Children’s Mental Health Innovation Awards
Our program aims to seed fund transformative mental healthcare solutions for children across the U.S. It helps address the lack of investment in youth mental health, connect innovative ideas with capital, and build capacity for nonprofits.
“The Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health was created to address a serious and growing problem for the next generation. With the Innovation Awards, we hope to further this goal by identifying and advancing new, impactful ways to help address mental illness in children and young adults.”
— Ted Pick
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Morgan Stanley and Chair, Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health Advisory Board
2026 Winners
Learn more about the game-changing work being done to support children’s mental health.
2026 Next Gen Winners
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The Defensive Line (2:01)
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Lay Mental Health Advocates (2:11)
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Letters to Strangers (2:21)
2026 Winners
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NoSo Connection Collective (2:02)
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Only7Seconds (2:18)
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Project:Camp (2:16)
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Project Sanctuary (2:38)
About the 2027 Program
This initiative invites U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities with an annual total revenue under $5 million to submit innovative ideas for advancing children’s mental health.
There are two award categories:
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Innovation Awards ($100,000 each) – open to all eligible nonprofits
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Next Gen Innovation Awards ($25,000–$50,000 each) – open to nonprofits founded and/or led by leaders under 32 years old, with more than two years in operation
Up to $550,000 in grants are provided, and select applicants are invited to join the Leadership Learning Series. View FAQs for more information.
What Winners Receive
| Benefit | Description |
|---|---|
| Funding | Winners receive seed funding |
| Recognition | Winners raise their profile and showcase their program |
| Networking | Winners learn from peers and build powerful connections |
| Learning | Select applicants receive expert-led leadership training |
