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Neuroscience Research Prize
This award is designed to encourage high school students to explore the world of the brain and nervous system through research, identify and reward those students whose scientific skill and talent indicate potential for scientific contributions in the field of neuroscience, and recognize the efforts of science teachers who have demonstrated support for students interested in neuroscience.
Timeline
- Applications open: July 29, 2026
- Applications close: October 20, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. CT
- Notifications sent: By end of January 2027
Benefits
Benefits for three winners of the AAN Neuroscience Research Prize:
- Each winner will receive a $1,000 prize, a certificate of recognition, and the opportunity to present their work during a scientific poster session at the 2027 AAN Annual Meeting in Washington, DC*
- Each winner and their parent or mentor will receive coach airfare, two nights' hotel, $100/day per diem for expenses (up to two days), and complimentary meeting registration
Benefits for one winner of the Bhuwan Garg High School Neuroscience Research Prize:
- Winner will receive $1,000 honorarium, a certificate of recognition, and the opportunity to present their work during a scientific poster session at the 2027 Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting*
- Winner and their parent or mentor will receive airfare, three nights lodging, ground transportation, and complimentary meeting registration
Funding for this prize is provided through the Child Neurology Society
*Travel, housing, and per diem benefits are dependent on the ability to execute the in-person portion of the Annual Meeting.
Application requirements
- Completed application form
- Maximum 300-word abstract
- Research report
- Bibliography
- An e-signature from your parent/guardian, teacher, and mentor is required and will be needed to complete your application. Please make sure they are aware so the application can be processed on time. This will be done through this application.
Rounds
Applications will be reviewed by a panel of physicians and scientists who are involved in neuroscience research at academic institutions across the United States. Four prize winners will be chosen through two rounds of judging based on the criteria outlined below. All applications will be assessed in the first round and evaluated based on the research abstract. The top applications will advance to the final round for a comprehensive review.
Judging criteria
All applications received by the deadline date will be judged based on the following criteria:
First round
All applications will be evaluated based on the research abstract.
- Relevance to Neuroscience: The problem being investigated concerns the brain or the nervous system including, but not limited to: anatomy, physiology, pathology, function, and behavior. Behavior and psychology projects are not encouraged unless there is a clear link to neurophysiology.
- Abstract quality of writing: Demonstrate the following qualities: clarity, clear relay of methods, and succinct communication style.
- Research potential: An assessment of the abstract summarizing the applicant’s research project focusing on innovation, impact, and potential to fill a gap.
Final round
Top finalists will have the opportunity to have their full research project reviewed by additional judges. The winners will be selected based on the judging criteria listed below.
- Relevance to neuroscience: The problem being investigated concerns the brain or the nervous system including, but not limited to: anatomy, physiology, pathology, function, and behavior. Behavior and psychology projects are not encouraged unless there is a clear link to neurophysiology.
- Creativity: Creativity will be based on the originality of the problem-solving approach, even if the specific problem being addressed is not a new or unusual one.
- Interpretation of data: The scope of the hypothesis and methodology is feasible. The potential significance of the experiments is placed in the proper perspective. Potential pitfalls of the methodology or interpretation have been addressed
- Research report: The report is organized, well-written, and the accompanying figures and tables are clearly labeled and readable.
AI Based Application Success Predictor
1. Strong commitment to an academic career in neurology (highest predictor)
This is the most consistent predictor across AAN funding programs.
AAN specifically targets investigators pursuing careers in:
- Clinical neurology research
- Translational neuroscience
- Basic neuroscience
- Neurological disease research
- Neurological health-services research
Most awards are designed as career-launching mechanisms for future academic leaders in neurology.
2. High-quality, hypothesis-driven neurological research (very high predictor)
Competitive applications typically include:
- An important neurological research question
- Strong scientific rationale
- Rigorous methodology
- Appropriate statistical design
- Clear specific aims
- Feasible timeline
AAN funds research across numerous neurological disorders, including:
- Stroke
- Epilepsy
- Alzheimer's disease and dementias
- Parkinson's disease
- ALS
- Multiple sclerosis
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Peripheral neuropathy
- Rare neurological diseases
3. Strong potential for future NIH or major external funding
One of AAN's primary goals is to create a pipeline of successful independent investigators.
Reviewers strongly favor projects that can:
- Generate preliminary data
- Lead to NIH K awards
- Support future R-series applications
- Launch long-term neurological research programs
Past awardees frequently describe AAN funding as a critical stepping stone toward larger federal grants.
4. Strong mentorship and protected research time
A recurring theme across AAN awards is the importance of mentorship.
Successful applications usually demonstrate:
- Experienced research mentor(s)
- Strong research environment
- Protected research effort
- Career-development plan
- Access to necessary resources and infrastructure
Award recipients frequently cite mentorship and protected time as key benefits of AAN funding.
5. Early-career investigator promise
Most AAN Research Program awards specifically target:
- Residents
- Fellows
- Postdoctoral researchers
- Junior faculty
- Early-stage investigators
Reviewers often look for:
- Emerging independence
- Academic potential
- Commitment to neurology research
- Long-term research vision
Eligibility requirements for many awards are explicitly tied to years since residency or doctoral training.
6. Publication record and prior productivity
Strong applicants typically demonstrate:
- First-author publications
- Neurology-related research output
- Scientific presentations
- Abstracts at major neurology meetings
- Evidence of scholarly momentum
Although extensive publication records are not always required, prior productivity substantially strengthens competitiveness.
7. Clinical and translational relevance
Projects with a realistic pathway to improving:
- Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Patient outcomes
- Quality of care
- Neurological healthcare delivery
are particularly attractive to AAN reviewers. Practice-based and implementation-focused research is also supported through dedicated scholarship mechanisms.
8. Alignment with specific AAN award mechanisms
AAN uses multiple funding tracks, and strong applications clearly fit the intended mechanism:
- Career Development Award (CDA) – independent junior investigators
- Clinical Research Training Scholarship (CRTS) – mentored clinical investigators
- Neuroscience Research Training Scholarship (NRTS) – laboratory/basic neuroscience researchers
- Practice Research Training Scholarship (PRTS) – health services and implementation research
- Clinician-Scientist Development Awards (CSDA) – disease-focused career development programs
Specialties
Eligibility Requirements
- Students must be enrolled in and attending secondary school (grades 9-12) in the United States, regardless of age. Applications must represent original research as well as the original written work of the applicant.
- Projects do not need to occur in formal/traditional lab settings
- Each project should be the work of an individual student; group projects are not eligible (teachers are encouraged to provide guidance as needed, but must allow each student to demonstrate his/her own creativity)
- Family members of the judges, the AAN Science Committee, or AAN staff are not eligible to apply
Eligible Countries:
Sponsor Details
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Academy of Neurology
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 201 Chicago Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55415
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Grant, Award
Letter Of Intent Deadline:
Oct 20, 2026
Final Deadline:
Oct 20, 2026
Funding Amount:
$1,000
Host Details
Affiliation: American Academy of Neurology
Address: 201 Chicago Avenue Minneapolis, MN 55415
Website URL: https://www.aan.com/research/neuroscience-research-prize
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.
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