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Neuroscience Scholars Program
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| Participants in the Neuroscience Scholars Program attend SfN's 2008 annual meeting in Washington, DC. |
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Neuroscience Scholars Program
Background
The Neuroscience Scholars Program (NSP) is a three-year fellowship to enhance career development and professional networking opportunities for undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students underrepresented in neuroscience. The program, funded by the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, provides scholars with:
- Travel assistance, up to $2,150 annually, to participate in SfN's annual meetings
- Supplemental funds, up to $2,000 annually, for enrichment activities outside the scholar's home institution
- Complimentary SfN membership and subscription to The Journal of Neuroscience online
- Complimentary SfN meeting registration and abstract fee waivers
- Mentoring
Other benefits include opportunities to network, expand professional contacts, and acquire professional skills.
Eligibility
Applicants must be citizens or permanent residents of the United States and enrolled in a degree-granting program or postdoctoral fellowship.
According to the guidelines of the the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke Diversity Research Education Grant, candidates must be from a group recognized as underrepresented in the biomedical, behavioral, clinical and social sciences:
- Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis. Learn more.
- Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds who are defined as:
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- Individuals who come from a family with an annual income below established low-income thresholds. These thresholds are based on family size; published by the U.S. Bureau of the Census; adjusted annually for changes in the Consumer Price Index; and adjusted by the Secretary for use in all health professions programs. The Secretary periodically publishes these income levels. Candidates eligible according to this criterion must be able to document that they have qualified for Federal disadvantaged assistance or they have received any of the following student loans: Health Professions Student Loans (HPSL), Loans for Disadvantaged Student Program, or they have received scholarships from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services under the Scholarship for Individuals with Exceptional Financial Need.
- Individuals who come from a social, cultural, or educational environment such as that found in certain rural or inner-city environments that have demonstrably and recently directly inhibited the individual from obtaining the knowledge, skills, and abilities necessary to develop and participate in a research career. This is most applicable to undergraduate candidates.
Past fellowship recipients are ineligible.
Scholars are selected based on academic excellence, research interests, and experience.
Application Information
Applications are due June 12, 2009. Awards are contingent upon funding.
2009 Neuroscience Scholars Application (Word 97-2003 document, .doc)
2009 Advisor Biosketch Form (Word 97-2003 document, .doc)
Sample Completed Biosketch Form (PDF)
Please send all application materials to nsp@sfn.org.
Mentoring Opportunity
SfN members interested in becoming mentors for the Neuroscience Scholars Program can contact nsp@sfn.org. Mentors inspire young scientists by meeting with them during the annual meeting and providing assistance throughout the year.