Career Starter Membership

Stay connected to neuroscience after graduation.

Just graduated? Stay connected to the neuroscience community with our affordable one-year membership for recent graduates. Whether you're planning further study, exploring career options, or working outside neuroscience, this transitional membership keeps you in touch with the latest research, events, and opportunities - whatever your next step.

Become a Career Starter Member

Establish Your Career

Establish your career with dedicated support:

Access exclusive careers advice and funding guidance from the BNA.
Explore current job openings on the regularly updated BNA job board.
Share your research findings and receive feedback at BNA meetings and events.

Learn and Develop

Build your knowledge with expert-led training and development opportunities:

Access free or discounted BNA Training Academy courses and events.
Stay up to date with neuroscience insights via BNA’s monthly news and opportunities email.
Join BNA committees or advisory boards to influence future initiatives and share your expertise.

Publish and Promote Your Work

Boost your exposure with exclusive BNA support:

Publish your research in the BNA’s open-access journal Brain and Neuroscience Advances, with 50% off APCs for BNA members.
Apply for BNA prizes, funding and travel bursaries to support your research.
Feature in the BNA member directory to raise your profile and find connections.

Expand Your Professional Network

Meet potential mentors, collaborators, and future colleagues:

Join your local BNA group and take part in events, campaigns, and outreach.
Attend events with peers, mentors, and professionals across academia, industry, and healthcare.
Put yourself forward for international positions and roles with BNA and partner organisations.

Connect Globally

Become part of a thriving international network:

Enjoy free membership of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS).
Access reduced registration for the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) annual meeting via FENS abstract slots.
Join a growing global community of researchers and professionals across 53 countries.

Enjoy Partner Discounts

Benefit from savings across respected science organisations:

Reduced rates for FENS meetings via free FENS membership.
Up to 50% off Royal Society of Biology membership and training.
Free access to leading neuroscience journals like the European Journal of Neuroscience.

Being part of the BNA means I’m connected with all things neuroscience. By that I don’t only mean news and events and access to bursaries. As a member I get a say in the future of neuroscience in the UK. It’s important to me that I’m integral to a movement for positive change.

Priya, Early Career Researcher Member

We are committed to keeping BNA Membership affordable at every career stage.
Career Starter membership costs £24 per year when paid by credit or debit card. As this membership is only available for one year, direct debit payments are not accepted for this membership category.

Eligibility Criteria

This membership type is for those who have graduated from an undergraduate degree within the last year and have not yet progressed into postgraduate study, or those who have graduated from a postgraduate degree (e.g. Masters/PhD/F1/F2) and have not yet progressed into an academic, industry or clinical role.

You are eligible to apply at any time within 12 months from the official end study date on your student verification, and your membership will be valid for a year from your application date.

Proof of previous student/trainee status will be required in order to evidence eligibility. This can be a photo or pdf of your student ID card, degree certificate, or a headed letter from your institution clearly stating your studies end date. You will be asked to upload this during the online application process. Your membership will be approved pending review of the supplied information.

Please note, you are only eligible to become a Career Starter Member within the first year of graduating, and you can only remain in the Career Starter Membership category for a maximum of one year. After this time, we will invite you to update your memership type to the most appropriate category.