BNA members receive international recognition with SfN awards
8th October 2024
Learn more about the BNA Scholars Programme
About the Programme
There are seven places on the BNA Scholars Programme available each year. Successful BNA Scholars will remain on the Programme for three years* and the programme confers the following minimum benefits for the full three years*:
- Free membership to the BNA
- Free membership of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) (and attendance at one edition of the biennial FENS Forum)
- Enrolment on a BNA Scholars’ mentoring scheme administered through the BNA
- A broad range of bespoke career development opportunities provided by academic and commercial Supporters of the Programme, e.g. writing opportunities, site visits, careers workshops, and poster sessions – all fully funded
- Additional networking, publication, and research presentation opportunities through the BNA and BNA events – all fully funded
Expectations of BNA Scholars
Expectations of BNA Scholars are as follows:
- To arrange and attend regular meetings with your Mentor (at least 4–6 per year) – these can be in-person, online, or by telephone
- To consistently attend and engage with the bespoke career development opportunities provided by the Programme's Supporter Organisations (this is a condition of the Programme's continuation)
- To engage with the BNA by e.g. contributing items for BNA publications, attending/presenting a poster at the biennial Festival of Neuroscience, participating in BNA Local Group activities
- To provide feedback on the Programme and on your developing feelings regarding your career, by completing an evaluation form every 6 months
BNA Scholar attendance at BNA Festivals of Neuroscience
We expect the successful BNA Scholar candidates to attend the biennial BNA Festivals of Neuroscience. These events will be a thoroughly enjoyable experience, whilst offering the opportunity to present a poster and network.
If a successful BNA Scholar has already registered and submitted a poster abstract for BNA Festival of Neuroscience, then the BNA will issue a refund. In the case of successful BNA Scholar candidates who have not registered or submitted a poster abstract, we will offer a special abstract submission window in which they can do so. The poster abstract will be subject to peer-review prior to acceptance.
*If the Scholar completes their neuroscience degree and thereafter does not remain in the neuroscience sector (where ‘the neuroscience sector’ includes any neuroscience-related role in the public, charity or commercial sector, including both academia and industry) before the three years are completed, they will receive free BNA Associate membership for the remainder of the three years but no other benefits. If the Scholar is still in process of completing their neuroscience degree after the three years have finished, then ongoing inclusion on the Programme will be reviewed on a year by year basis. We will take into consideration any required career breaks (e.g for caring responsibilities) on a case by case basis.
Annual award cycle
- October/November: Scholar and Mentor applications open
- December: Scholar applications close
- January: Scholar interviews
- February: Mentor applications close
- Spring: Scholar cohort announced
- Spring: Mentors matched with Scholars
For further information regarding the Programme's eligibility criteria, and its application, shortlisting and interview processes, please see this page.