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The Foundation of Hope funds groundbreaking mental illness research projects that explore the biological, neurological and genetic bases of mental illness and forge paths to improved diagnosis and treatment.

Through its seed grant funding model, the Foundation awards relatively small grants—typically between $50,000 and $60,000, but even up to $200,000 for impact grants—to qualifying researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Department of Psychiatry. Each project functions much the same as a startup business: a small, but promising idea that needs an initial investment to grow.

Having proved their mettle, many Foundation-backed projects receive thousands or millions of dollars in subsequent investment from private organizations and the National Institute of Health.

News

June 2025

As part of its continued commitment to advancing mental health research, Foundation of Hope has awarded thirteen new research grants totaling over $1.35 million to investigators in the Department of Psychiatry at UNC. This is the most significant single-year investment in scientific research since the Foundation’s inception. FOH awarded the 2025 grants to (click any researcher to learn more):

Read the full press release (published prior to 13th research grant being awarded).

June 2024

In the biggest effort to date, the Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness (FOH) will award $1,007,760 in research grants to eleven investigators in the Department of Psychiatry at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The innovative research funded by the FOH could lead to breakthroughs in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, improving the lives and livelihoods of those who suffer:

Read the full press release.

June 2023

The Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness will award over $987,000 for fourteen research grants at the Department of Psychiatry at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in its continuing efforts to mitigate the devastating effects of mental illness:

Read the full press release.

May 2022

The Foundation of Hope for Research and Treatment of Mental Illness will award over $478,000 for eight research grants at the Department of Psychiatry at The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in its continuing efforts to mitigate the devastating effects of mental illness:

Press release coming soon.