[American Academy of Neurology](https://www.aan.com)

October 2026

Up to $1,000 per winner; travel and meeting expenses covered for winners and a parent/mentor

Encourages and rewards high school students for outstanding neuroscience research and recognizes supportive science teachers.

--- ## Description The AAN Neuroscience Research Prize is designed to inspire high school students to explore neuroscience through original research projects. Sponsored by the American Academy of Neurology and the Child Neurology Society, the prize recognizes students whose scientific skills and creativity suggest future potential in neuroscience. Winners receive not only a monetary award but also opportunities to present their work at major neuroscience meetings and receive recognition for themselves and their supporting teachers. --- ## Due Dates - October 2026 (full application deadline, anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Three winners of the AAN Neuroscience Research Prize each receive: - $1,000 cash prize - Certificate of recognition - Opportunity to present at the AAN Annual Meeting (Chicago, IL) - Travel: Coach airfare for winner and a parent/mentor, two nights’ hotel, $100/day per diem (up to two days), and complimentary meeting registration - One winner of the Bhuwan Garg High School Neuroscience Research Prize receives: - $1,000 honorarium - Certificate of recognition - Opportunity to present at the Child Neurology Society Annual Meeting - Travel: Airfare for winner and a parent/mentor, three nights’ lodging, ground transportation, and complimentary meeting registration Travel and in-person benefits are dependent on the ability to hold the meetings in person. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be enrolled in secondary school (grades 9–12) in the United States, regardless of age. - Projects must be original research and original written work of the applicant. - Projects do not need to be conducted in formal laboratory settings. - Only individual projects are eligible; group projects are not accepted. - Teachers may provide guidance, but the work must reflect the student’s own creativity. - Family members of judges, the AAN Science Committee, or AAN staff are not eligible. --- ## Application Process - Submit a completed application form online. - Include a maximum 300-word abstract, a research report, and a bibliography. - Obtain e-signatures from your parent/guardian, teacher, and mentor (required for submission). - Applications are reviewed in two rounds: - **First round:** Based on the quality and clarity of the research abstract. - **Final round:** Comprehensive review of top applications, focusing on relevance to neuroscience, creativity, interpretation of data, and quality of the research report. --- ## Additional Information - Projects must concern the brain or nervous system (anatomy, physiology, pathology, function, or behavior). Purely behavioral or psychology projects are discouraged unless they clearly link to neurophysiology. - Winners will be notified by the end of January following the application deadline. - For more details, see the [AAN Neuroscience Research Prize page](https://www.aan.com/research/neuroscience-research-prize). --- ## External Links - [AAN Neuroscience Research Prize Program Page](https://www.aan.com/research/neuroscience-research-prize) - [American Academy of Neurology Home](https://www.aan.com) - [AAN Account Creation/Login (required for application)](https://www.aan.com/nonmember-account-creation/) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | Web Contact | |--------------------------|---------------------------------|-----------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Katie Anderson, Scientific Education Program Manager | science@aan.com | (800) 879-1960 | [AAN Contact Page](https://www.aan.com/about-the-aan/contact-us) |

AAN Neuroscience Research Prize

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