Mental Research Institute
The Mental Research Institute (MRI) is a Menlo Park, CA nonprofit that funds research advancing interactional/systemic approaches to human relationships and offers project grants (typically up to $25K). Its official site (https://mri.org) provides grant guidelines and a Submittable application, contact details (671 Oak Grove Ave, Menlo Park; [email protected]), a leadership/staff page, and an active blog with 2026 posts.
Source: Website · Mar 2026
Ideal Applicant
A research team or university lab focused on interactional/systemic approaches to human relationships offering a clearly defined pilot or research project with measurable outcomes and a budget in the $10K–$30K range.
Good Fit
- • Project is academic or rigorous applied research on relationships, families, or emotion regulation.
- • Clear research design and measurable outcomes suitable for a one- to two-year pilot.
- • Budget aligned with typical awards (~$25K).
- • Institutional affiliation (university, research institute) or experienced PI.
- • Timely submission through the foundation’s Submittable portal with required materials.
Geography
The latest year’s grants reached recipients in 12 states, with about three quarters of funding going outside the foundation’s home state, indicating a national multi-state footprint.
Recipient Variety
The latest year shows 20 distinct recipients (20 grants) composed largely of independent universities and research organizations, and only two repeat recipients across three years, which indicates a broad and varied recipient set for this funder’s size.
New Applicants
Direct evidence of openness includes a public Submittable application, a contact email, rolling submissions, and a high new-recipient rate in 2024 (18 of 20 new grantees); however, the funder also formally notes a preselection policy, so evidence is mixed but leans toward genuine access for unfamiliar applicants.
Source: Zeffy Agent · Mar 2026
