Under-represented ethnic groups in neuroscience to be supported by new scholarship

5th Jan 2021

We are excited to announce the launch of a brand new BNA Scholars Programme, created in consultation with BNA members and others interested in improving representation, diversity and equity in neuroscience, to support students from currently under-represented ethnic groups in neuroscience and build a supportive community through networking opportunities, bursaries and mentorship.

At the core of the BNA Scholars Programme is a mentorship scheme. This emerged as a top priority and key way to make a difference when discussing ways to improve representation in neuroscience e.g. at our open webinar 'Empowering and including you in UK neuroscience' and talking to individuals about what they needed for their careers.

Additional ways we will support students on the BNA Scholars Programme include: 

• Membership of the BNA
• Membership of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS)
• Networking opportunities through the BNA and BNA events
• Opportunities to connect with key individuals within the BNA, for instance members of the BNA Council and Committee, and the Editorial Board of the BNA Journal, Brain and Neuroscience Advances
• Free registration and funding towards BNA Festival of Neuroscience attendance
• Funding towards FENS Forum attendance

This first year of the programme will be a pilot year, during which we will assess its progress and subsequently review whether and how to make changes in years ahead. 

Could you be a mentor? 

Make a lasting impact on someone's future career and the future of neuroscience!

Anyone can apply to be a mentor: we are welcoming mentor applications from all ethnicities and all career stages across neuroscience. 

Please see full details here.
Mentor applications close in late March. 

Want to become a Scholar? 

To be a Scholar, you must be:

• A Final Year Undergraduate, Masters (including integrated Masters) or PhD student
• Affiliated with UK Higher Education Institution (and planning to remain affiliated for at least the next year)
• Self-identify as Black, Asian, or minority ethnic
• Interested in pursuing a future career and have research interests in neuroscience and/or the wider neuroscience sector

Please see full details here.
Scholar applications close in early February.

Enquiries: please contact the BNA office with any questions or comments

We are very grateful to the Gatsby Foundation for their ongoing support of the BNA and schemes such as this new scholarship programme.