The Leon Levy Scholarships in Neuroscience

Benefits & funding

• An annual stipend equal to 125% of the NIH postdoctoral rate for the scholar’s postdoctoral year, plus fringe benefits at the host institution’s rate.
• A one-time US$2,000 flexible technology and travel allowance.
• An annual supplement of up to US$10,000 for care costs such as dependent care.
• Three years of New York Academy of Sciences membership, structured mentorship, leadership and skills workshops, scholar and alumni networking, and grant-writing support.
• Host-institution indirect support at its published rate when below 20%, capped at 20%.

Eligibility

• By September 1, 2027, hold a doctoral degree such as a PhD, DPhil, MD, DDS, or DVM.
• By the appointment date, hold a full-time postdoctoral position at an accredited nonprofit academic institution in one of New York City’s five boroughs that conducts original neuroscience research; applicants should have their proposed Research Advisor’s support when applying.
• Have no more than three years of cumulative postdoctoral experience; the doctoral degree cannot be dated before September 1, 2024.
• Conduct neuroscience or a neuroscience sub-discipline during the scholarship.
• By appointment, qualify through at least one published route: U.S. citizenship, U.S. national status, permanent residence, a J-1 Research Scholar or H-1B status valid for the full award, DACA, Jay Treaty rights, Temporary Protected Status, asylum, refugee status, or a conditionally considered visa.
• Previous recipients of a Leon Levy Fellowship cannot apply; the program places no cap on applications from an institution or laboratory.
• Scholars devote all working time to the funded proposal, except those with clinical obligations may spend up to 20% of their time on those duties.

Application process

1. 1
   Create or access an account in the official application portal and complete the form, including the proposed Research Advisor, three potential mentors, and the first postdoctoral-position start date.
2. 2
   Upload a CV covering training, employment, publications, honors, grants, scientific leadership, and other requested achievements.
3. 3
   Submit a research proposal of no more than 1,400 words excluding references, covering significance, aims, a three-year research plan, optional preliminary results, future directions, and impact.
4. 4
   Submit a professional service and diversity, equity, and inclusion statement of no more than 500 words.
5. 5
   Submit a career development plan of no more than 500 words connecting short- and long-term goals to the scholarship.
6. 6
   Nominate three confidential letter writers: the proposed Research Advisor and two other recommenders.
7. 7
   Ensure every component, including confidential letters, is submitted by October 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST.

Program timeline

1. Applications open.

   August 21, 2026

2. Online information sessions.

   September 15 and September 18, 2026

3. Application deadline.

   October 16, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. EST

4. Applicants are notified of decisions.

   March 2027

5. Scholars are publicly announced.

   April 2027

6. Scholarship begins and scholars must be in residence in New York City.

   September 1, 2027

7. Scholarship ends.

   August 31, 2030