THE MCKNIGHT ENDOWMENT FUND FOR NEUROSCIENCE
Annual Giving
$3.4M+5% YoY
Grants
45
Median Grant
$75K
Organizations Funded
35
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Foundation Overview
Mission
The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience supports innovative research through competitive annual awards that seek out investigators whose research shows promise in bringing society closer to preventing, treating, and curing many devastating diseases; Research supported by the Endowment Fund has furthered understanding of impairments such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injuries, and many others
Focus Areas
Grant Types
Funded Initiatives
2025 McKnight Scholar Awards: Ten neuroscientists selected, each receives $75,000 per year for three years. 2025 Neurobiology of Brain Disorders Awards: Four projects selected, total award is $300,000 paid in equal installments of $100,000 in 2026, 2027, and 2028. Since 1977, the Scholar Award has funded 291 innovative investigators. McKnight granted over $145 million in 2024.
How to Apply
Two-stage selection process beginning with a letter of intent (LOI). Submit a two-page LOI describing how the McKnight award would permit new approaches toward the development of translational research. The letter should clearly describe how the proposed research will uncover mechanisms of brain injury or diseases and how it will translate to diagnosis, prevention, treatment, or cure. The selection committee will review LOIs and invite selected applicants to submit full proposals. Contact Joel Krogstad at jkrogstad@mcknight.org with questions.
Does Not Fund
Scientists holding titles such as research professor, adjunct professor, professor research track, visiting professor, instructor, or research assistant professor are not eligible. Intramural employees at institutions like the Allen Institute, National Institutes of Health, Howard Hughes Medical Institute and similar institutions may not apply for Memory and Cognitive Disorders Awards. Must be at not-for-profit institutions within the United States.
Based on publicly available information from the foundation's 990 filings and website.
Giving History
$3.4M
Grants
45
Median
$75K
States
17
$3.2M
Grants
42
Median
$75K
States
17
$3.1M
Grants
36
Median
$75K
States
16
Grant Size Distribution
$75K
Typical Grant (Median)
$17K
Smallest
$75K
25th Pctile
$100K
75th Pctile
$110K
Largest
Excludes grants ≤ $5K. Half fall between $75K and $100K.
Largest Recent Grants
$110K
2024
Northwestern University
IL · Funds Transferred from Van Andel. Regulation mechanism of thermosensitive receptors in nervous system. Principal Investigator: Juan Du, Ph.D.
$100K
2024
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
WA · Adipocyte-brain mitochondrial signaling and its impacts on brain function. Principal Investigator: Akhila Rajan,Ph.D.
$100K
2024
Mass General Brigham Incorporated
MA · The Neurobiology of Glioma: Understanding Malignant Neural Circuits Instructing Tumor Growth. Principal Investigator: Humsa Venkatesh,Ph.D.
$100K
2024
Carnegie Mellon University
PA · Investigating Circuits and Mechanisms that Support Long-Lasting Recovery of Movement in Dopamine Depleted Mice. Principal Investigator: Aryn Gittis, Ph.D.
$100K
2024
Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine
IL · Dissecting the Gut-brain Dynamics Underlying Anorexia. Principal Investigator: Lisa Beutler
Geographic Focus
Top states by total grant dollars. Based on IRS filing data.
Financial Overview
Grants paid shown as percentage of total assets
Data sourced from IRS 990 and 990-PF filings and publicly available foundation websites. Grant data, financial figures, and organizational details reflect historical filings and may not represent current operations or funding priorities. Verify directly with the foundation before applying. See an issue? Let us know.