BRAIN Grant for Neuroscience Majors

The Bishop Research Award in Neuroscience (BRAIN) supports mentored research projects for OWU Neuroscience majors. The research can be performed either at OWU or another institution. Funds are available for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. Funds are mainly anticipated for research materials, but can be used to support travel to an outside institution for research purposes.

Each BRAIN grant is eligible for up to $1,000, but must include a detailed budget justifying each expense. On occasion, students may be awarded more than $1,000, but only if the student has clearly justified the expenses, and the project is highly original or unique.

Requirements for the BRAIN Grant

1. You must be currently enrolled full-time at Ohio Wesleyan, and must be a declared Neuroscience or Computational Neuroscience major at the time of your submission.

2. Your submission must include a DOCX or PDF file (put name and date on all pages) that contains:

A) Title of your project.

B) A description of your project (500 word limit).

C) A detailed budget that is itemized, with a justification for each expense.

D) Information on previous funding you have applied for and/or received, including Theory-to-Practice Grants and SIPs. If you have received funding explain why you need further funding.

3. A statement of support from your research adviser (Adviser), which is simply a statement to the fact that the adviser has agreed to work with you, if your application is approved. Your Adviser may work at OWU or at another institution. Please inform your Adviser to simply email neuroscience@owu.edu, with the Subject line reading "Statement of Support: Applicant Name." Be sure that your Adviser sends their email by the application deadline to which you are applying.

4. Two (2) References who will be providing letters of recommendation. A “letter of recommendation” is a statement of the applicant’s abilities and potential. Your Adviser may also serve as a Reference. Please inform your References to email their letters to neuroscience@owu.edu, with the Subject line reading "BRAIN Grant: Applicant Name." Be sure that each Reference submits their letter by the application deadline to which you are applying.

5. A list of all relevant coursework for the project (completed and in progress). Include the course title, when the course was taken, and the grade received. For example, "Intro to Neuroscience (NEUR 250); Fall 2016; Grade: B."

6A. If you will be working with human participants or human samples, you will need IRB approval. You will be required to submit the IRB approval letter with your application. If approval has not yet been given, you will need to provide a timeline for gaining the necessary approval. Your application may still be approved without an IRB approval letter, but an approval letter will be required before any funds are given. Contact your Adviser to ask if an IRB approval form is required for your research, and for copies of any IRB approval forms.

6B. If you will be working with vertebrate animals or animal samples, you will need IACUC approval. You will be required to submit the IACUC approval letter with your application. If approval has not yet been given, you will need to provide a timeline for gaining the necessary approval. Your application may still be approved without an IACUC approval letter, but an approval letter will be required before any funds are given. Contact your Adviser to ask if an IACUC approval form is required for your research, and for copies of any IACUC approval forms.

Deadlines for the BRAIN Application

1. There are 2 application cycles per year for the BRAIN grant: Fall and Spring.

The Fall application deadline is the Friday after Fall Break.  Awards will be announced one month after the application deadline.

The Spring application deadline is the Friday after Spring Break.  Awards will be announced one month after the application deadline.

2. It is important to note that no matter which deadline for which you apply, you may specify when you want the funds to be available. Funds will be given at the start of Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. You may request funds to be available for any 12-month period after your application is submitted. 

For example, if you apply in the Fall semester, you may request funds to start at the beginning of the following semester (Spring), or wait until the Summer or even the Fall semester of the following year.

Similarly, if you apply in the Spring semester, you may request funds to start at the beginning of the Summer, or wait until the Fall semester or even the Spring semester of the following year. 

Funding dates: August 1 (start of Fall semester), January 1 (start of Spring semester), and May 1 (start of Summer session).

Application Form

Please review the Requirements and Deadlines listed above before submitting your application. If you have any questions about your application, please email neuroscience@owu.edu.

When you are ready to submit your application, click hear to access the BRAIN Application Form website.