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Now accepting nominations for $50,000 Eisenberg Research Prize
Julie Perez
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The Eisenberg Family Depression Center is officially seeking nominations for the 2026 Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Research Prize. This prestigious $50,000 award honors a world-renowned scientist whose work has fundamentally shifted our understanding of mental health and well-being.
The prize is uniquely designed to celebrate those who go beyond the lab, successfully translating scientific discoveries into real-world policies and practices. Because the award is unrestricted, the recipient has full discretion to use the funds to fuel the next phase of their research program, whether that means launching a pilot study, purchasing new equipment, or supporting interdisciplinary collaboration.
Recognizing breakthrough research in mental health and well-being
Beyond scientific rigor, the committee seeks evidence of innovative strategies, strong partnerships across disciplines, and translational impact.
"We are seeking to honor a scientific pioneer who has driven transformative discoveries that have advanced our understanding of depression and mental health and fundamentally changed lives with their research," said Srijan Sen, M.D., Ph.D., director of the Eisenberg Family Depression Center, and the Frances and Kenneth Eisenberg Professor of Depression and Neurosciences.
International and self-nominations are welcome. The nominee must hold an M.D., Ph.D., other terminal degree, or equivalent international degree, and be affiliated with an academic or clinical research institution. Past winners include:
- Helen S. Mayberg, M.D., founding director of The Nash Family Center for Advanced Circuit Therapeutics, Mount Sinai Health System
- Kerry J. Ressler, M.D., Ph.D., chief scientific officer and Patricia Poitras Chair in Psychiatry at McLean Hospital, and professor of psychiatry, Harvard Medical School
- Karl Deisseroth, M.D., Ph.D., D.H. Chen Professor of Bioengineering and of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University.
Nominations due May 1
All nominations will be submitted via email and are due May 1, 2026. The prize will be disbursed at an in-person award ceremony in Ann Arbor in early November 2026.