Jointly launched by the VBHI, the Ban Ki-moon Foundation and the Paris Brain Institute, in collaboration with the Global Brain Care Coalition and the Global Brain Health Institute, the Global Brain Care Scholars Programme aims to train the next generation of leaders committed to brain health.
8 to 22 September 2026: Launch of applications for the Global Brain Care Scholars Programme
The Global Brain Care Scholars Programme aims to reduce the impact of stroke, dementia and depression in the Global South, by investing in ambitious capacity-building, training and mentoring initiatives in order to empower local brain health stakeholders.
Applications are open from 8 to 22 September 2026 at https://bankimoon.org/braincarescholars
Ten young researchers and professionals from across the Global South will be selected, in order to benefit from a programme combining scientific training, personalised mentoring and the implementation of an impact project within their community.
Who can apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be aged 20 to 35.
- Work in the field of brain health, notably as a doctor, neurologist, psychiatrist, community health worker, neuroscientist, neuroengineer, artificial intelligence and digital health professional, public health researcher, or social worker.
- Have experience in research, care, advocacy, public policy, digital innovation or related fields.
- Hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) or higher.
- Have a minimum English level of B2.
- Be a citizen or national of one of the following countries: Argentina, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Paraguay, Peru, Senegal, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Thailand and Venezuela. Two places will be open to participants from low-, lower-middle-, and upper-middle-income countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Global Brain Health Institute and the BrainLat Institute will coordinate the selection of participants from this region.
- Be willing to design and implement a local brain health impact project between February and June 2027.
- Applicants must be available to attend at least 80% of all virtual sessions and fully participate in mentorship activities and reporting requirements throughout the 12-month program. Attendance at the one-week Winter School in Paris is mandatory.
- Keen to learn more about stroke, dementia, and depression, the economic models and entrepreneurship surrounding them, and innovative methods to promote prevention during an in-person winter school in Paris in January 2027.
A complete programme in several stages
The Global Brain Care Scholars Programme will begin with an online launch meeting, followed by an in-person winter school at the Institut du Cerveau in January 2027, fully covered and funded. This week of training will allow participants to exchange with international experts and acquire scientific and entrepreneurial knowledge on the main issues of brain health.
Between February and June 2027, participants will lead and carry out a Changemaker Project, which will consist of putting in place a concrete action to improve brain health within their own community. To support the completion of this project, an €800 grant will be awarded to them once the project has been submitted and approved.
At the end of the programme, the three best Changemaker Projects will be rewarded. Their authors will receive support enabling them to participate in a larger-scale international conference.
All participants will also be awarded a certificate attesting to the successful completion of the programme and their project, signed by the three founding institutions of the Global Brain Care Scholars Programme.
The Global Brain Care Scholars Programme will begin during October 2026 and will end in September 2027. It will therefore extend over a period of 12 months.
Constant and personalised support throughout the programme
Throughout the programme, candidates will participate in virtual workshops led by international experts, encouraging knowledge-sharing and exchanges with the global community dedicated to brain health.
Each participant will also benefit from individual mentoring provided by an experienced professional in their field. This personalised support will allow candidates to benefit from tailored advice, contribute to skills development, while also promoting the professional development of each participant.
Do you meet all the criteria and have a project in mind? Don’t wait any longer to submit your application at https://bankimoon.org/braincarescholars!
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