Welcome to the Mental Health Innovation and Novel Discovery (MIND) Fund Portal

About the MIND Fund 

The MIND Fund is a funding program designed to accelerate innovative, technology-enabled projects that advance the mission of the CU Anschutz Mental Health Collaborative. 

The MIND Fund supports research, development, and implementation of novel solutions that address pressing mental health challenges in Colorado, and beyond. The goal is to catalyze measurable improvements in mental health outcomes by fostering innovation, encouraging cross-disciplinary collaboration, and supporting projects with strong potential for scalability and sustainability. 

Funding Purpose 

The MIND Fund serves as a catalyst for translational and applied mental health innovation. Projects supported through this fund are expected to: 

  • Address critical gaps in mental health care delivery or outcomes  
  • Leverage innovation, technology, or novel approaches 
  • Demonstrate potential for real-world impact and scalability 
  • Contribute to the long-term sustainability of mental health solutions 

Priority consideration will be given to projects aligned with the CU Anschutz Mental Health Collaborative, including: 

  • Pediatric Care Integration
  • Pediatric Suicide Prevention 
  • Care Integration (Clinical Excellence) - Innovation solutions related to integration of BH in primary/specialty ambulatory settings
  • First Responders and Co-Response Community Interventions - Developing, evaluating, and scaling innovative, evidence-based solutions that improve the mental health, resilience, and readiness of first responders and military medics through technology, education, implementation science, and community partnerships
  • Rocky Mountain Prevention Center (School Community Interventions) - Pilot projects that bring innovative mental health promotion strategies directly into school communities (pre-K - 12th grade) 
  • Novel Therapeutics (Neuromodulation) - Explore and expand applications of precision neuromodulation to include neuropsychiatric efficacies or linking neuromodulation approaches to mental or cognitive health.
  • Injury and Violence Prevention Center - Innovative approaches to  education (including PSAs or outreach) and technology/engineering (including firearm or medication lockboxes)

Award Amounts 

Applicants may request funding ranging from: 

  • $25,000–$300,000 per project 

Award amounts should be commensurate with the scope, readiness, and goals of the proposed work. 

Eligibility 

The MIND Fund is open to all CU Anschutz faculty researchers, across disciplines and schools. The applicant must be an eligible principal investigator.  

Projects may include, but are not limited to: 

  • Translational research 
  • Technology and informatics solutions 
  • Novel therapeutics or interventions 
  • Care delivery redesign 
  • Cross-disciplinary or collaborative initiatives 

Partnerships with internal and external collaborators are encouraged where appropriate. 

Application Cycles 

The MIND Fund will biannual funding cycles for 5 years: 

  • Summer 2026 Cycle – The first round of applications are due at 5pm on Friday, March 13, 2026, and will be selected by June 1, 2026. Funding expected to be deployed in July 2026.  
  • Winter 2027 Cycle – The second round of applications are due at 5pm on Monday, August 31st, 2026. Successful applications will be selected by December 1, 2026. Funding expected to be deployed in January 2027.
  • Future dates for subsequent cycles will be announced towards the end of the previous cycle but generally will follow the schedule above each year.

Additional ad hoc or opportunistic funding calls may be announced as appropriate. 

Review Process 

Applications will be reviewed through a structured peer and program review process. Review criteria include: 

  • Alignment with MIND Fund objectives, but not limited to them 
  • Scientific merit and innovation 
  • Feasibility and execution readiness 
  • Potential impact on mental health outcomes 
  • Scalability, sustainability, and return on investment (ROI) 

If BBICen or AMHC affiliated researchers (e.g. AMHC Pillar Leads) apply for MIND Funds, this will be identified and reviewed for Conflict of Interest by the Innovations Managing Director and the BBICen Executive Director. If there is any identified or opportunity for perceived conflict of interest, these projects will follow the additional scientific review process: 

  • The Department of Psychiatry’s Executive Vice Chair will perform the scientific review and identify an additional subject matter expert (SME) in the content area for an independent review. 
  • The Department of Psychiatry’s Executive Vice Chair will participate with the Innovations Managing Director and the BBICen Executive Director in the preliminary recommendations for the funding review panel. 
  • When presenting to the funding review panel, the conflict of interest and this additional process will be shared with the panel. 

Final funding decisions are made following panel review and leadership approval. 

How to Apply 

Applications must be submitted through this portal by the stated deadline for each funding cycle. 

Questions: gali.baler@cuanschutz.edu