The Morgan Stanley Children’s Mental Health Innovation Awards 2027 support U.S.-based nonprofit organizations developing innovative solutions for children’s mental health. The programme provides seed funding, recognition, networking, and learning opportunities for selected organizations. Applications are open through July 24, 2026 at 11:59pm ET.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: Children’s Mental Health Innovation Awards
Category: Award and Grant Opportunity
Organizer: Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health
Country: United States
Eligible Applicants: U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities
Application Opens: June 8, 2026
Application Deadline: July 24, 2026 at 11:59pm ET
Total Grant Support: Up to $550,000
Award Categories: Innovation Awards and Next Gen Innovation Awards
About the Children’s Mental Health Innovation Awards
The Children’s Mental Health Innovation Awards aim to seed fund transformative mental healthcare solutions for children across the United States.
The programme helps address the lack of investment in youth mental health. It also connects innovative ideas with capital and supports nonprofit capacity-building.
The awards are part of the Morgan Stanley Alliance for Children’s Mental Health. The initiative focuses on identifying and advancing new ways to address mental illness in children and young adults.
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Award Categories
The 2027 programme includes two award categories.
Innovation Awards
The Innovation Awards provide $100,000 each. This category is open to eligible U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities with annual total revenue under $5 million.
Next Gen Innovation Awards
The Next Gen Innovation Awards provide $25,000 to $50,000 each. This category is open to eligible nonprofits founded and/or led by leaders under 32 years old.
Next Gen applicants must also have more than two years in operation.
What Selected Organizations Receive
The programme provides grants and additional support to selected organizations.
✓ Seed funding for selected nonprofit projects
✓ $100,000 for each Innovation Award winner
✓ $25,000 to $50,000 for each Next Gen Innovation Award winner
✓ Recognition through Morgan Stanley’s global communications channels
✓ Opportunities to raise the organization’s profile
✓ Networking with peers and relevant stakeholders
✓ Leadership training from industry experts
✓ Possible invitation to the Leadership Learning Series
The official FAQ states that grants are made on a one-time basis. Funds go directly to the proposed project and do not cover institutional overhead costs not directly related to the project.
Leadership Learning Series
Select applicants may be invited to join the Leadership Learning Series.
This is a virtual series of expert-led learning sessions and networking opportunities. It is designed to support organizational growth, capacity-building, and effectiveness.
Session topics may vary. Past topics have included funding strategy, impact measurement, decision-making, partnerships, and collaborations.
The official FAQ states that only winners receive a grant. Leadership Learning Series participants receive in-kind support.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to registered 501(c)(3) public charities based in the United States.
Eligible organizations must meet the following requirements:
• Be a U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charity
• Have annual total revenue under $5 million
• Submit a new or piloted project connected to children’s mental health
• Submit only one application per organization
Nonprofits with annual total revenue over $5 million are not eligible.
International organizations are not eligible to apply.
Eligible Projects
Morgan Stanley is looking for new or piloted projects from direct-service organizations. The projects should help address stress, anxiety, depression, or other mental health issues in children and young adults in the United States.
Projects must address specific issues and unmet needs.
Eligible project goals may include:
• Educating the public
• Reducing stigma
• Increasing access to care
• Enabling early identification or prevention
• Enhancing intervention
• Fostering peer support
• Strengthening social connection
• Supporting disadvantaged and vulnerable populations
A proposed project may be national, regional, or local in scope. The programme is especially interested in projects that may be replicated or scaled to benefit children and youth in broader communities.
Next Gen Category Requirements
The Next Gen category has additional eligibility conditions.
Applicants in this category must:
• Be a 501(c)(3) public charity or be fiscally sponsored by one
• Have annual total revenue under $5 million
• Have a founder or leader under 32 years old
• Have more than two years in operation
The Next Gen leader must be the head of the organization. This may include a founder, CEO, Executive Director, Board Chair, or equivalent role.
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Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed by a panel of experts in the mental health and grantmaking fields.
The official selection criteria are equally weighted.
• Innovation: The application must present an inventive solution for addressing unmet needs in children’s mental healthcare, especially among disadvantaged and vulnerable populations.
• Expertise: The application should outline executable services informed and/or delivered by mental health professionals, including related expertise and evidence-based models.
• Impact: The application should include measurable deliverables, a clear evaluation model, and measurable outcomes for improving children’s mental wellbeing.
• Potential: The application should show the feasibility of replicating or scaling the proposed service to benefit children in broader communities.
Applicants may be asked to provide additional information on their organization and proposed project during the review process.
Pro Bono Consulting Opportunities
For the 2027 programme, Morgan Stanley may explore potential pro bono consulting opportunities for a select group of applicants.
This support would depend on volunteer skillsets and availability. It is intended to help nonprofit organizations address strategic questions that may support their mission and increase their impact.
Eligible organizations may indicate interest in potential pro bono consulting through the application form.
To be eligible for this potential support, organizations must:
• Be U.S.-based 501(c)(3) public charities
• Have annual total revenue of $1 million to $5 million
• Have more than two years in operation
The official FAQ states that indicating interest does not guarantee volunteer availability or pro bono services.
Key Dates
• Application opens: June 8, 2026
• Briefing webinar: June 23, 2026 at 12:00pm ET
• Application closes: July 24, 2026 at 11:59pm ET
• Applicants notified about status and winners announced: Spring 2027
How to Submit an Application
Applicants must submit the application through the official application platform.
Before applying, organizations should review the official FAQ, confirm eligibility, prepare project details, and ensure the proposed project fits the programme’s focus on children’s mental health.
Only one application may be submitted per organization.
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application link below.
