With this Diversity prize, The ALBA Network and the The FENS-Kavli Scholars wish to highlight a scientist that has made outstanding contributions to promoting equality and diversity in the brain sciences.
The promotion of equality and diversity — e.g. by gender, race, sexual orientation, class, or culture — in research depends upon leaders and role models that catalyse a full integration of all scientists across academic levels. This annual award will recognise an individual that has made outstanding contributions to this effort, including but not limited to advocacy, mentorship or the creation of diversity-promoting initiatives.
This prize is awarded by the ALBA and FKNE networks, annually, at either the FENS Forum or the FENS Regional Meetings (FRM). The 2025 winner will be announced at the next FRM in Oslo, Norway from 16-19 June 2025.
2025 nomination window: 25 October - 19 December 2024
Prize
The awardee will receive prize money of €2000 for personal use and additional financial support to cover the awardee’s travel to and participation in the conference where the prize will be awarded.
Eligibility criteria
This year we will celebrate the efforts of researchers at all career stages, including students, postdocs and principal investigators. They should be based in Europe and work at least 50% in a European research institution.
Nomination procedure
The call welcomes nominations of an individual by someone as well as self-nomination. Applications should include a statement (max. 1 page) indicating the merits of the nominee on promoting equality and diversity in the field of brain sciences and any relevant activities organised by the nominee to contribute to this goal. The committee will evaluate the diversity-promoting activities described in the nomination statement according to the following criteria:
- Extent of impact: Consider the magnitude of change, whether the actions have a local or global impact, and the size of the audience affected by these actions.
- Creativity of actions: Innovative approaches taken to promote diversity.
- Inspiration to others: The degree to which the nominee's actions inspire others to promote diversity.
- Role model status: Acting as a role model for other/junior scientists in the field of diversity in brain sciences.
You may wish to address these criteria in your nomination statement.
Selection Committee
Andrew Lin, Committee Chair (ALBA and FKNE Alumni - UK)
Carmen Sandi (ALBA - Switzerland)
Elisabeth Binder (ALBA - Germany)
Mateusz Ambrozkiewicz (FKNE - Germany, Poland)
Lora Sweeney (FKNE - Austria)
