What We Support

Presidential Scholars Program

Each year, the program appoints up to three postdoctoral Scholars for a three-year term. Scholars are recent graduates (PhD or other terminal doctoral-level degree) in the arts, humanities, social sciences, or from neuroscience and related fields. Scholars are selected through a competitive application process based on their comprehensive backgrounds and interdisciplinary research proposals.

The Presidential Scholars each select at least two senior mentors: one drawn from Columbia’s neuroscience, psychology, or biology faculty, and the other(s) from faculty in the arts, humanities, or social sciences. Mentors work closely with the Scholar to provide necessary training and guidance for his/her three-year research project. Scholars are independently supported by the program.

Scholars and mentors form a core group that meet regularly to discuss ongoing research and to organize an interdisciplinary speaker series, Seminars in Society and Neuroscience. The Scholars’ research is showcased yearly at an event open to the public.

Research and Seed Grants

Up to five seed grants are awarded each year for Interdisciplinary Projects in Society and Neuroscience. Seed grants support collaborative research and teaching initiatives at Columbia University that bring together neuroscientists and faculty members from other disciplines, as well as other projects that cross disciplinary boundaries to investigate issues relevant to society and neuroscience.