Trainee Professional Development Award

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The Trainee Professional Development Award (TPDA) recognizes undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral fellows who demonstrate scientific merit and excellence in research.

TPDA recipients will participate in the fully virtual Neuroscience 2021 (November 8-11), where they will present an abstract and network with other scientists. Recipients will receive complimentary registration and reimbursement of their abstract submission fee.

Additionally, recipients receive access to professional development opportunities on Neuronline in the year following their award. Through curated email messaging and live chat opportunities, recipients connect on curated content focused on a variety of career development topics.

The aim of these awards is to promote the advancement of career training to neuroscientists from a wide range of institutions. SfN seeks to promote gender equality and increase diversity in all forms throughout its programs. Awards are distributed based on the merit of the trainee’s application.

Please see the TPDA FAQs for more information about the award, eligibility, the application, and professional development opportunities. 

Application

• Copy of the applicant’s abstract submission form for the upcoming SfN annual meeting including both the control/tracking number and the complete abstract. 
• Applicant’s CV, including education, honors/awards, and publications (abstracts and manuscripts).
• Short essay (no more than 500 words) on how attendance at SfN's annual meeting will impact your career goals (or, for undergraduates, why you chose the path of neuroscience). Additionally, the essay should speak to a personal experience that has had a broader impact on your career in science. Examples of topics could include:
  • A woman scientist who has inspired the applicant.
  • The importance of local advocacy and outreach efforts in neuroscience.
  • The importance of conducting rigorous science.
• One-page letter of recommendation from the applicant's mentor, advisor, chapter representative or program/department chair.
  • Reference letters over one page will void the application.

Applications that are missing one or more of the application components will not be considered. Applications with materials not requested will not be reviewed.

Should you have any questions or concerns, contact tpda@sfn.org. Applicants should not contact selection committee members for inquiries.

Eligibility

• Applicant must be the presenting author of an abstract.
  • Only one application per abstract is permitted. Multiple submissions with the same abstract will be ineligible.
• Applicant must be a current member of SfN.
• Applicant must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, a postdoctoral fellowship, or have completed one of these programs in the same calendar year the award is given.
• Nominee is not a recipient of another SfN travel award in the same or previous year.*

*Considering the impacts and challenges COVID-19 has caused, SfN will allow 2020 TPDA recipients to apply for TPDA in 2021. However, SfN will revert to normal eligibility requirements in 2022, which would make TPDA recipients ineligible to receive the award in back-to-back years.

Any application which does not adhere to all parameters will be voided.