UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of the earliest event reported): January 10, 2013

NEUROCRINE BIOSCIENCES, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (858) 617-7600

N/A

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report.)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

Neurocrine Biosciences, Inc. (the “Company”) maintains a bonus program for all employees of the Company, including its executive officers (the “Bonus Plan”). The Bonus Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board (the “Compensation Committee”), in consultation with the Board of Directors. The purpose of the Bonus Plan is to reward employees, including executive officers, for successful achievement of specified performance goals.

The Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Board of Directors, may, at their sole discretion, eliminate any individual bonus or reduce or increase the amount of compensation payable with respect to any individual bonus. An executive officer must be an employee of the Company on the date of payment to qualify for a bonus. Any executive officer who leaves the employment of the Company, voluntarily or involuntarily, prior to the payment date, is ineligible for any bonus. An employee who becomes an executive officer during the fiscal year may be eligible for a pro-rated bonus, provided the employee has been employed a minimum of three months during the calendar year.

On January 10, 2013, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Board of Directors, approved bonus payouts under the Bonus Plan for 2012 goal achievement. The individual amounts approved for payment to the Company’s executive officers are set forth below:

On January 10, 2013, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Board of Directors, approved 2013 base salaries for the Company’s executive officers. The individual 2013 base salaries approved for the Company’s executive officers are set forth below:

On January 10, 2013, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Board of Directors, approved the grant of stock options to the Company’s executive officers pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. The exercise price for these options is equal to the closing price of the Company’s stock on the NASDAQ Global Select Market on January 10, 2013 of $8.65. These options have a 10 year life and vest ratably on a monthly basis over a four year period, subject to the executive officer’s continued service to the Company. The individual option grants approved for the Company’s executive officers are set forth below:

On January 10, 2013, the Compensation Committee, in consultation with the Board of Directors, approved the grant of restricted stock units (“RSU”) to the Company’s executive officers pursuant to the Company’s 2011 Equity Incentive Plan. These RSU vest ratably on an annual basis over a four year period, subject to the executive officer’s continued service to the Company. The individual RSU approved for the Company’s executive officers are set forth below:

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.