SfN's TPDA Program Earns ASAE 2023 Power of Associations Gold Award
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) earned a Power of Associations Gold Award from the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) for its successful Trainee Professional Development Award (TPDA) program. ASAE’s Power of Association awards celebrate and promote the invaluable contributions that associations make within the U.S. and globally through catalytic initiatives focused on professional advancement, global development, diversity and inclusion practices, advocacy, and community support and engagement.
In operation since 2015, the TPDA program recognizes undergraduate and graduate students and postdoctoral scholars who demonstrate scientific merit and excellence in research. This year, over 300 new TPDA recipients will receive travel support to take part in SfN’s annual meeting, Neuroscience 2023, November 11–15 in Washington, D.C., the world’s largest gathering of scientists exploring the brain and nervous system. At the meeting, the awardees present their research abstracts at a dedicated TPDA poster session, build connections with peers and established scientists, and participate in professional development workshops. After the annual meeting, TPDA recipients enroll in a year-long virtual professional development program to further enhance career skills.
“The TPDA program enables so many young neuroscientists to attend their first SfN annual meeting, where they can experience the potent intermingling of people and ideas that can spark the next breakthrough in their field,” said Michael Lehman, PhD, TPDA program chair. “This award and the entire TPDA program would not be possible if not for the consistent generosity of the program’s donors.”
The TPDA program receives generous contributions from numerous organizational and individual donors. Importantly, 2023 features three new multiyear TPDA supporters. The Gatsby Charitable Foundation and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund have each committed $25,000 per year for the next three years toward the program. In addition, the new John I. Simpson Fund provides approximately $50,000 per year towards TPDA. The Rainwater Charitable Foundation has provided a one-year commitment of $25,000. All of these contributions are matched by SfN Council as part of its continuing commitment to match TPDA contributions of $25,000 and above. SfN Council also matches donations by individuals to the Friends of SfN Fund which totaled over $38,000 this year. Additional TPDA support comes from the Nancy Rutledge Zahniser Fund endowment, the Tianqiao and Chrissy Chen Institute, Science Translational Medicine/AAAS, and the Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank.
“Congratulations to SfN for exemplifying the impact associations have on the industries and professions they represent, and on society at large,” said ASAE president and CEO Michelle Mason. “It’s always so incredibly satisfying to see associations going above and beyond their everyday mission to change the world. We’re very proud to spotlight this award-winning initiative.”
To learn more the TPDA program, visit the TPDA webpage. For questions on how to support SfN and the TPDA program, contact development@sfn.org.
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The Society for Neuroscience (SfN) is an organization of nearly 35,000 basic scientists and clinicians who study the brain and the nervous system.
