Neuroscience Research Prize

Scholarship Sponsored by American Academy of Neurology

Description

Description: This award encourages high school students to investigate the brain and nervous system through original research, rewards promising young neuroscientists, and recognizes supportive science teachers.

The program targets student-led neuroscience research that demonstrates scientific skill, creativity, and potential for future contributions to the field. It emphasizes original work by the applicant and supports exploration in a variety of settings, including nontraditional labs. Teachers and mentors are encouraged to guide students while allowing them to produce independent projects and written reports.

• Recognizes student research and teacher support in neuroscience.
• Supports original, student-led projects in diverse settings.
• Focuses on promising scientific potential rather than institutional resources.

Eligibility

Eligibility: Applicants must be enrolled in grades 9–12 at a U.S. secondary school and submit original research and writing.

Projects must be the work of an individual student; group projects are not eligible. Research may take place outside formal laboratory environments provided the work is original and properly documented. Immediate family members of judges, the AAN Science Committee, or AAN staff are ineligible to apply.

• Open to students in U.S. secondary schools (grades 9–12).
• Individual, original research and writing required.
• Family members of organizers and judges are excluded.

Application requirements

Application requirements: Applicants must submit a completed application with an abstract, full research report, and bibliography, and secure required e-signatures.

Abstracts are limited to 300 words. In addition to the written materials, the application requires electronic signatures from a parent/guardian, the student’s teacher, and any mentor before the submission can be processed. Ensure all contributors are aware of the e-signature requirement to avoid delays.

1. Completed application form
2. Maximum 300-word abstract
3. Research report
4. Bibliography
5. E-signatures from parent/guardian, teacher, and mentor

• Abstract length is capped at 300 words.
• Complete research report and bibliography are required for review.
• E-signatures are mandatory to finalize the submission.

Rounds

Rounds: Applications undergo two rounds of review by physicians and scientists engaged in neuroscience research, with four prize winners selected overall.

All submissions are assessed in the first round, which is based on the abstract alone; the top applications advance to a final round for comprehensive review of the full project. Reviewers are drawn from academic institutions across the United States and evaluate finalists in detail before selecting winners. The multi-stage process ensures broad initial screening followed by in-depth evaluation of leading entries.

• Two-stage review: abstract screening followed by full project review.
• Panel composed of neuroscience physicians and scientists.
• Four prize winners are chosen after the final round.

Judging criteria

Judging criteria: Judging evaluates relevance to neuroscience, abstract quality, research potential, and — for finalists — creativity, data interpretation, and report quality.

The first round focuses on the abstract’s clarity, relevance to brain or nervous system topics, and the project’s research potential. Finalists are judged on broader factors including originality of approach, feasibility and interpretation of methods and data, and the organization and readability of the research report and accompanying figures. Behavior- or psychology-focused projects should demonstrate a clear link to neurophysiology to be competitive.

• First-round emphasis: relevance to neuroscience, abstract clarity, and research potential.
• Final-round emphasis: creativity, interpretation of data, and quality of the research report.
• Behavioral projects must clearly connect to neurophysiology to be encouraged.