Friends of the Semel Institute Research Scholar Program
The Friends of Semel Research Scholar Grants are awarded yearly to outstanding post-doctoral fellows doing ground-breaking research to better understand the mind and brain, in sickness and in health. These early-career scientists are at the forefront of new developments that will lead to innovative treatments for complex mental, developmental, and neurological disorders. Using National Institute of Health criteria, the proposals are rigorously reviewed by a panel of senior Semel Institute faculty members for scientific merit and finalists are interviewed by The Friends of Semel Board to assess the relevance of the proposed studies to the organization's mission, and to current society needs.
To date, The Friends has awarded 38 Scholarships in areas such as Eating Disorders, ADHD, OCD, Addiction, Adolescent Anxiety, Concussions/Traumatic Brain Injuries, Depression in Alzheimer's care-givers, the Jail to Homeless Pipeline, Maternal Perinatal Depression, and Schizophrenia, and more.
The Friends of the Semel Institute is committed to helping develop the next generation of researchers of the mind and brain in health and disease. The backbone of the Friends Scholar Program is starter grants of $25,000 per year for up to two years, focused primarily in providing research funding to assist early career investigators and their development of research in neuroscience and human behavior within the Semel Institute. All applications will be reviewed by a panel of Semel Institute scientists and board members of The Friends of the Semel Institute. Those receiving a Friends starter award will be named a Friends’ Scholar.
2022 - 2024 Application Process
For more information please vist The Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at UCLA
Scholar Program Eligibility and Expectations
Post-doctoral scientists in training at UCLA’s Semel Institute.
Junior faculty (Assistant Professor or equivalent) conducting research in the Semel Institute, who have not yet received independent research funding (i.e., K or other extramural awards)
Strong preference is given to translational research projects that do not currently have adequate financial support and show promise for development toward extramural funding
Further consideration will be given to projects that address and/or have clear implications for issues of equity, diversity and inclusion
Friends Scholars will be asked to present updates on their research to the Board Members of the Friends and/or the Institute in general.
Friends Scholars will be asked to attend one or more Friends receptions to meet donors who supported the program.
Friends Scholars will be required to submit to The Friends a year-end report of research progress that may be shared with donors.