The Brain & Behavior Research Foundation (BBRF) has unveiled its 2025 cohort of Young Investigator grantees, marking a significant investment in early-career scientists whose innovative research stands at the frontiers of neuroscience and psychiatry. This year’s selection includes 165 grantees who will collectively receive $11.4 million in seed funding distributed over two years. This allocation represents a 10% increase in the number of awards compared to previous years, affirming BBRF’s commitment to fostering breakthroughs in understanding and treating brain and behavior disorders.
The competitive nature of this program is underscored by the sheer volume of applications—895 proposals were rigorously evaluated by BBRF’s Scientific Council. This council is comprised of 194 volunteer experts spanning a broad spectrum of psychiatry and neuroscience disciplines, ensuring that only the most promising and scientifically robust projects receive funding. The foundation’s rigorous selection process reflects the high standards and forward-thinking perspectives required to tackle complex mental health challenges.
These young investigators embody a new wave of scientific inquiry into mental illness, applying cutting-edge methodologies and technologies to elucidate the biological and behavioral underpinnings of psychiatric disorders. Jeffrey Borenstein, M.D., President and CEO of BBRF, emphasizes the transformative potential of these researchers, noting their role in pioneering advances that could ultimately translate into prevention strategies, innovative therapies, and possibly cures for debilitating conditions.
The 2025 grants target an array of mental health disorders, reflecting the urgency and diversity of research needed in this field. More than half of the funded projects focus on depression or schizophrenia, two conditions that contribute significantly to global disease burden. Other awarded studies tackle anxiety disorders, addiction, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), bipolar disorder, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and suicide prevention. Together, these projects represent a comprehensive approach to understanding and addressing mental health.
A particularly notable dimension of this year’s research is the use of induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) technology, a relatively recent innovation that allows cells derived from adult tissues to be reprogrammed into stem cells. These cells can then differentiate into various types of brain cells, providing an unparalleled window into the earliest cellular and molecular events that give rise to psychiatric pathology. Around a dozen grantees will employ iPSC models to dissect the initial disease mechanisms, a testament to the pivotal role of this technology in contemporary mental health research.
Analytically, the distribution of research types funded is reflective of the foundation’s emphasis on foundational science, translational approaches, and technological innovation. Approximately 76% of grants support basic research—the fundamental biological studies that serve as the bedrock for future therapeutic advances. Around 21% are focused on developing next-generation therapies that hold promise for improved efficacy and safety. An additional 14% are devoted to creating novel diagnostic tools and early intervention strategies, critical for timely and precise treatment. A smaller, but strategically important, subset of 3% is dedicated to pioneering new technologies that will enhance research capabilities and clinical applications.
The grantees form a global cohort, emphasizing the international nature of brain and behavior research. While 82% of recipients are based in the United States, reflecting the country’s robust infrastructure for neuroscience research, the remaining 18% are spread across 13 different countries. This global representation enriches the scientific dialogue and promotes collaborative approaches to tackling universal mental health challenges.
Judith M. Ford, Ph.D., President of BBRF’s Scientific Council and Co-Chair of the Young Investigator Grant Selection Committee, highlights the ambitious objectives these young scientists are pursuing. Their work aims not only to deepen our understanding of illness etiology but also to develop predictive tools and preventive strategies that could transform clinical practice. Such early-career support is vital to ensuring a pipeline of innovative research that continues to push the limits of what is possible.
The foundation’s published booklet for the 2025 grants offers detailed insights into each project, encompassing a broad range of topics including addiction, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, brain biology, childhood and adolescent mental health, eating disorders, prenatal brain development, psychosis, and suicide prevention. This transparency and dissemination of knowledge underscore BBRF’s role as a premier incubator for pioneering studies with the potential for significant impact.
Since its inception in 1987, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation has been a leading force in funding mental health research, having invested over $475 million in more than 5,700 scientists worldwide. What sets BBRF apart is its commitment to ensuring that 100% of every research donated dollar goes directly toward grants, with operating expenses financed separately. This ensures donors’ contributions have maximal impact, empowering scientists to make strides against some of the most challenging neuropsychiatric diseases.
In addition to grantmaking, BBRF actively engages in public education and stigma reduction through initiatives like the Emmy®-nominated television series Healthy Minds with Dr. Jeffrey Borenstein. This series educates the public about mental illness, emphasizing that with appropriate research, interventions, and support, hope for recovery and improved quality of life is within reach.
With the ongoing commitment of visionary early-career scientists, supported by sustained funding and mentorship, the future of mental health research appears poised for accelerative growth. The 2025 Young Investigator class symbolizes a hopeful vanguard aiming to unravel the complexities of brain disorders and deliver innovative solutions to millions worldwide, exemplifying the profound potential of targeted scientific investment.
Subject of Research: Brain and Behavior Disorders; Mental Health Research; Psychiatric and Neuroscience Innovations
Article Title: Brain & Behavior Research Foundation Empowers Next Generation of Mental Health Innovators with $11.4 Million in Seed Funding
News Publication Date: 2024
Web References: https://bbrfoundation.org/sites/default/files/2025-09/2025-yi-booklet.pdf
Keywords: Mental health, brain disorders, depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, addiction, PTSD, bipolar disorder, ADHD, OCD, suicide prevention, induced pluripotent stem cells, neuroscience research, psychiatric research, early-career scientists, translational research
