Become an Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health at GBHI

The Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program at GBHI provides innovative training, networking, and support to emerging leaders focused on improving brain health and reducing the impact of dementia in their local communities and on a global scale. It is one of seven global Atlantic Fellows programs to promote fairer, healthier, and more inclusive societies.

Join a diverse community of over 200 Atlantic Fellows from nearly 50 countries dedicated to protecting the world’s aging populations from threats to brain health. Meet the 2022-23 Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health.

Who should apply?

The program is for people from a wide range of disciplines, including the arts, sciences, economics, policy, medicine, journalism, community-based practice and much more. Whatever the discipline, we are looking for individuals working in the area of brain health and dementia who have great ideas, enthusiasm and leadership potential. Furthermore, the ideal fellow is someone who engages across disciplines, breaks down traditional barriers, and is committed to resolving issues around the inequities in brain health and dementia around the world.

Where does the fellowship take place?

Atlantic Fellows at GBHI join the full-time, residential program for 12 months at either the University of California, San Francisco (USA) or Trinity College Dublin (Ireland). This is a paid fellowship. Learn more about site opportunities.

What do Atlantic Fellows gain from the program?

Curriculum

• Fellows engage in interdisciplinary learning sessions related to brain health, dementia, and health equity including: neuroscience, health economics, social determinants of health, health policy, etc.
• Through observational, case-based and experiential learning fellows gain insight into the lived experience of people with dementia in clinical and community-based settings, and engage in projects aimed at advancing brain health.
• Fellows will develop skills that can help them succeed in acquiring funding for their future work, and improve public speaking and other forms of dissemination of ideas.
• Fellows receive leadership training aimed at setting them up to be a transformative influence on brain health around the world.
• Learn more about our approach to learning and program structure.

Career Development and Pilot Funding

Throughout the program and beyond fellows will receive career mentorship from faculty at GBHI and in their local community. Mentors will help fellows to realize their goals and be transformative and will assist them in applying for competitive pilot awards of up to $25,000 to begin an ambitious project in their home community.

Lifelong Fellowship

Becoming an Atlantic Fellow for Equity in Brain Health at GBHI doesn’t end upon completion of the program. In fact, our fellows become part of a lifelong engaged community which extends and amplifies the impact of the fellowship. The inter professional and interdisciplinary nature of the program encourages collaborations across sectors and each fellow contributes greatly to the cohort through sharing their experience and expertise.

What makes a successful candidate?

Eligibility Criteria/Expectations of Applicants

• Willingness and availability to complete 12 months of education in residence, full-time, in San Francisco (USA) or Dublin (Ireland)
• Long-term commitment to the values, mission, and goals of the program, including a potential pilot project following the fellowship year.
• The ability to bring creative and relevant projects to fruition
• Ideas that could transform the global brain health environment in vulnerable communities 
• Proficiency in English
• Successful completion of field-specific terminal degree and associated training as applicable
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required.

Engaging Local Communities

Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health come from all parts of the globe and are expected to have a meaningful impact in their home community once the fellowship is complete. To help ensure success, Atlantic Fellows must have regional support and mentorship in the communities where they hope to have impact. Applicants will be asked to outline in their applications who their regional mentors will be and how they will help them be transformative in their home country. We know that mentorship can mean different things to different people and in different places, so please read more about mentorship for further information.

Education and Training

Applicants from all disciplines and professional backgrounds are encouraged to apply. Applicants should have a strong foundation of experience and expertise and be ready to advance meaningful and impactful work. Applicants should complete the highest degree and associated training they wish to obtain in their particular field. For example, this includes but is not limited to competitive applicants who are:

• Artists or other creative professionals who would have: a portfolio, an interest in improving the lives of people living with dementia and their care partners, a public platform to showcase their portfolio, etc.

• Physicians who will have: completed an MD, residency and other fellowship specialties, have an interest in improving clinical practice, etc.

• Researchers who will have: completed a PhD and postdoctoral training, have an interest in generating and distributing knowledge to advance the field of brain health and dementia prevention. 

• Innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and other professionals who will have developed significant expertise in their field and track record of achievement.

Application Process

Applications are competitively reviewed and select applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews are by invitation only. All applicants are notified of their interview status by email.

Application Components

• Online application
• Resume or curriculum vitae
• Statements of Purpose
  • Applicants will be required to write thoughtful and succinct responses related to their interest in the program and future goals. 
• Two letters of support
  • Letters are required to demonstrate regional commitment to an applicant's success. We are looking for applicants who demonstrate leadership potential and have a support network beyond the Global Brain Health Institute. Specifically, GBHI seeks applicants with robust support networks committed to the future career and ambition of the applicant upon return to the Atlantic Fellow’s home community. These support networks may include current and past partners, institutions, organizations, employers and groups.
    
    Therefore, at least one (1) letter of reference should be from a current employer, institution, organization or group you have engaged with previously. We expect this letter to articulate support for the application and specifically address the applicant’s leadership potential. In addition, these letters should demonstrate a long-term commitment to supporting the applicant and their work after completion of the Atlantic Fellows for Equity in Brain Health program. 
     

IMPORTANT NOTE: Applicants are advised to request letters of support from their letter writers early. Applicants are responsible for contacting their preferred letter writers directly and must confirm:

• They are willing to write a letter and can submit it online by the noted deadline. 
• Their correct email address which is required for this application form. 
• They understand the Letter Writer Guidelines for Letters of Support.

Letter writers will receive an automated email with a link to submit their letter after applicants submit their application.

Applications will be considered incomplete unless all required materials have been submitted. 

Each application component is important and evaluated thoroughly.

The program is conducted in English. Applications must be submitted in English. 

After interviews have concluded, select applicants will be required to submit official transcripts for further evaluation. Detailed instructions will be provided at that stage of the application process.

French Fondation Alzheimer Atlantic Fellow Partnership

Read more about the Global Brain Health Institute and Fondation Alzheimer Partnership and Training Opportunity for French citizens.

Postdoctoral Program for Brain Health Equity

Read more about the Global Brain Health Institute and the UCSF Memory and Aging Center Postdoctoral Scholar Opportunity for US citizens and permanent residents. 

Timeline

Note deadline times are by 11:59pm Dublin, Ireland local time (IST, GMT + 1).

Deadlines

• Application Deadline: September 25, 2023
• Letters of Support Deadline: September 28, 2023

Notifications

• Interview Invitations: November 2023
• Application Status: January 2024

Sign Up

Sign up for our mailing list to receive information on the 2024 application open period and/or the GBHI Newsletter to receive application updates and other news from the program.

Questions

Please visit our Frequently Asked Questions or email apply@gbhi.org.