The Prize

The world’s largest brain research prize is Danish and is awarded by the Lundbeck Foundation. Each year, we award 10 million DKK (approx. 1,3 million €) to one or more brain researchers who have had a ground-breaking impact on brain research. The prize and associated activities are at the very forefront of the Lundbeck Foundation’s ambitions to make Denmark the world’s leading brain research nation. The Brain Prize is an international prize and can be awarded to researchers from all over the world.

The idea of an ambitious and prestigious brain research prize was hatched in the Lundbeck Foundation’boardroom in 2010. The Brain Prize was awarded for the first time the following year, and in only a few years the Prize has become known as the most distinguished brain research prize in the world.
The Brain Prize also forges invaluable ties. The winners are required to make themselves available to Danish brain research in the year after the award and this gives Danish brain researchers the opportunity to generate networks and learn from international top scientists.

Over the past years there have been 100 candidates for The Brain Prize. All candidates are nominated by their colleagues. An international selection committee recommends its choice to Lundbeckfonden’s board of directors, which then makes the final decision.