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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:

Visiting Scientist Fellowship

This program supports short-term visits (up to 4 weeks) by eminent scientists who will:

  • Participate in the Neuroscience Colloquium, visit faculty laboratories, and participate in venues relevant to graduate education (e.g. journal club or similar)
  • 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:

  • The name of the proposed guest
  • One of the three focus areas of the SPIBR that best characterizes the visit and why
  • The length of stay, and the nature of activities and collaborative research to take place during the visit
  • 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 and per diem expenses, up to a total of $5,000.

Colloquium Professorship

This program 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.

SPIN Mini-Symposium

This mechanism provides a particularly exciting opportunity to host a symposium on a topic relevant to the mission of the Schmitt Program, addressed during a one-day session by two-to-four visiting scientists and a similar number of contributors from the UR faculty.

A typical format 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. Suggested symposia should be discussed with members of the SPIBR Committee in advance of submitting a written proposal (˜2 pages) outlining the topic, its relevance, proposed visiting and local speakers (including a rationale for the selections and their contributions to the meeting), and a tentative meeting plan with budget estimate (˜$12K).

Additional Details

The SPIN is directed by a Program Committee comprised of Drs. John Foxe (Program Director) Gary Paige (Grant & Review Chair), William O'Neill, Harris Gelbard, Greg DeAngelis, Lizabeth Romanski, and Loisa Bennetto, representing the major areas of focus. The Committee governs the selection process and support mechanisms described above. The Program is administered through the Department of Neuroscience.