Awards

With this Diversity prize, The ALBA Network and the The FENS-Kavli Scholars wish to highlight a scientist or group that has made outstanding contributions to promoting equality and diversity in 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 or group that has made outstanding contributions to this effort, including but not limited to advocacy, mentorship or the creation of diversity-promoting initiatives.

This prize will be awarded by the ALBA and FKNE networks, annually, at either the FENS Forum or the FENS Regional Meetings (FRM).

Prize: The awardee will receive €2000 and financial support to cover travel and participation for one person in the conference where the prize will be awarded (up to an additional €2000, depending on actual costs).

Procedures: Both nomination of someone else or a group of individuals and self-nomination are encouraged. Nominations should include a statement (max. 1 page) indicating the merits of the nominee or group on promoting equality and diversity in the field of brain sciences and any relevant activities organised by the nominee or group to contribute to this goal.

Eligibility: Brain science researchers at any career stage working at least 50% in a European institution or brain science research institution or group of eligible individuals based in Europe.

The first call for this prize was held in 2020 (December 2019-March 2020). The winner was announced and celebrated at the FENS 2020 Virtual Forum.

The next call will open in January 2021.

The ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize Selection Committee is composed of:
FKNE Members: Dr. Andrew Lin (Chair), Dr. Sonja Vernes, Dr. Laura Andreae 
ALBA Members: Prof. Menno Witter, Prof. Elisabeth Binder and Prof. Carmen Sandi