BRAINS Symposium

Broadening Representation of Academic Investigators in NeuroScience
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The BRAINS logo, based on the two halves of a brain, one half is orange and the other half is blue with arrows point in all directions to represent diversity BRAINS acronym

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Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions)

Thank you for visiting the BRAINS frequently asked questions page. Please see topics and questions below. If you cannot find an answer to your question here, please e-mail us at brains@uw.edu.

Eligibility

  • Who should apply?
  • Early career Ph.D. scientists in neuroscience-related fields from underrepresented groups (including racial and ethnic minorities, people with disabilities, and people from disadvantaged backgrounds). Early career includes postdoctoral researchers, assistant professors, assistant research professors, and other pre-tenure level science positions. Please see more information under eligibility on the application page.
  • Do I have to have already completed my Ph.D. before applying?
  • Given BRAINS focus on addressing the critical transition period from graduate studies and post-doctoral positions to permanent research and teaching positions, priority will be given to individuals who have earned their doctoral degrees within the past two to twelve years and who do not have tenure.
  • Are Asians considered underrepresented in neuroscience?
  • For this R25 funded program, NIH does not consider Asians to be an underrepresented group in neuroscience. However, if you are a US citizen or permanent resident and also a member of one of the other groups listed in our eligibility section, you are eligible for the program, and we encourage you to apply.
  • Are women considered underrepresented in neuroscience?
  • For this R25 funded program, NIH does not consider women to be an underrepresented group in neuroscience. However, if you are a US citizen or permanent resident and also a member of one of the other groups listed in our eligibility section, you are eligible for the program, and we encourage you to apply.
  • Are M.D. neuroscientists eligible to participate in BRAINS?
  • M.D. neuroscientists are certainly eligible to attend BRAINS provided other eligibility criteria are met.  (Details about eligibility for the BRAINS program can be found here. However, the program is not structured to address the issues unique to M.D. neuroscientists.  Rather, the program content’s focus is research-based neuroscientists.
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Symposium Logistics

  • Do I need to stay for the entirety of the symposium? Can I attend for just a single day?
  • Given the community we hope to establish through the BRAINS symposium, all participants, panelists, and facilitators are required to stay for the duration of the event. The BRAINS symposium model provides for for deeper continuity, discussions, networking, and relationship building.
  • What time does the symposium start and end?
  • The symposium registration will run from 1:00-4:00pm on Thursday, January 10th. Please arrive at the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport by noon on January 10th in order to arrive at the symposium site on time. A free shuttle will be available to transport participants from the airport to the symposium.

    The symposium will conclude at 12:30pm on Sunday, January 13th. A free shuttle will be available for transportation from the symposium site to the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport with an estimated time of arrival 2:30pm.
  • What topics will be addressed at the symposium?
  • Visit the Symposium page for sample session topics. Also, visit the Panelist and Speakers page for a list of upcoming symposium facilitators and speakers. Please note that this symposium is not designed to address issues related to applying and interviewing for jobs, although some of the symposium panels and discussion might indirectly touch on these subjects.
  • How will housing be arranged at the symposium?
  • Symposium participants will be assigned a roommate and share a large double room with another BRAINS participant. Accessible rooms will be available as needed.
  • How much does the symposium cost?
  • The symposium costs (lodging and meals) will be covered by the NIH grant. No registration fee will be charged. Participants will be responsible for travel expenses.
  • Are travel funds available?
  • Some travel funding may be available. Please check back to the website at a later date or contact brains@uw.edu for more information.
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Participant Selection

  • When does the application form close?
  • The application process closed on August 15, 2012. Another program will be offered in 2014 or 2015. Please check back in 2013 for more information about the future program.
  • When will participant decisions be made?
  • Applicants will be notified in late-September 2012 about acceptance decisions.
  • How will participants be selected?
  • BRAINS applications will be evaluated using a rubric grounded in our basic criteria and goals. We expect to select 24-30 participants for the BRAINS symposium.
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Miscellaneous FAQs

  • How is BRAINS funded? And how long is the funding?
  • The BRAINS program is made possible from September 2011-September 2016 with NINDS National Institutes of Health grant 1R25NS076416-01.
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Last updated April 9, 2013

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