T. Boone Picken's Generous $12.5M USD Gift
Supporting next-gen brain and mental health research.
Celebrating T. Boone Pickens’ legacy
Texas oil magnate and philanthropist T. Boone Pickens shared a long friendship with Harley Hotchkiss, founding donor and namesake of the Cumming School of Medicine’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI). UCalgary is tremendously grateful for Mr. Pickens’ visionary philanthropic leadership. The USD $12.5M gift will build on the success of The Boone Pickens Centre for Neurological Science and Advanced Technologies, which delivered critical new spaces for research, training, and treatment at the Cumming School of Medicine’s Hotchkiss Brain Institute (HBI). The new program will power bright ideas and strong new HBI leaders through transformative and sustainable funding streams.
HBI launches plan for multi-million dollar legacy gift. Read the story here.
Innovation Program Components
International Recruitment and Training
We are bringing brilliant new minds to HBI to become tomorrow’s neuroscience leaders, empowering them with skills and opportunities that match their passion through recruitment, training, fellowship and scholarship support for promising trainees (including international trainees).
Supporting Emerging Leaders
We are encouraging high-risk, high-reward research by recruiting and supporting early career investigators who are emerging leaders in neuroscience research innovation.
Fueling Innovation
We are connecting our innovators to expertise, training, and resources to support innovation and entrepreneurial thinking, building and ecosystem to accelerate UCalgary neuroscience innovations toward global impact.
International Recruitment and Training
Equipping trainees, with funding, entrepreneurial skills, networks, and mentorship to lead solutions for brain and mental health challenges and enhance readiness for diverse career pathways.
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Scholarships and Fellowships
The T. Boone Pickens Emerging Leaders Graduate Scholarship and Postdoctoral Fellowship reflect the commitment of the T. Boone Pickens Estate to supporting innovation in foundational and translational research training.
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Experiential Learning & Funding Opportunities
A comprehensive compilation of internship, innovation, and experiential learning programs to support career development for students and trainees - both on campus and through external partners.
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Innovation & Entrepreneurship Curriculum
Comprehensive, health-science-focused curriculum, including workshops, training, and events, that shift mindsets from researcher or clinician to entrepreneurial innovator.
Our first Lunch & Learns start May 2026.
Supporting Emerging Leaders
Accelerating groundbreaking discoveries and high-potential, early-stage research through strategic recruitment, training, funding, and recognition.
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Research support
Recruitment and start-up support for innovative early-career HBI researchers who are driving neuroscience innovation to combat global challenges.
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Showcasing Innovation
Dedicated engagement and outreach activities celebrating our innovators, in conjunction with other flagship HBI innovation initiatives such as the Hopewell M.I.N.D Prize.
Fueling Innovation
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UCeed Neuro initial investment
USD $2.25M from T. Boone Pickens' gift was invested in the UCeed Neuro fund launch. UCeed Neuro provides investment and mentorship to early-stage, research-based, brain and mental health startups.
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Ecosystem Resource Database
The Cumming School of Medicine (CSM) Innovation & Commercialization (I&C) Office has curated a database of over 350 resources to support CSM Students, Faculty, and Staff bringing their health research to market.
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Innovation & Entrepreneurship Curriculum
Comprehensive, health-science-focused curriculum, including workshops, training, and events, that shift mindsets from researcher or clinician to entrepreneurial innovator.
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Evolve to Innovate (e2i) Program
In partnership with the Hunter Hub for Entrepreneurial Thinking, HBI-affiliated innovators will receive special access to a new cohort of the Evolve to Innovate (e2i) program.
Stay tuned for updates when applications open!
Contact
Questions?
Dr. Lian Willetts, HBI Innovation Director
Email: lian.willetts@ucalgary.ca
Adrienna Doerksen, HBI Program Manager
Email: adrienna.doerksen@ucalgary.ca
Leave a lasting legacy
The University of Calgary Legacy Society celebrates individuals who have included UCalgary in their estate plans. These contributions, committed today, are earmarked to support student awards and bursaries, innovative teaching and learning initiatives, and life-changing research. They also help secure the future of the institution, as well as fulfil a donor’s wish to make a lasting impact. Learn more about legacy giving here.