Applications welcome for 2025 entry to the BNA Scholars Programme

11th Nov 2024

The British Neuroscience Association’s Scholars Programme is a flagship EDI activity. The Programme is now in its fifth year and, thanks to the generous funding and support from our Programme Partners, our Scholars continue to benefit from a range of unique development opportunities and flourish in their neuroscience careers. 

About the BNA Scholars Programme 

The “leaky pipeline” is a well-established metaphor in STEM, describing the progressive attrition of women, non-white people, and other minoritised groups from STEM career paths – and at far higher rates than their male, white, etc. counterparts. As one scans along the pipeline of school, college, undergraduate study, postgraduate study, and then increasing levels of seniority within employment, members of these minoritised groups become less and less represented. 

The BNA Scholars Programme was created with the specific objective of helping to plug this leaky pipeline, supporting the career development and career confidence of talented student and early career neuroscientists to help them overcome the structural and systemic barriers that may otherwise have pushed them to leave. It therefore seeks in its applicants: 

• A record of high academic performance, and future academic promise
• A high degree of commitment to neuroscience and the neuroscience community
• A high degree of potential impact of the Scholars Programme on their liklihood to continue along the STEM pipeline.

"My mentor is very well matched to me [and] has a similar lived experience...that has allowed me to open up about some of my struggles in the neuroscience sector, but it has also given me a form of representation that I never had during my sixth form and undergraduate studies." - BNA Scholar

What's new for 2025?

The BNA carries out ongoing evaluation of the Programme's impact based on internal and external data, and regularly updates the Programme so that it can continue to maximise its impact.  This year we have made the decision to expand the Programme's eligibility criteria to enable applications from more individuals who might benefit, and to more specifically support those whose neuroscience careers are most at risk from the leaky pipeline.

BNA Scholars are given access to:

• Enrolment on a BNA Scholars' mentoring scheme administered through the BNA.

"I have always enjoyed helping my peers and individuals younger than me to reach their full potential, especially if they are interested in academic research. This scheme has helped me gain confidence in my advice and helped me appreciate that I have gained a wealth of knowledge to pass on to future researchers. - Afra Aabdien, BNA Mentor

• A broad range of bespoke career development opportunities provided by academic, clinical and commercial Supporters of the Programme, e.g. research presentations, writing opportunities, site visits, networking, careers and scientific workshops, and poster sessions - all fully funded.
• Free membership of the BNA (including additional networking, publication and research presentation opportunities - all fully funded).
• Free membership of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), and attendance at one edition of the biennial FENS Forum.

BNA Scholars from left - Morgan Mitchell; Jess Down; Laura Odemwingie; Dipa Begum enjoying the 2024 FENS Forum social evening at Das Loft in Austria, with BNA members and BNA Membership and Communities Manager, Dani Wijesinghe.

Become a BNA Scholar in 2025

Seven new BNA Scholars are selected to join the Programme each Spring, and will remain on it for three years.  Our Scholars are talented and self-driven neuroscientists from career stages between final year Undergraduate and PhD.  If this sounds like you, and you're ready to supercharge your career, apply below.

 To apply to become a BNA Scholar, please complete this form 

Deadline:2nd January 2025

Apply to become a mentor

Scholars are matched with their choice of Mentor from a pool of applicants, comprising early career researchers, senior academics, and members of the charity and commercial sectors, many of whom are from underrepresented ethnic backgrounds themselves.Mentors and Scholars meet regularly to set and review goals, problem-solve and share connections.  Ongoing feedback from both Scholars and Mentors reveals strong, impactful relationships that are building and accelerating careers.

"[Being a Mentor on the BNA Scholars Programme] has helped me to develop skills which can be adapted for supervision.  For example, how to communicate certain information, and how to encourage a student to think about their goals, but be flexible in their expectations which can help to reduce stress and anxiety when things don't go according to plan." - Kamar Ameen-Ali, BNA Mentor

To apply to become a BNA Mentor, please complete this form

Deadline: 23rd February 2025