TRANSCENDS Program

AWARDS AND FUNDING

The AAN is collaborating with the Medical University of South Carolina (MUSC) to offer The TRANSCENDS (Training in Research for Academic Neurologists to Sustain Careers and Enhance the Numbers of Diverse Scholars) Scholars program. This program is funded by a National Institutes of Health (NIH) R25 grant and is being administered by MUSC and the AAN. The TRANSCENDS program is designed to train promising early-career neurologists to conduct high-quality neurologic research and achieve a successful academic career.

Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2024. Contact us with your questions.

Program Details

Interested individuals must apply for the program. Up to six will be selected to participate in 2024, with more positions available in subsequent years. Selected participants will receive:

A Master of Science degree in clinical research (preferred) through the Medical University of South Carolina by completing a primarily online two-year course curriculum (38 credit hours) OR a certificate in clinical research through the Medical University of South Carolina by completing a primarily online one-year course curriculum (19 credit hours)
Mentoring and support in the development of their current research portfolio
Preparation and review (by a defense committee) of K-type grant application. Submission of the grant to a funding agency is encouraged.
AAN member benefits
Opportunities to present research and network with leadership at the AAN Annual Meeting

Eligibility

Eligibility is limited to US citizens/permanent US residents who are disabled and/or belong to an underrepresented in medicine group including Black/African American, Hispanic, Latino, Native American, Pacific Islander, Native Alaskan, or Hawaiian, and are in any of the following career stages:

Individuals currently within 3 years of their first faculty appointment (neurology, neurosurgery, neurocritical care, neuroradiology, neuropsychiatry; internal medicine, family medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, hematology, nephrology, rheumatology, physiatrists, geriatrics, pediatrics)
Current post-residency fellows (neurology, neurosurgery, neurocritical care, neuroradiology, neuropsychiatry; internal medicine, family medicine, cardiology, endocrinology, physiatrists, geriatrics, pediatrics) or
Current post-doctoral researchers (translational scientists, epidemiologists, health services)

Please contact us if you have questions about your eligibility.

Application Requirements

Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2024.

TRANSCENDS Application (required): Download the application and complete it entirely, including the following fields:
- Describe your past research activities (if any), current research interests, and future research plans (300-word minimum and 500-word maximum - figures or graphics can be included in a separate attachment).
- Please provide a Statement of Interest for participation in the program (500 words or less).
- Tip: You may find it useful to write your research descriptions and statements of interest in separate documents and paste them into the fields in the application PDF.
- Please include a letter from your department chair or supervisor that expresses the support of your participation in and your time commitment to this program.
Letter from Department Chair or Supervisor (required): Download the recommendation letter template. The letter should indicate the support of your participation and time commitment to the program.
Two Letters of Recommendation (required): Download the letter of recommendation form. Ensure all fields have been completed by your recommender, including the field for a free-form letter of recommendation. Include both letter recommendation forms in your single application email.
Curriculum Vitae (CV) or Resume (required)
Biosketch (encouraged)

Please submit ALL application materials attached in a single email.