., IRB/IACUC).

What expenses are allowed?

Flexible use of funds is permitted. Direct costs include:

• Personnel (including PI salary)
• Equipment, materials, imaging, and digital tools
• Subject costs and diagnostics
• Publication fees and limited travel costs
• Other costs directly relevant to the proposed research

Indirect costs (F&A) are limited to 20% of total direct costs (not 20% of the total award). These costs must be calculated based on the direct cost portion of the budget and are included within the $100,000 annual total. Example: If direct costs are $83,333, indirect costs may be up to $16,667 (20% of direct costs), for a total of $100,000.

Can collaborators or external personnel be included?

Yes. Collaborators may be supported, but:

• The PI is responsible for managing subcontracts, oversight, and payments
• Funds are disbursed solely to the PI