Invitation of IBRO School proposals

Dear JNS members,

As the Chair of the IBRO-Asian Pacific Regional Committee (APRC) I would like to inform you that APRC invites proposals for IBRO School, IBRO Associate School and IBRO Advanced School for the year 2015. Usually US$40,000 is allotted to IBRO School and IBRO Advanced School on the condition that organizers prepare a matching fund from local sources with which they can manage the school smoothly. In case of Associate School usually US$20,000 is allotted and preparation of local matching funds is not a condition.

All proposals will be evaluated by APRC and then the budget plan submitted from APRC to the IBRO central will be evaluated by IBRO committees, and so I cannot guarantee approval of the proposals at this stage. The form of application is free, but should be concise (within 2 pages). I would like to receive proposals by the end of June, 2014.

Principles of IBRO-APRC School, Advanced School, and Associate School

  • Our structured 3-tier programs provide different learning platforms for young neuroscientists at different stages of their career.
  • The organizer should support students with round-trip tickets to the school site and accommodation and meals during the school.
  • Students are selected by APRC to ensure admission at the right level.
  1. Associate School
    • Each Associate School accommodates 20–40 students, who are mostly domestic (but may include some international students).
    • A schedule of no fewer than 5 days is expected.
    • Each consists of lectures, group discussion (with computer search for relevant articles). Experimental components are not mandatory.
    • Students are MBBS, MSc and PhD students.

  2. School
    • Each School accommodates around 20-30 students for lectures, tutorials & laboratory projects. At least half of the students should be international.
    • A schedule of 2 weeks is expected.
    • Students are senior PhD students and postdocs, with adequate exposure to at least one research technique during their graduate studies. Applicants are expected to have at least 1 publication.
    • Students will have hands-on experience on well-defined laboratory projects. Students are expected to acquire knowledge of both theoretical and technological advances in key areas of neuroscience research. They make presentations at the end.

  3. Advanced School
    • Each Advanced School accommodates around 10 students. At least half of the students should be international.
    • A schedule of 10 days or longer is expected.
    • Small student-teacher ratio caters for in-depth interaction.
    • The host laboratory (or laboratories) should have world-top-level advanced technologies, which have been demonstrated by publications.
    • Lectures, seminars and problem-based learning on the design of research projects. Laboratory works should be emphasized. Students make presentations at the end.
    • To provide additional intellectual exposure to senior postdocs and junior faculties who have good research training and good publication records.
    • Preference will be given to IBRO alumni of previous 2-week Schools. Applicants are expected to have at least 1 publication.

Sincerely yours,
Keiji Tanaka, Ph. D.
Chair of IBRO-APRC