2024 Hopewell Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery (M.I.N.D.) Prize

Eligibility

The Hopewell M.I.N.D. Prize will be awarded to a team consisting of a Post-Doctoral Fellow and a full HBI member (Principal Investigator) who collectively possesses a demonstrably strong, career-level appropriate, track record/level of expertise in the area of study. The important role played by the research team including other researchers and research staff is recognized and should be acknowledged in the application; however, the Prize will be made to the Post-Doctoral Fellow and HBI Principal Investigator responsible for developing and advancing the research.  

Principal Investigators who are not currently Full Members of the HBI may submit an Expression of Interest, however, they will have to apply and receive Full Membership in the HBI prior to submission of the full application.

Additionally, the Fellow must be offered and accept a fellowship position (or equivalent) in the laboratory of the full HBI Member, and conduct their research at UCalgary with oversight by the HBI Member. For a list of full HBI members please visit our directory here. A spreadsheet organized with full members and area of study is located here.

The HBI Director, HBI Deputy Director, M.I.N.D. Prize judges, and any content experts involved in the review process are not eligible to apply to the Prize in the competition year.

Summary

The Hopewell M.I.N.D. Prize (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) was created through a generous $10M philanthropic commitment from Mr. Sanders Lee to the Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI). Mr. Lee, the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Hopewell® Group of Companies is a visionary leader who embraces the idea of technology and science for the betterment of society.

This prize will serve as a catalyst to launch innovative, bold, high-impact research projects in brain and mental health at the University of Calgary. The Hopewell M.I.N.D. Prize – unique in Canada – offers up to $1 million per year for the next ten years to fund research projects that are “ahead of the curve." These projects would be at a critical crossroads where an injection of funding has the potential to transform the project into significant community impact.

The Prize will be determined by the most impactful research project, based on the following principles. The project:

1. is highly innovative in its objectives and proposed approach in an area of Brain and Mental Health research;
2. shows potential to create a significant, transformative impact in one or more of the following ways:
   i. to our foundational knowledge of the brain and/or leads to highly significant clinical advancement;
   ii. contributes to the HBI’s innovation and translational objectives;
   iii. in the areas of scientific insight, public policy and future health care services and/or innovation;
   iv. across the HBI, the local community, Canada and the world.
3. enhances the stated research, educational and career objectives of the Post Doctoral Fellow.

Expenditures

Allowable expenditures include salary support for the Post-doctoral Fellow, other trainees and research staff, appropriate relocation costs for Post-doctoral Fellow, support for direct research costs related to the project, community engagement, or innovation activity related to the research project.

The named Post-doctoral Fellow who is part of the M.I.N.D. Prize Team is guaranteed a minimum $75,000 + benefits annual salary for the first two years of the award, with an increase to $80,000 minimum annual salary in year 3 and onwards.

The named fellow may also apply for and secure additional external awards, subject to approval by the external funding agency. Success in securing an external award will reduce the salary contribution from the M.I.N.D. Prize subject to the above minimum salaries.

The named fellow will be ineligible for any other HBI fellowship awards during the term of the M.I.N.D. Prize award.

Important Dates

Expression of Interest Form Deadline: March 22, 2024 at 4 pm MT
Full Application Deadline: May 31, 2024 at 4 pm MT
Selection of finalists: Early September 2024
Decision Date: October/November 2024

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

Application deadlines

Expression of Interest Form Deadline:

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Application Documents

• Expression of Interest Form
• Application Form

Please email hbi@ucalgary.ca if you have additional questions.