Washington, D.C. – August 17, 2022 – The Baszucki Brain Research Fund and the Milken Institute’s Center for Strategic Philanthropy today announced the launch of the Metabolic Mind Award Program, recognizing champions working at the intersection of metabolism and mental health in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry. This year’s award focus will be on Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for mental health.
The Fund intends to honor up to ten individuals with a one-time award of $100,000 to recognize exceptional commitment to advancing Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for neuropsychiatric conditions. Awards will be given to trailblazers in their respective fields primarily engaged in treating patients, developing training programs, conducting observational research, writing, speaking, teaching, storytelling, advocating, and otherwise building awareness around carbohydrate-restricted ketogenic interventions in mental health.
For decades, mental health clinicians in the emerging field of Metabolic Psychiatry have been employing carbohydrate-restricted ketogenic therapy for a wide range of mental health conditions. These interventions, with 100 years of evidence in epilepsy, work to improve mental health by reprogramming metabolism and restoring equilibrium in the brain.
The Baszucki Brain Research Fund recently announced support for clinical and mechanistic trials to further the scientific evidence for ketogenic metabolic therapies for depression, bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. With the new Metabolic Mind Award Program, the Baszucki Brain Research Fund will support individuals who, outside academic research, are furthering these powerful and currently available interventions for mental health.
Jan Ellison Baszucki, who established the Baszucki Brain Research Fund with her husband, David Baszucki, founder and CEO of Roblox Corporation, added: “Our own family’s journey is testament to the profound impact of the remarkable individuals who are paving the way for the spread of Ketogenic Metabolic Therapy for mental illness. We are pleased that this year’s Metabolic Mind Awards will honor their efforts in creating a multiplier effect that has the power to change the lives of millions of people battling mental illness.”
The Metabolic Mind Award Program is designed to complement the Baszucki Family Foundation’s existing grant programs for academic research. Although it is expected that some awardees will be affiliated with research centers, the Metabolic Mind Awards are specifically designed to reward efforts beyond academic research studies. Award applications from individuals around the world are invited. Applications with collaborators or applications from organizations will not be accepted. Eligible awardees will include but are not limited to educators, clinicians, advocates and writers.
Applications are due September 12, 2022. Awardees will be announced in the Fall of 2022. Inquiries should be directed to metabolicmindaward@milkeninstitute.org.
To learn more about the Metabolic Mind Award Program, visit: https://milkeninstitute.org/programs/advancing-medical-solutions/metabolic-mind-award
Media Contact:
Mala Persaud, mpersaud@milkeninstitute.org, 202-841-9336
Angela Landers, angela.landers@gmmb.com
About the Baszucki Brain Research Fund
The Baszucki Brain Research Fund, part of Baszucki Group, was launched in 2020 by Roblox founder and CEO David Baszucki and best-selling author Jan Ellison Baszucki. The Fund invests in innovative science and technologies to advance the prevention and treatment of bipolar disorder and other mental health conditions. It aims to fight stigma by catalyzing research and advancements in clinical care, with a focus on metabolic neuroscience, metabolic psychiatry and ketogenic interventions for mental health. Metabolic Mind is a new nonprofit initiative incubated by Baszucki Group that is working to bring resources and build community in the emerging field of metabolic psychiatry.
About the Milken Institute
The Milken Institute is a nonprofit, nonpartisan think tank that helps people build meaningful lives in which they can experience health and well-being, pursue effective education and gainful employment, and access the resources required to create ever-expanding opportunities for themselves and their broader communities. For more information, visit https://milkeninstitute.org/
About the Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy
The Milken Institute Center for Strategic Philanthropy advises individuals and foundations seeking to develop and implement transformational giving strategies. In addition, we provide resources and leadership to make the philanthropic landscape more effective. Our vision is for a more effective philanthropic ecosystem where dollars are spent strategically, donors realize the impact they seek, and people and the planet thrive. Visit http://philanthropy.milkeninstitute.org/