9 projects awarded at $450K each over three years.
Supporting clinical and translational research focused on a broad spectrum of neuroscience challenges.
Established in 2016, the UCSF Weill Awards support high-risk, high-reward research with the potential to transform the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases.
UCSF Weill Awards seek to fuel innovation in neuroscience by fostering high-need translational research – spanning from the basic sciences to clinical research – through funding of highly meritorious research projects and supporting high-potential neuroscience researchers. Awards are offered on a recurring basis and through a variety of targeted funding programs designed to support neuroscience research at all levels.
By the Numbers: Impact to Date
78
Total Awards Issued to Date
99
Individual Investigators Funded
18
Different Departments Represented
Overview of Award Types
Innovation Awards
2016-2019
Scholar Awards
2016-2017
6 projects awarded at $100K each.
Supporting faculty in the neurosciences conducting innovative research of high patient impact.
Trailblazer Awards
2017-2018
7 projects awarded at $75K per project investigator.
Supporting high-risk, high-reward research focused on a broad spectrum of neuroscience challenges, focused on improved patient outcomes.
Pilot Awards
2019-2020
11 projects awarded at $40K each.
Supporting high-potential junior neuroscience researchers, providing seed-funding of highly meritorious research projects.
Junior Investigator Awards
2021-2022
4 projects awarded at $50K each.
Supporting junior investigators working on a broad spectrum of neuroscience challenges whose research was negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Clinical Neuroscience Research Awards
2022-2024
4 projects awarded at $150K each over two years.
Supporting investigators working on neuroscience challenges directly related to human disease-based research.
Catalyst Awards
2024-2025 | 2025-2026
8 projects awarded in 2024
10 projects awarded in 2025
Projects funded at up to $100K each.
In partnership with UCSF Innovation Ventures, the Weill Institute-Catalyst Awards support promising translational neuroscience projects, providing seed funding and industry advisor mentorship, with the goal to advance projects that could be out-licensed for continued development, or serve as the basis of a start-up company.
Clinician-Scientist Awards
Established in 2021 and awarded annually, Weill Clinician-Scientist Awards provide early career support for outstanding clinicians who have also shown extraordinary potential for careers in brain disease research.
Explore All Research Project Awards
