Call for new supporters for the BNA’s equity, diversity & inclusion (EDI) in neuroscience activities

28th Mar 2022

The British Neuroscience Association (BNA) is delighted to announce a second call for Supporters of our initiatives for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) in neuroscience, in particular the BNA Scholars Programme.

We are looking for individuals and organisations with a strong EDI commitment who can work with us to help build a supportive neuroscience community through networking opportunities, bursaries and mentorship.

About the BNA Scholars programme

Now in its second year the BNA Scholars programme was launched at the beginning of January last year, and has enjoyed a year of success. The programme was created in consultation with BNA members and others interested in improving equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) in neuroscience, to support students from currently under-represented ethnic groups in neuroscience and build a supportive community within the discipline and the BNA.

We have continued to expand the offer, in response to feedback from the inaugural cohort, and offer students a mentoring scheme, networking opportunities, and membership to both the BNA and FENS, as well as funding towards conferences.

Having received an incredibly positive response to the first funding call, we now have nine key supporters: Bristol Neuroscience  (University of Bristol), COMPASS Pathways, DeepMind, Gatsby Foundation, Guarantors of Brain, International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), MSD and the UK Dementia Research Institute (UK DRI) and Hello Bio.

The cohesive commitment to the BNA Scholars programme, from organisations representing the full breadth of the neuroscience sector, covering academic, commercial, and third sector organisations, has shown how we can work together for the greater good; united in the goal of improving EDI in neuroscience.

Expectations of and eligibility to be BNA EDI supporters

EDI supporters are expected to demonstrate the following:

• Commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion. Please provide a copy of your EDI policy, or similar.
• Commitment to engage with, and actively amplify the programme; sharing news on company channels, and with own network
• To engage with the BNA and participate in related activities e.g. to contribute to an article in the BNA Bulletin

Key dates

• Applications open Monday 28th March 2022
• BNA EDI New Supporters applications close Friday 29^th April 2022
• BNA EDI New Supporters announced at the 'Improving translation' symposium on Wednesday 11^th May 2022

Application process

Please email Sophie Jerrold (Development Director) on sophie@bna.org.uk with approximately 200 words on your company/academic activities and research interests, as well as 200 words on why you want to support the programme, and what you think your company could contribute, including financial support. Please attach your equality, diversity and inclusion policy, or similar.

If you’d like further information about the BNA Scholars Programme, please contact Dani Wijesinghe (BNA Community and Inclusion Officer).