The Dana Foundation is leading efforts to build the emerging and critical field of neuroscience and society, which bridges the gap between research in the lab and the interdisciplinary skills needed to use it to improve people’s lives. Through our work, we strive to foster collaboration between students, neuroscience and society scholars and practitioners, funders, policymakers, professionals, and communities in pursuit of advancing knowledge and co-creating neuroscience-informed solutions to complex societal problems. Reviewing the Foundation's mission and vision and existing grants may be helpful in getting a better understanding of the type of work supported by the Foundation.
The professional development awards are organized by the Dana NextGen program, which aims to strengthen neuroscience’s positive role in the world by preparing the next generation of scholars to think reflexively and responsibly apply neuroscience knowledge to benefit society by supporting innovative training opportunities, workforce development, and collaboration across disciplines.
The proposed opportunity must be interdisciplinary in nature and demonstrate strong connections to neuroscience and society. That is, it must include the field of neuroscience AND another field outside of the natural sciences or engineering. This can include, but is not limited to, ethics, law, philosophy, sociology, anthropology, social sciences, public health, arts, and the humanities.
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The deadline for submissions is July 27, 2025.
To be eligible for a professional development award, you must meet both of the following conditions:
- Currently affiliated with an academic or non-profit institution in the United States.
- Currently enrolled in a training program, or employed by a non-profit organization, as an undergraduate, postbaccalaureate, graduate, or post-doctoral trainee.
Applicants may request up to $5,000 in funding to support professional development in neuroscience and society. (Note that Dana funding can be used towards a professional development activity with a total cost that exceeds $5,000 -- i.e. the Dana funding can be used as partial support of a professional development activity.)
Applicants may request up to an additional 10% of their requested amount to cover indirect costs at your institution (i.e. if you request $5,000, you may request an additional $500 covering indirect costs, for a total of $5,500). Indirect costs are expenses that are necessary for an organization to operate but are not directly associated with a specific project or program. Your institution will likely request indirect costs as a condition of receiving your grant.