Trainee Enhancement Opportunities

The McKnight Brain Institute (MBI) at the University of Florida invites applications for funds to support Trainee Enhancement Opportunities (TEOs). Eligible individuals include those involved in either basic or clinical neuroscience research training, including students from Ph.D., M.D. and combined doctoral programs, as well as postdoctoral and/or clinical fellows. Candidates must be a member of the MBI for consideration. Individuals who have received at least $10,000 in MBI funding within the past fiscal year are not eligible to apply for this award.

This new program is designed to support training opportunities that cannot be supported by the trainee’s normal program. Although we envision that most applications will focus on development of teaching, outreach, industry or research opportunities, we also encourage creative ideas that fall outside of these categories. Trainees are encouraged to consult with their mentors and/or the head of the MBI Education and Outreach TEO Subcommittee (Dr. Jada Lewis, secretary@mbi.ufl.edu) to develop a plan to best fit their career goals.

This opportunity is available to any student in a Ph.D., M.D. or combined doctoral training program, or clinical or research fellowship at UF, as long as the proposed training directly relates to neuroscience and is not otherwise funded by another mechanism. Requests to replace existing funds will not be considered.

Applications include:

  1. A one page, signed cover letter that includes the name of the trainee, the trainee’s current program, and a description of the training opportunity including how it will enhance the trainee’s career in neuroscience.
  2. A budget not to exceed $5,000 that has been developed with the trainee’s relevant financial staff.
  3. Two letters of recommendation submitted separately. 
  • a. The first letter of recommendation must be from the trainee’s program supervisor which should include a statement that s/he supports the submission of the application. If there is an associated Chair, the program supervisor should also include a statement confirming that the Chair has also agreed to the submission of the application.
  • b. The second letter of recommendation should be from the person who will directly oversee the training opportunity. If, using these parameters, the first and second letter would come from the same individual, then the second letter can originate from any person who knows the candidate in an academic or professional capacity.