Cross-disciplinary teams transforming our understanding of the brain
Big Ideas are the Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute's flagship research projects. Our goal is to incentivize cross-disciplinary teams working on important neuroscience and to keep the Big Ideas program alive and evolving.
The Institute currently funds five phase 2 Big Ideas initiatives, which were selected after rigorous review of eleven, two-year phase 1 pilot projects. These outstanding teams receive enhanced funding support for up to five years. Each initiative represents a big idea that could have a large impact on how we understand the brain, is driven by a highly interdisciplinary team, and has demonstrated success and progress in phase 1.
Applying for Big Ideas Grants
Big Ideas grant applications are currently closed. Stay tuned for announcements about our next call for letters of intent.
Big Ideas Award Announcements
Round 2, Phase 2 - Two Funded Projects
Jun 1, 2021 - Toolmakers aim to untangle fundamental challenges in neuroscience
Round 2, Phase 1 - Four Funded Projects
SEP 26, 2018 - Stanford Neurosciences Institute announces the second round of Big Ideas
Round 1, Phase 2 - Three Funded Projects
Feb 8, 2017 - Stanford neuroscientists take their Big Ideas on decision-making, neurotechnology and brain rejuvenation to the next level
Round 1, Phase 1 - Seven Funded Projects
Oct 2, 2014 - Public policies for addiction, smarter prosthetics and stroke among the Big Ideas tackled by Stanford neuroscientists
