The Leon Levy Scholarships in Neuroscience (LLSN)

About the opportunity

The Leon Levy Scholarships in Neuroscience (LLSN) program aims to promote groundbreaking neuroscience research in the five boroughs of New York City. The Scholarships support the most innovative young researchers at a critical stage of their careers—their postdoctoral research—as they develop the new ideas and directions that will help establish them as independent neuroscientists. The program seeks to cultivate excellence and innovation in a diverse neuroscience workforce, provide enhanced research autonomy, help Scholars develop professional skills such as grant writing and neuroethics, and build an engaged alumni community.

Funding and benefits

• Annual stipend equal to 125% of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) postdoctoral rate, according to the postdoctoral year
• Fringe benefits at the host institution's rate for postdoctoral Scholars
• US$2,000 flexible technology and travel allowance as a one-time award
• Annual supplement of up to US$10,000 to support care costs (e.g., dependent care)
• Indirect support to the host institution allowed at the standard published rate if less than 20% and capped at 20%
• 3-year Membership to The New York Academy of Sciences
• Participation in a structured Mentorship Program for Leon Levy Scholars
• Access to leadership and skills-building workshops through The New York Academy of Sciences
• Access to the community of past and present Leon Levy Scholars and Fellows
• Grant writing support

Who can apply?

• Hold a doctoral degree (PhD, DPhil, MD, DDS, DVM, etc.) by the time of appointment on September 1, 2027
• Hold a full-time postdoctoral position at an eligible accredited non-profit academic institution located within New York City's five boroughs, or an institution that has obtained eligibility prior to the closing of the application period
• Possess no more than three (3) years of cumulative postdoctoral experience (doctoral degrees cannot be dated before September 1, 2024)
• Conduct research in Neuroscience or one of its sub-disciplines while holding the Scholarship
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, holder of J-1 Research Scholar status or an H-1B Temporary Employee Status visa valid for the full tenure of the Scholarship, an individual granted deferred action status under DACA, an Indigenous individual exercising rights under the Jay Treaty of 1794, an individual granted Temporary Protected Status, an Asylee, a Refugee, or hold a conditional visa

Required documents

• Application Form (including personal details, neuroscience sub-disciplinary category, Research Advisor details, and contact information for three potential mentors)
• Curriculum Vitae (including education, employment history, honors, peer-reviewed publications, patents, research grants, scientific leadership, and invited talks)
• Research Proposal (maximum 1400 words, including Background & Significance, Aims, Research Plan, Preliminary Results, and Future Directions and Impact)
• Professional Service and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement (maximum 500 words)
• Career Development Plan (maximum 500 words)
• Three (3) confidential Letters of Support (one from the proposed Research Advisor and two from other recommenders such as previous advisors or collaborators)

When to apply

• Applications open: August 21, 2026
• Information sessions: September 15 and September 18, 2026
• Applications close: October 16, 2026
• Applicants notified of outcome: March 2027
• Scholars publicly announced: April 2027
• Leon Levy Scholarships period begins: September 1, 2027

How to apply

• Review the program guidelines and applicant eligibility criteria.
• Prepare all required application documents, including CV, Research Proposal, DEI statement, and Career Development Plan.
• Secure agreement from your proposed Research Advisor to support your application and research project for the full duration.
• Nominate three individuals to submit confidential letters of support via the web portal.
• Submit your complete application through the online application portal by October 16, 2026.

Additional information

• Selected Scholars must dedicate 100% of their time to the funded research proposal unless they have a clinical obligation, in which case they may spend up to 20% of their time on clinical obligations.
• Scholarships run for a 36-month period from September 1, 2027, to August 31, 2030.
• Scholars are expected to attend the New Scholar Orientation, participate in the annual Leon Levy Symposium, attend quarterly virtual Group Seminars, and provide annual and final progress reports.
• The program strongly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, and individuals identifying as Black, Indigenous, or People of Color (BIPOC) and other underrepresented groups in STEM.