IBRO Neuroscience Training Grants

About the Program

The International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) Neuroscience Training Grants program provides dedicated funding to support early-career neuroscientists from under-resourced regions in covering the costs of attending neuroscience training courses.

Specialized teaching and hands-on training experiences are crucial for the career development of neuroscience researchers. The IBRO Neuroscience Training Grants are designed to support these essential opportunities, covering costs directly associated with the attendance of a neuroscience training course or school, such as fees, travel, and accommodation. By eliminating financial barriers, IBRO aims to ensure that early-career neuroscientists, particularly those from under-resourced regions, can access high-quality training. This initiative is part of IBRO’s broader commitment to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in neuroscience research and education.

This program provides funding for early-career neuroscientists to attend neuroscience training courses. For funding opportunities related to conferences, please refer to the IBRO Travel Grants instead. For scientific exchange stays in other laboratories, please refer to the IBRO Exchange Fellowships program.

Who Can Apply

• PhD students and early-career postdoctoral fellows who are within 5 years of starting their first postdoctoral fellowship.
• Applicants planning to attend a neuroscience training course starting between 1 July and 31 December 2026.

Applications from students wishing to attend an IBRO-Supported School will not be considered for this program. Please apply directly to the school of interest via the dedicated application page, as indicated in the IBRO Training page.

The IBRO Neuroscience Training Grants program accepts applications twice per year. The next round of applications will open on 15 September 2026 and will accept applications for courses starting between 1 January and 31 August 2027.

Grant Specifications

Eligible Costs

• Training course registration fees
• Travel related to the training course
• Local expenses

Ineligible Costs

• Costs related to a conference/meeting attendance
• Costs related to an exchange stay at another laboratory

Funding Priority

Funding priority will be given to applicants from underrepresented or under-resourced backgrounds, with a strong emphasis on promoting gender and regional diversity. Preference may also be given to applicants who can leverage IBRO funds as matching funds, demonstrating additional financial support from institutions or other sources.

Maximum Grant Amounts

The maximum grant amount an applicant can request varies based on their region of residence and is determined by the corresponding IBRO Regional Committee:

• Africa: 5,000 USD
• Asia-Pacific: 3,000 USD
• Latin America: 3,000 USD
• Pan-Europe: 4,500 USD
• US/Canada: 4,000 USD

Not sure what region your country of residence falls in? Check out IBRO’s country classification.

Application Details

To ensure a comprehensive and fair evaluation of applications, applicants are requested to provide the following information:

• Applicant Details: A brief description of the applicant’s academic background and current research focus.
• Course Description: Detailed information about the training course, including its relevance to the applicant’s research and career development. The course should consist of a structured program focused on education and skill development in a field closely related to neuroscience.
• Impact Statement: A comprehensive explanation of how participation in the specified course will benefit the applicant’s research and/or career trajectory.
• References: A minimum of one letter of reference supporting the applicant’s suitability for the grant and the chosen training course. One reference must be from the applicant’s current supervisor.
• Budget Request: A detailed budget breakdown, including course fees, travel costs, and local expenses associated with attending the training course. If IBRO funds will be used as matching funds, you will also be asked to provide details on the co-funding source(s) and amount(s).

Applications for this round close on May 15, 2026.