Precision Mind Prize: French - UK Prize for Research on Biomarkers in Mental Health
→ Applications from November 4, 2025 to January 30, 2026.
Context
Mental disorders represent one of the major public health challenges of the 21st century. Despite significant scientific progress, research in this field remains underfunded relative to the scale of the need.
A new dynamic is now emerging: advances in biological measurement technologies offer the prospect of developing reliable biomarkers to better understand, stratify, and treat mental disorders. Both France and the United Kingdom have robust research infrastructures (cohorts, databases, biobanks, and analytical platforms) that have enabled important preliminary discoveries. These findings now need to be validated and harmonized between countries to lead to concrete clinical applications.
The French - Uk Prize for Research on Biomarkers in Mental Health, “PRECISION MIND,” co-organized by Wakam and the Fondation FondaMental, aims to foster joint innovation between French and British researchers through collaborative projects dedicated to the discovery, validation, and implementation of blood-based biomarkers in mental health. Proposals will be evaluated by an independent Franco-British scientific committee.
Objective of the Prize
The Precision Mind Prize aims to:
- Support the discovery and validation of blood-based biomarkers (omics, immunological, etc.) for stratification or prognosis in mental disorders;
- Promote high-level French - UK scientific cooperation;
- Contribute to the implementation of precision medicine in psychiatry. Projects must demonstrate strong potential for clinical and scientific impact and be based on innovative approaches integrating existing cohorts, advanced analytical tools, and multidisciplinary collaborations.
Eligibility Criteria
- The project must involve at least one laboratory/team/department based in France and one in the UK (academic, hospital, charitable, or private sector).
- The consortium must demonstrate complementary expertise and effective collaboration.
- Eligible themes include the discovery, validation, and/or clinical application of blood-based biomarkers for mental disorders or trans-nosographic dimensions.
- Project leaders (PIs) may submit up to two distinct proposals under this call.
Funding
- A total envelope of €250,000 will be awarded to the two partner laboratories (French and British). The budget will be allocated according to the detailed budget provided in the application.
- Winners will also receive personalized support from the Fondation FondaMental team for communication, valorization, and dissemination of their results.
Submission and Timeline
- Apply directly online by filling out the Precision Mind Prize form.
- Only complete applications will be evaluated.
Timeline:
- Opening: November 4, 2025
- Deadline: January 30, 2026 – 4:00 PM
- Results announcement: Spring 2026, during a dedicated ceremony
Contacts
Scientific and administrative contact: communication@fondation-fondamental.org
→ Read the press release for the Precision Mind Prize
Mandatory Mentions
Winning project leaders commit to acknowledging the Fondation FondaMental and Wakam in all communications, publications, or scientific dissemination related to the funded project.
