The mission of the Hope for Depression Research Foundation (HDRF) is to fund cutting-edge, scientific research into the origins, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of depression, and its related mood and other emotional disorders – bipolar disorder, postpartum depression, post-traumatic stress syndrome, anxiety disorder and suicide. HDRF sets itself apart with this specialized focus: it is the prime significantly-funded research organization, public or private, that emphasizes an affective neuroscience approach to depression research – integrating the fields of neuroscience (the biology of the brain) and affective science (the psychology of mood and emotions). HDRF’s targeted focus and streamlined funding strategy is unique in allowing rapid support of emerging new ideas in depression research. HDRF was founded in April 2006 by Audrey Gruss in honor of her mother, Hope, who suffered from clinical depression. It is a 501 (c)(3) public charity and is obligated to raise public funds to support its mission. A private foundation underwrites all of HDRF’s administrative expenses, so that every dollar raised goes directly to research.