Early Career Awards: Jennifer N. Bourne Prize in Neuronal and Synaptic Structure and Function Grant

Early Career Awards: Jennifer N. Bourne Prize in Neuronal and Synaptic Structure and Function Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Society for Neuroscience
Amount: US $5,000
Last Updated: January 18, 2026

Summary

The Jennifer N. Bourne Prize in Neuronal and Synaptic Structure and Function honors scientists for exceptional contributions to our understanding of synapses and neural circuits at the nanometer scale. This prestigious award, funded by Kristen M. Harris, includes a $5,000 prize and covers costs for attending the SfN annual meeting. It aims to support pre-tenured faculty or non-tenure track researchers, encouraging advancements in synaptic research and technology.

Overview

Jennifer N. Bourne Prize in Neuronal and Synaptic Structure and Function The Jennifer N. Bourne Prize in Neuronal and Synaptic Structure and Function, funded by Kristen M. Harris, recognizes a scientist for outstanding work that advances our understanding of synapses in neural circuits and connectomics at the nanometer scale. The prize may be awarded for discoveries made through visualization, reconstruction, measurement, and theoretical modeling of synaptic components that predict synapse efficacy in circuits. These may include new understanding of the roles of synaptic subcellular structures (e.g., ribosomes, mitochondria, smooth endoplasmic reticulum, vesicles, cell adhesions, etc.), perisynaptic glia, and other subcellular structures that support synapse function. In addition, major advances in relevant technologies involving sample preservation, imaging, reconstruction, and data storage and dissemination will be considered. Recipients receive a $5,000 prize and complimentary registration, transportation (economy air or ground), and two nights hotel accommodations for the SfN annual meeting. The prize is presented at the SfN annual meeting. About Dr. Jennifer Bourne: Dr. Jennifer N. Bourne was a beloved friend and colleague. She was an anatomist, electrophysiologist, and above all a passionate electron microscopist whose papers on structural plasticity at synapses are considered classics in the field. The serial electron microscopy volumes she imaged across the time course of long-term potentiation are broadly mined by scientists eager to understand synaptic plasticity in neural circuits. As the director of an electron microscopy core facility, Jennifer shared her expertise with researchers across the world and fostered the careers of neuroscientists.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The purpose of this prize is to foster the next generation of synapse scientists, hence, the prize will be limited to pre-tenured faculty or persons in non-tenure track research positions at any stage of their career who have demonstrated relevant scientific contributions. Nomination Criteria:Nominations must be made or endorsed by an SfN member.Nominees do not need to be SfN members.A person be nominated for more than one award in the same year, although a person can only win one award per year.

Ineligibility

Nomination Criteria:Self-nomination is not permitted.No person may nominate more than one candidate.Current SfN officers and councilors are ineligible for nomination.Due to the potential conflicts of interest, members of the selection committee may not be the nominees and they cannot serve as nominators nor write letters of recommendation.