PURPOSE:
With these Fellowships, The Grass Foundation
encourages independent research by investigators early in their
careers and increases research opportunities for persons
planning careers in
neurobiological investigation. Supported approaches
include neurophysiology, biophysics, integrative
neurobiology, neuroethology, neuroanatomy, neuropharmacology, systems
neuroscience, cellular and developmental neurobiology, and
computational approaches to neural systems. The Foundation also has a
longstanding interest in epilepsy-related research.
Grass
Fellowships at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) support
investigator-designed, independent research projects. While
sharing space in the Grass Laboratory (Grass Lab),
Fellows function as an intellectual and social group within the MBL
community. A weekly seminar series provides an opportunity for the
Fellows to invite eminent investigators at the MBL to discuss their
work. In addition, the Forbes Lecturer, a prominent neuroscientist who
is chosen annually, spends a portion of the summer in the Grass Lab
interacting closely with Fellows.
Grass
Fellowships provide funds to support an investigator, his/her spouse or
legal domestic partner, and dependent children for one summer at the
MBL in
Woods Hole, Massachusetts, USA. Laboratory research space, equipment,
housing, a meal allowance and round-trip travel expenses to the
MBL are provided.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants may be in the late stages of predoctoral training or be
postdoctoral researchers. Applicants should not attempt to combine a
Grass Fellowship with writing a Ph.D. thesis. Priority is given to applicants with a demonstrated commitment
to a research career and no prior research experience at the MBL
(participation in an MBL course is not considered research experience
and course alumni are encouraged to apply). Applications that fall
outside these guidelines may be considered; please contact the
Foundation regarding eligibility questions. International applicants
(not US citizens or resident aliens) must hold a J-1 visa for the
entire duration of the fellowship. The Grass Foundation is committed to
diversity in all of its programs.
DURATION:
The duration of the program is 14 weeks, from 30 May to 4
September, 2010. Preference will be given to applicants able
to commit to the full
14-week program.
DEADLINE: Applications for summer 2010 must be received by 10 December 2009 and
will not be accepted after the closing date. Applicants must ensure that the completed application and letters of
recommendation are submitted by the deadline. Successful applicants will be
notified by 1 March 2010.
SELECTION:
The Selection Committee, consisting of the Trustees of The Grass
Foundation, judges applicants' ability to organize and present
pertinent information, the scientific merit of the proposed research
and evidence of applicants' ability to work
independently. Approximately 8-10 Grass Fellowships are awarded
annually. Most Fellows share space in the Grass Laboratory;
some arrange to work in the space of other MBL investigator.
MORE INFORMATION: The 2010 Grass Fellowship Application (Form FA-2010) and Instructions for the 2010 Grass
Fellowship Application, available below, provide detailed information
on the Fellowship program and application process. Further
information is also available from the Grass Fellowship Program Coordinator at MBL.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
