Each year IMHRO solicits research proposals from the best and brightest young brain scientists to better understand how to treat one or more of the "Big 3" brain diseases: schizophrenia, depression and bipolar disorder. The awards emphasize innovative strategies and technologies for illuminating basic mechanisms of psychiatric illness and new approaches to individualized treatment and prevention. Winners of the selection process receive an award of $250,000 to fund their project, given over up to 3 years. This is IMHRO's primary means of finding and funding the most promising leading-edge programs. In five years it has already become a top award for schizophrenia research, bipolar research and depression research.

Past awardees have included Dr. Linda Brustowicz of Rutgers University, Dr. Eva Anton of University of North Carolina, Dr. Akira Sawa of Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Schahram Akbarian of University of Massachusetts, Dr. Andrew Pieper of University of Texas Southwestern, Dr. Francis Lee of Weill Cornell Medical College, and Dr. Hongjun Song of Johns Hopkins. Every "Rising Star" winner from 2004-2007 has used their award funding to make discoveries which have inspired the National Institute for Mental Health to give them follow-on grants to expand their programs.

If you are a scientist, now is your time to apply. The due date to apply for the 2010 Rising Star Awards is March 15, 2010.

For more information on the Rising Star Awards, please contact Cindy Dyar.