It was originally called the National Alliance for Research on Schizophrenia & Depression, or NARSAD.

[1][2] BBRF states that it is "committed to alleviating the suffering caused by mental illness by awarding grants that will lead to advances and breakthroughs in scientific research.

This is a group of 187 prominent mental health researchers, led by Herbert Pardes, M.D., who review each grant application and select those deemed most likely to lead to breakthroughs.

[4] From its inception in 1987 through calendar year 2022, BBRF has awarded over $440 million[3] to fund more than 6,400 grants to more than 5,300 scientists around the world.

BBRF is able to achieve this thanks to the support of two family foundations that fully cover its operating expenses.