Neural Systems & Behavior
Neural Systems & Behavior supports graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and independent investigators with hands-on neuroscience training to explore the neural basis of behavior, perception, and cognition.
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Funder: Grass Foundation
Due Dates: February 2, 2027 (Application) | June 1–July 12, 2027 (Course)
Funding Amounts: Need-based MBL scholarships typically cover 50–100% of student need for the six-week course
Summary: Supports hands-on neuroscience training in the neural mechanisms underlying behavior, perception, and cognition.
Key Information: Intended for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and independent investigators; limited to 20 participants.
Description
Neural Systems & Behavior is an intensive six-week laboratory and lecture course at the Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL), supported in part by the Grass Foundation. Directed by Bruce Carlson of Washington University and Lauren O’Connell of Stanford University, it explores neural systems at molecular, cellular, and organismal levels through lectures, exercises, and independent projects.
Training is organized into two-week cycles using diverse vertebrate and invertebrate experimental preparations. Participants develop skills in electrophysiology, neuroanatomy, and quantitative analysis, then investigate additional systems with teams of experts. Topics include learning and plasticity, sensory processing, sensory-motor integration, spatial memory, and social communication. The goal is broad exposure to approaches for investigating the neural basis of behavior, rather than training in a particular technique.
