Predoctoral Fellowships in the Neurosciences

A Program Administered by the American Psychological Association and Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs

Funded by The National Institute of Mental Health to support Predoctoral Training in Neuroscience


Purpose

We invite individuals of all races/ethnicities to apply whose career goals are consistent with one or both of the following goals:

• To increase ethnic/racial diversity among neuroscience researchers with a special emphasis in increasing the numbers of under-represented ethnic minorities.
• To increase numbers of neuroscientists whose work is related to the federal initiative to eliminate health disparities.

About the Diversity Program in Neuroscience (DPN)

Funded by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), the APA Diversity Program in Neuroscience has been in existence since 1987 and has, over the years, partnered with the Association of Neurosciences Departments and Programs, and others, to help increase the ethnic/racial diversity among neuroscience researchers. Our mission is also consistent with the mission of NIH, which includes, but is not limited to the elimination of health disparities in the U.S. Our program provides financial support, professional development activities, and professional guidance to students pursuing doctoral degrees in neuroscience and whose ultimate career goal is to become an independent research scientist.


Training Areas:

Although the Diversity Program in Neuroscience is a program administered by the American Psychological Association, Fellows may receive their training in a range of academic departments provided their primary training and career aspirations are research oriented.

We receive funding from the National Institute of Mental Health, the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, and the National Institute on Drug Abuse. You may visit their websites to get a better idea of the types of neuroscience research of interest to them.


Basic Eligibility

• Applicants must be American citizens or permanent resident aliens with an alien registration card (I-151 or I-551). Individual on temporary or student visas are not eligible.
• Applicants should be enrolled full-time in a program leading to the PhD. This program is not intended for students pursuing doctoral degrees with a primarily clinical focus (e.g., MD or PsyD). Students not currently enrolled in suitable programs may apply as long as they gain acceptance into a PhD granting program for the fall term immediately following the application deadline.
• Fellowship recipients must be enrolled full-time in a program leading to the PhD by the fall term immediately following the application deadline.
• This program is not intended for students pursuing doctoral degrees with a primarily clinical focus (e.g., MD or PsyD).
• Those students identified as under-represented ethnic minorities in the neurosciences are strongly encouraged to apply.

DPN Benefits

A DPN fellowship is more than a simple scholarship that only provides financial support. A DPN fellowship is a professional training appointment into a community of other students and professionals who hold similar professional interests. Indeed, the DPN provides stipends, or living allowances, but we also facilitate professional development and provide professional guidance.

• Financial support (2 years maximum. Must be renewed annually)
• Travel funds to attend the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting
• Summer Program in Neuroscience, Ethics, and Survival (SPINES) at the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole, MA
• Ancillary training opportunities and enrichment experiences
• Access to information and resources
• Lifetime professional association with our network

How to Apply

Applications are accepted in the fall and must be received in the office by January 15 of the year in which support is being sought. For more information, contact:

APA/DPN
Predoctoral Neuroscience Application
750 First Street, NE
Washington, DC 20002-4242
Phone: (202) 336-6127
Fax: (202) 336-6012
E-mail: DPN

Online Applications

To apply for a fellowship, click here.

For more information on the Minority Fellowship Program see our Home Page at www.apa.org/mfp.

For information on neuroscience training programs see the Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs Web Page at www.andp.org.


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How long does the fellowship last?
Each Fellow is provided a stipend for up to 2 years. However, stipend support is provisional and must be renewed each year. Reappointment is contingent upon the satisfactory academic progress of the Fellow and continued support from our federal funding agency. Beyond the 2 years of stipend support, Fellows maintain a career-long relationship with the DPN for professional development, guidance, and association.

How do Fellows renew their appointments?
Each Fellow currently receiving a stipend must complete a progress report and return it to the DPN in January. Progress reports are reviewed by the DPN Advisory Committee in February and reappointment decisions are announced in April.

How much is the stipend?
The stipend coming directly from the DPN varies each year and is based on the National Research Service Act (http://grants1.nih.gov/training/nrsaguidelines/nrsa_toc.htm) or NRSA Guidelines for predoctoral and postdoctoral funding. The DPN also tries to ensure the financial support of it's Fellows by requesting various types of “in-kind” support such as tuition remission, health insurance, research assistantships, etc… from the universities at which students are training.

If I receive support from another federally-funded training grant, may I also accept funding from the DPN?
No. Individuals supported by other federal training grants are not eligible for support from the DPN.

What if the funding is from a private foundation, the state, or the university?
Please contact our office for guidance. Funding eligibility in these instances have to be determined on a case-by-case basis.

What are the criteria used to select Fellows?

• Fit between career goals and training environment selected
• Potential demonstrated through accomplishments and goals
• Scholarship/grades
• Letters of recommendation
• Commitment to a research career in Neuroscience

When are selections announced?
The DPN Advisory Committee meets in February to review applications. Awards are announced in April. Students awarded fellowships may expect to begin receiving support between July and September, depending on the circumstances.

May I apply to more than one MFP Fellowship?
No. You may apply to only one MFP Fellowship.

Will the program support a student in an MD/PhD program?
The program will support an MD/PhD student only during the PhD training phase.

Other Facts About the Diversity Program in Neuroscience
The Diversity Program in Neuroscience does not select schools for applicants, but the Diversity Program in Neuroscience will assist applicants who seek admission through contact with either the Association of Neuroscience Departments and Programs or an admissions officer, the Director of the program, the Advisory Committee, or by circulating applicants names and credentials to graduate neuroscience departments.


OTHER MFP FELLOWSHIPS (Note: Applicants may apply to only one of the MFP fellowships)

The Diversity Program in Neuroscience Postdoctoral Fellowship provides postdoctoral research fellowships in neuroscience.

The Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Fellowship is aimed at those pursuing doctoral degrees in clinical, counseling, and school psychology, or other mental health services areas. Deadline January 15th

The MHSAS Postdoctoral Fellowship is aimed at early career doctoral recipients who are interested in developing a career in mental health services research. Deadline January 15th.