Apply for the BMBH Emerging Scholars Program 2027–28

Are you a postdoc or early career faculty member with an interest in brain health and health disparities? The Black Men’s Brain Health (BMBH) Emerging Scholars Program is recruiting its sixth cohort, an 18-month programme of mentoring, training and networking for researchers looking at brain ageing among Black men. Applications close on 26 October 2026.

Black men are under-represented in brain health research, both as participants and in the evidence base that shapes care. The programme, run from the R.W. Turner Lab at Duke University, aims to grow the group of scientists working to change that. Scholars get time with leading national researchers, regular mentoring, and links with community organisations, building towards a research project of their own.

A centrepiece is the annual BMBH Conference, held each year in the city hosting the Super Bowl, which will also launch a Research Directory for Black men’s brain health.

Who can apply

The programme is for early career scientists, defined as either:

• a postdoctoral fellow, or
• an assistant professor within 10 years of appointment at an accredited university.

You’ll need a demonstrated interest in health disparities research and in increasing Black men’s participation in brain health science. You must be able to attend the 2027 and 2028 BMBH Conferences in the US and take part in the virtual professional development workshops. The organisers welcome applicants from all backgrounds and regions, and they particularly encourage researchers based near the Super Bowl host city who want to work closely with local community partners.

What’s involved

This is a real commitment, so check you can give it the time before applying. Over the 18 months, scholars will:

• attend the 2027 and 2028 BMBH Conferences, the Emerging Scholars preconference each year, and the Cohort 6 kick-off webinar
• meet monthly with mentors, with a written progress update, and join an annual check-in with the BMBH Principal Investigators
• complete four mandatory 90-minute professional development workshops
• write an Individual Development Plan, with five follow-up reports, plus a twice-yearly progress report
• develop a Specific Aims page and submit a microgrant proposal
• carry out a research project on Black men’s brain health and present it as a poster at the 2028 conference.

If you’re new to mentoring or wondering what a structured scheme like this could do for you, it’s the sort of programme that can shape the next few years of a research career.

How to apply

There are two parts. First, complete the online application form. Then upload:

• your CV or NIH Biosketch
• a letter of support from your department or fellowship chair, confirming you’ll be given time to attend every programme event and work on a research project on Black men’s brain health
• a 600-word statement of purpose covering your experience in ageing, brain health, community-based methods or health disparities (with an explicit focus on Black men), how your past work led you here if the topic is new to you, and what you want from the programme in relation to your career goals.

The letter of support is the part most likely to hold you up, so ask for it early. Successful applicants will be told by 30 November 2026. Full details are on the BMBH Emerging Scholars Program page, with answers to common questions on the programme FAQ. Questions can go to emergingscholars@mensbrainhealth.org.

Applications close: 26 October 2026

Apply now