The Japan Neuroscience Society (JNS) Altman Award in Developmental Neuroscience

On April 19, 2016, Dr. Joseph Altman, who discovered adult neurogenesis in the cerebral cortex and received the International Prize for Biology from His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, passed away. Dr. Shirley A. Bayer, Dr. Altman’s widow who conducted research with him for over 30 years, offered to make a donation to the Japan Neuroscience Society (JNS) with the goal of instituting an award in developmental neuroscience. Accordingly, after discussion in a JNS special committee, the Board of Directors of JNS, at the Board meeting on July 19, 2016, decided that JNS would establish and administer the Altman Award in Developmental Neuroscience (hereinafter “the Award”). JNS now announces the first call for applications for the Award.

• Scope of the Award: Research in developmental neuroscience at the tissue and cellular levels. The scope of the Award is not limited to phenomena during fetal or developmental stages; it also includes adult neurogenesis and its biological significance and its changes resulting from aging and diseases. (As a general rule, applied studies are not included within the scope of the Award.)
• Eligibility: As a general rule, researchers who have received their doctorate degree within the past 15 years. (Not limited to members of JNS.)
• Supplemental Prize: 10,000 USD (Fixed amount if the Award is granted to two or more recipients.)
• Selection Criteria: An article of which the applicant is a corresponding author and which was published within two years of the application deadline shall be the primary criteria evaluated. Prior achievements shall also be taken into account. If two or more corresponding authors, such authors shall not apply for the Award separately. They can apply jointly and they will be co-recipients if they are successful.
• How to Apply: Applications shall be submitted to the Award website at http://www.jnss.org/awards/altman-award_en/

The following three sets of documents are required to be uploaded.

1. The applicant’s article which was published within two years of the application deadline (PDF of article),
2. Other articles representing the applicant’s achievements (PDF of two articles), and
3. Resume (in any form)

• Obligation of the Recipient: To make a presentation at the 40th JNS Annual Meeting, which will be held in Makuhari, Japan on July 20-22, 2017 (economy-class tickets and an accommodation fee will be provided for the recipient if he/she is an overseas researcher and will fly to Japan).
• Deadline Date: Applications must be received by 31 January 2017
• Method of Selection and Notification of the Result: The Selection Committee will evaluate the applications to determine the recipient. The applicants will be notified of the selection results by the end of March 2017.
• Award Ceremony: The Award recipient will be recognized and presented with the prize money for research funding at the 40 JNS Annual Meeting held 20-22 July 2017.