Academic Interchange Program

Academic interchange and dissemination are important elements of any scientific community. A key mechanism in accomplishing these goals entails invited visits to our neuroscience community and training programs by eminent investigators at other institutions. Support for three options is available.

The Visiting Scientist Fellowship program supports short-term visits (up to 4 weeks) by eminent scientists who will:

1. Participate in the Neuroscience Colloquium, visit faculty laboratories, and participate in venues relevant to graduate education (e.g. journal club or similar);
2. Participate in, or catalyze, research collaborations with at least one host faculty member.

The potential host should apply for this program in a two page letter outlining:

1. The name of the proposed guest;
2. One of the three focus areas of the SPIBR that best characterizes the visit and why;
3. The length of stay, and the nature of activities and collaborative research to take place during the visit;
4. An explanation as to how the visit satisfies the goals of the Program to foster interdisciplinary research, and how the visit will benefit and extend the work of the host faculty member.

Funds may be requested to support travel, per diem expenses, and an honorarium, up to a total of $5,000.

The Colloquium Professorship sponsors 2-day visits by scientists representing each of the three areas of emphasis each year. The Review Committee will accept suggestions, and will solicit input, from the community in selecting and inviting these guests. Visits will include a lunch/discussion with our graduate students, visits with faculty and their laboratories, and a presentation in the Neuroscience Colloquium Series.

The Mini-Symposium mechanism provides a particularly exciting function. A targeted topic relevant to the mission of the Schmitt Program will be addressed during a one-day session by two to four visiting scientists, in combination with additional contributors from our local faculty. A useful sample schedule would include a Thursday PM - Saturday-AM visit, with presentations over the course of the day on Friday, culminating in a banquet-dinner that evening. Suggestions should be discussed with members of the Executive and Review Committees in advance of submitting a proposal (~2 pages) outlining the topic, its relevance, proposed visiting scientists (including a rationale for the selections and their contributions to the meeting), and a tentative meeting plan with budget estimate (~$10K).

Additional Details: The SPIBR is directed by a Program Committee comprised of Drs. Gary Paige (Program Chair), William O'Neill (Review Chair), Elissa Newport, and Harris Gelbard representing the three areas of focus. The Committee governs the selection process for the support mechanisms described above. The Program is administered through the Department of Neurobiology & Anatomy.