Promoting international scientific exchange within the Neurochemistry community worldwide.

The ISN Laboratory Exchange Grant supports young ISN members (Students and Postdocs) by providing funding to visit a laboratory abroad, where they can gain new technical or conceptual skills to apply in their own research, and potentially at their home institution upon returning.

Guidelines

Duration of the Visit and Funds

• At least one month (30 days) to approximately three months. Longer stays may be considered if additional funding is obtained from other sources. Applicants must return to their country of origin at the end of the stay. Travel must be undertaken within 12 months of the date of receipt of the acceptance letter or the offer will be withdrawn.
• Up to USD 5’000 per successful LEC application, depending on travel costs, accommodation costs and duration of the visit.
• Support may ONLY be used for travel (transport), accommodation and insurance. It is expected that funds for laboratory expenses will be provided by the host laboratory.

Eligibility

Candidates

• ISN Student and Postdoc Members who have continuously been a member for at least 24 months, or have published in JNC at the time of a given application round are eligible to apply. In addition, funds can only be transferred if the successful applicant is also an active ISN member in the year of the visit abroad.
• Students and Postdocs who have not continuously renewed their ISN membership each year (as indicated by their membership history) are excluded from applying.

Hosts

• Hosts must be established researchers who head an independent research group at a research institution in another country.
• Hosts must confirm in a supporting letter that costs for the proposed lab work (consumables, etc.) will be covered by the host lab.
• Each host lab may only support one visiting young ISN member via this scheme per calendar year.

Payments and Reporting Requirements

• The maximum funding amount for this grant is USD 5’000.
• The grant amount will be transferred directly to the individual account of the awardee.
• Any changes of the host laboratory or significant changes in the project require the prior approval of the LEC Chair and ISN Treasurer before funds can be expended. Failure to inform ISN in advance may lead to cancellation of the grant or a request to return the transferred support to ISN.
• Successful applicants must submit a short written report within two months of completing their visit.
• Successful applicants must post a short informative statement on the outcome of the LEC-supported visit.

Applications

The application deadline is October 31, for applications for visits from January to December of the following year.

Rating Criteria:

• Eligibility of candidate and host (see above).
• Track record of the applicant and the scientific quality of the project.
• Convincing connection of the proposed visit with the current research project of the applicant.

Required Documentation (to be submitted as a single PDF):

• Supporting letter from the host.
• Supporting letter from the supervisor/PI of the home institution.
• Application form containing:
  • 1. Career information of the applicant, including a publication list and any previous awards and funding received.
    2. Information about the host lab.
    3. Project description (3 pages max.)
    4. Budget calculation, including information on any other funds made available or requested for the same purpose (in