Congressman Mike Kelly, R-16th, was one of two U.S. representatives to introduce the Mental Health Research Accelerator Act on Thursday, Sept. 28. The goal of the legislation is to offer incentives to private industry to forge partnerships with academic or nonprofit research institutions for mental health research.

The MHRAA would provide $10 billion in tax credits from 2023 to 2028. The credits are available to nonprofits, state and local agencies and private companies who collaborate on neurological research. Credits will be allocated based on merit and will be capped at 25% of allowable expenses.

“When it comes to addressing mental health access and care, we must utilize every tool in our toolbox,” Kelly said in a news release. “This new legislation allows us to make America's tax system work for the American people by incentivizing research partnerships into brain health.”