Simons Collaboration on Plasticity and the Aging Brain (SCPAB) Transition to Independence Award

Up to 5 years.

SCPAB’s TTI Award program supports talented early-career scientists by facilitating their transition to research independence in the field of cognitive aging by providing up to two (2) years of postdoctoral support as well as three (3) years of grant funding at the start of their professorships.

Upper:  $750,000USD

Fellows will receive up to two (2) years of postdoctoral support with an annual salary of $70,000, fringe benefits, an annual resource and professional development allowance of $10,000, and indirect costs (limited to 20 percent of modified total direct costs, see Simons Foundation policies), followed by a commitment of $600,000 over three (3) years, including indirect costs (limited to 20 percent of modified total direct costs, see Simons Foundation policies), activated upon assumption of a tenure-track research professorship.

This request for applications (RFA) is aimed at Ph.D. and M.D.-holding scientists who are currently in training positions but intend to seek tenure-track research faculty positions during the upcoming academic job cycle.

• The program application is open to individuals who are from racial, ethnic and other groups underrepresented in cognitive aging, including individuals with disabilities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. This includes, but is not limited to, any individual identifying as Hispanic or Latine, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander or American Indian or Alaska Native. We will consider applicants to have come from a disadvantaged background if they meet at least two (2) of the following criteria:
  • Were or currently are homeless;
  • Were or currently are in the foster care system;
  • Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program* for two or more years;
  • Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree;
  • Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell* grants;
  • Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children* as a parent or child;
  • Grew up in one of the following areas: a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, or b) Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file). Only one of the two (2) possibilities in this bullet can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • * For non-U.S. applicants, please consider approximately equivalent programs.
• Applicants must hold a Ph.D., M.D. or equivalent degree.
• Applicants must be currently in non-independent, mentored training positions, as recognized by their institution. See FAQ for guidelines.
• Applicants must be actively seeking a tenure-track position at an institution of higher education during the next job cycle.
• Applicants are not eligible if they are recipients of other career development awards with similar budgetary scopes as the SCPAB Transition to Independence Award. See FAQ for more information.
• Applicants must not have accepted a formal offer for a tenure-track faculty position.
• There are no citizenship requirements.

Additionally, please note that beginning with the 2024 SCPAB TTI RFA, applicants will be limited to one application resubmission (a total of two (2) submissions to the SCPAB TTI RFA).

You are strongly encouraged to contact SCPAB before applying if you are unsure of whether you meet the eligibility criteria above.