2009 McKnight Scholar Awards for Neuroscience

2009 McKnight Scholar Awards

The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience supports innovative research designed to bring science closer to the day when diseases of the brain can be accurately diagnosed, prevented, and treated. To this end, The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience invites applications for the 2009 McKnight Scholar Awards.

These awards were established to encourage emerging neuroscientists to focus on disorders of learning and memory. Applicants for the McKnight Scholar Awards must demonstrate interest in solving important problems in relevant areas of neuroscience, including the translation of basic research to clinical neuroscience. Awards are given to exceptional young scientists who hold the M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree and who are in the early stages of establishing an independent laboratory and research career. Traditionally, successful candidates have held faculty positions for at least one year. For the names of previous recipients and their projects, click here.

Up to six McKnight Scholars each will receive three years of support, beginning July 1, 2009.

Eligibility. Applicants must have the following:

* M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree; formal postdoctoral training completed at the time of application.
* A record of meritorious research in areas pertinent to the interests of the Endowment Fund.
* Not more than four years of experience in an independent/tenure-track faculty position (exceptions may be made to account for parental leave).
* Evidence of a commitment to a career in neuroscience.
* U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident status.
* U.S.-based sponsoring institution, to which awards will be paid.

Applicants may not:

* Be employees of the Howard Hughes Medical Institute or scientists within the intramural program of the National Institutes of Health.
* Apply in more than two rounds of competition.
* Apply for continued postdoctoral support.
* Hold tenured positions or their equivalent.
* Hold another type of McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience award that would overlap with the Scholar Award.

Amount and Purpose of Support. Each McKnight Scholar will receive $75,000 annually in 2009, 2010, and 2011. Funds may be used in any way that will facilitate development of the Scholar’s research program, but not for indirect costs.

Selection Process. A review committee will evaluate applications and invite a select few to interview with the committee. Applicants selected will be notified by March 20, 2009. The interviews are scheduled for Friday, April 17, 2009, in San Francisco. The committee then will recommend candidates to the Board of Directors of the Endowment Fund for final decision. Awards will be announced on or before May 15, 2009.

Printed application forms and guidelines. Please call, email, or write the office of The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience.

Completed applications must arrive no later than January 2, 2009.

The McKnight Endowment Fund for Neuroscience
710 South Second Street, Suite 400
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55401
info@mcknight.org
www.mcknight.org/neuroscience