MISSION
The Pershing Square Foundation bets on innovative leaders solving humanity’s big societal, environmental, and health challenges.
ABOUT US
The Pershing Square Foundation (PSF) was established in 2006. Since then, Pershing Square Philanthropies, which includes The Pershing Square Foundation, has committed more than $930 million in grants and investments in target areas including health and life sciences, education, economic development and innovation.
By investing in pioneering individuals, non-profits and mission driven companies who dare to re-imagine the possible, we have helped to bring about important breakthroughs — from cancer research and small-scale agriculture to criminal justice reform and educational opportunities for young people in communities — around the world.
PROGRAMS
The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance was formed in 2013 by PSF, which has since committed more than $58 million to 90 scientists, in partnership with The Sohn Conference Foundation. The Alliance is dedicated to playing a catalytic role in accelerating cures for cancer by supporting innovative cancer research and by facilitating collaborations between academia and industry. Annually, the Alliance awards the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize ($750,000 over three years) to early-career scientists who are engaged in cutting-edge cancer research. Scientists must be based as academic research institutions (or equivalent) in the USA. For more information, visit our website here.
2027 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize Application Guidelines(forthcoming)
The application portal for the 2027 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize has not yet opened. The portal will open on Monday, September 21, 2026. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is Monday, October 26, 2026 by 5:00pm ET.
If you have any questions regarding the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize, please contact us at info@psscra.org.
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The MIND (Maximizing Innovation in Neuroscience Discovery) Prize ($750,000 over three years) supports and empowers early-to-mid-career investigators to rethink conventional paradigms around neurodegenerative diseases (NDDs). Modeled after the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize, the MIND Prize catalyzes interdisciplinary approaches and facilitate collaborations across academic departments and institutions. It fuels the groundbreaking research that will accelerate our understanding of NDDs at every level.
Projects may range from the invention of novel tools, techniques, and technologies for mapping and analyzing the brain to bold approaches that demonstrate extraordinary therapeutic potential. Research domains may include—but are not limited to—neurobiology, brain imaging and mapping, machine learning, drug delivery, and synthetic biology. Researchers must be based as academic research institutions in the USA. For more information, visit our website here.
2027 MIND Prize Application Guidelines(forthcoming)
The application portal for the 2027 MIND Prize has not yet opened. We will begin to accept applications on Monday, August 17, 2026. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is Monday, September 21, 2026 by 5:00pm ET.
If you have any questions regarding the MIND Prize, please contact us at info@MINDPrize.org.
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Through the Lotus Award ($750,000 over three years) for Ovarian Cancer Research, PSF is looking for investigators who are either already working on a promising project in ovarian cancer or in another type of cancer that could have an impact on ovarian cancer.
Researchers who are not studying ovarian cancer are encouraged to apply and required to find a collaborator with experience in ovarian cancer research. This award aims to (1) inspire investigators with unique expertise to apply their knowledge to ovarian cancer and (2) empower ovarian cancer researchers to pursue their boldest, most innovative ideas. Facing a disease where too few have survived to-date, PSF ultimately aims to create a culture around ovarian cancer that offers women hope, akin to the breast cancer community. PSF is passionate about changing outcomes for tens of thousands of women a year and is hopeful that future scientific discoveries will allow for more survivors who can share their stories for years to come.
2027 Lotus Award Application Guidelines (forthcoming)
The application portal for the 2027 Lotus Award has not yet opened. We will begin to accept applications on Monday, January 4th, 2027. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is Monday, February 1st, 2027 by 5:00pm ET.