UCSF Weill Awards

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

64
Total Awards Issued to Date

80
Individual Investigators Funded

17
Different Departments Represented


Overview of Award Types

Innovation Awards
2016-2019

Nine projects awarded at $450K each over three years.

Supporting clinical and translational research focused on a broad spectrum of neuroscience challenges.

 

Scholar Awards
2016-2017

Six projects awarded at $100K each.

Supporting faculty in the neurosciences conducting innovative research of high patient impact.

 

Trailblazer Awards
2017-2018

Seven 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

Eleven projects awarded at $40K each. 

Supporting high-potential junior neuroscience researchers, providing seed-funding of highly meritorious research projects.

 

Junior Investigator Awards
2021-2022

Four 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 

Four 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

Eight 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.

 

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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.
 

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Explore All Research Project Awards