Neuroscience Scholars Program Mentor Award Application

Neuroscience Scholars Program Mentor Award Application

The Neuroscience Scholars Program is a 5-week mentored summer research training program that is designed to prepare rising and current undergraduates from Baltimore for graduate school and STEM careers. The program also provides select high school students from Baltimore City Public Schools with research experiences to enhance their journey towards college as STEM majors. The program is run by the Department of Neurobiology at the University of Maryland School of Medicine located in downtown Baltimore. The program aims to strengthen relationships with the Baltimore community, local institutions, regional colleges and universities, all aligned in the goal of enhancing biomedical research opportunities in Baltimore. Trainees in the Department of Neurobiology or Kahlert Institute who have a strong motivation to mentor the next generation of scientists and who are dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive environment in lab are encouraged to apply. Chosen mentors will be matched with high school students or current undergraduate students with ties to Baltimore. Graduate student applicants should have joined their PhD lab and along with post-doctoral fellows, must receive approval from their PI to host the scholar in the lab and devote the time required to mentoring. Mentor applications are reviewed based on the scientific project proposed for the NSP Scholar. Selected NSP mentors will receive a $500 NSP Mentor Award at the end of the summer.
Full Name*

First NameLast Name
Email Address*
example@example.com
Phone Number*
Please enter a valid phone number.
Current position (e.g., graduate student, post-doc, laboratory technician, research associate)*
I have discussed and received approval from my PI to mentor a NSP scholar this summer.*

I have reviewed the research project outlined below with my PI and they approve of the mentorship and research plan.
Lab affiliation within the Department of Neurobiology or Kahlert Institute for Addiction Medicine*
Mentorship Preferences (select all that apply)*

I am willing to mentor a high school student (<18 y.o.) for the 5-week summer program (25 h/week), but CANNOT commit to mentoring throughout the academic school yearI am willing to mentor a high school student (<18 y.o.) for the 5-week summer program (25 h/week), and may be willing to continue mentoring them throughout the academic school year.I am willing to mentor an undergraduate (18+) for the 5-week summer program (25 h/week)
Mentors are expected to assist their scholars with administrative processes including required laboratory/safety trainings, UMB One Card, IACUC protocol approval (ie. CICERO, LAERAP), etc.*

I acknowledge and agree to assist my scholar with administrative processes.
Are you able to provide day-to-day support for your scholar during the entirety of the summer program?*

YesNo
The Neuroscience Scholars Program will run 5 weeks, from 7/6/2026 to 8/7/2026. Are you available to host a scholar for the entire duration of this window? If not, please explain when you will be gone, and any plans you have in place to ensure a continuous, mentored experience for the scholar (e.g., secondary mentor). *
Are you willing to interview 1-3 NSP Scholar candidates and provide brief feedback? Zoom interviews will be arranged around your schedule and aproximately 15 minutes. Participating in interviews can be a helpful way to ensure a good fit for your mentor/scholar pairing!*

YesNo
Please describe the research project or question your scholar will work on this summer. Include any skills/techniques the scholar will be trained to perform. Keep in mind the compact nature of this project when proposing your question: scholars will be in the lab for 5 weeks, 5 hours per day*
Mentors are expected to attend and participate in program activities once weekly (including 3 lunches and 2 journal clubs) and to help prepare and support their scholar for these activities. A mentor guide is available upon request. Please reach out to Donna at dcalu@som.umaryland.edu for more information about the program schedule and mentor expectations.*

I acknowledge these mentor expectations and agree to communicate with program leadership in the unlikely event I am unable to attend program activities.
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