Apply for the Neuroscience Scholars Program
Apply now for SfN's award-winning Neuroscience Scholars Program. This multiyear program is designed to enhance career development and professional networking opportunities for underrepresented and diverse graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.
For more than 30 years, it has helped foster the careers of many successful neuroscientists, with more than 500 young scientists participating in the program.
Up to 15 researchers are chosen each year to become NSP fellows. They receive intensive mentoring and network with former NSP scholars and leaders in the neuroscience field. NSP fellows also receive financial assistance to attend SfN’s annual meeting, where they can present their scientific abstracts and interact with colleagues.
Since receiving continued funding from the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) nearly two years ago, NSP has expanded beyond the fellows and now offers resources to all remaining eligible applicants, called NSP associates. Associates gain access to select events at the annual meeting, a digital library of educational resources, and an online community of past and current NSP participants for monthly discussions on scientific and professional development topics.
Through NSP, SfN seeks to increase participation in the field of scientists from underrepresented backgrounds, enabling diverse perspectives to advance comprehension of the brain and nervous system.
"Diversity in science leads to better science," explained Joseph Arboleda-Velasquez, a former NSP fellow and assistant professor at Harvard Medical School. "Specifically, I believe that we need more underrepresented minorities joining research endeavors in every capacity to build successful teams that can tackle new challenges with fresh ideas."
Arboleda-Velasquez recalls how being part of NSP has helped his career path.
"When I joined, I was just starting my postdoc. When I finished, I had been promoted to faculty instructor," he said. "I believe the many opportunities for networking and career advancement offered by NSP played a significant role in helping me achieve my goals as a scientist.”
For more information about the Neuroscience Scholars Program, visit SfN.org/nsp. The deadline to apply is May 25 at 5 p.m. EDT.
