The Black Men’s Brain Health (BMBH) Emerging Scholars Program is recruiting its sixth cohort. It is an 18-month programme for early career investigators working on brain ageing among Black men, combining structured mentoring, a microgrant, travel support and professional development built around two annual BMBH Conferences.
The programme runs from the R.W. Turner Lab at Duke University, with the conference series funded by sponsors including the Alzheimer’s Association, the National Institute on Aging and the NFL Alumni Association. The conference is deliberately held during Super Bowl week, and partnership with community organisations local to the host city is a core part of the model. The 2027 conference takes place from 9 to 11 February in Los Angeles, with the Emerging Scholars pre-conference day on 9 February.
Who can apply?
To be eligible you must:
- show a demonstrated interest in expanding research in health disparities paradigms and in Black men’s participation in brain health science
- be an early career scientist, meaning either a postdoctoral fellow, or an assistant professor within 10 years of academic appointment at an accredited university
- be available to attend the 2027 and 2028 BMBH Conferences
- be available to take part in the virtual professional development workshops
Applicants from all backgrounds and geographic regions are welcomed. Scholars affiliated with institutions near the Super Bowl host city are particularly encouraged to apply, given the community engagement element of the programme.
What scholars commit to
This is a fellowship with real obligations rather than a prize. Over the 18 months, scholars are expected to:
- attend the 2027 and 2028 BMBH Conferences, and both Emerging Scholars pre-conferences
- attend the Cohort 6 Emerging Scholars kick-off webinar
- prepare an Individual Development Plan, with five scheduled follow-up reports
- submit a microgrant proposal to programme leadership
- meet monthly with their mentors, submitting a written progress update each time
- submit a bi-annual progress report
- attend four mandatory professional development workshops of 90 minutes each
- take part in an annual check-in meeting with the BMBH Principal Investigators
- develop a Specific Aims page
- develop a research project on Black men’s brain health, including a poster to be presented at the 2028 BMBH Annual Conference
How to apply
Applications come in two parts. First, complete the online application form. Second, upload the following documents:
- a Curriculum Vitae or NIH Biosketch
- a letter of support from your department or fellowship chair, confirming that you will be given time to attend all scheduled programme events and to work on a research project specific to Black men’s brain health
- a 600-word statement of purpose explaining your alignment with Black men’s brain health research
The statement of purpose should cover your experience in or contributions to ageing, brain health, community-based methods or health disparities, with an explicit focus on Black men; how your previous research, training or experience led to your interest, if this is a new area for you; and the specific objectives you hope to achieve from the programme and how they relate to your career aims.
Key dates
- 14 October 2026, 1.00pm to 1.30pm EST, virtual information session on Zoom
- 26 October 2026, applications close
- 30 November 2026, notification of acceptance
- 9 to 11 February 2027, BMBH Conference, Los Angeles
- February 2028, BMBH Conference and poster presentation
Questions about the programme should go to emergingscholars@mensbrainhealth.org. Full eligibility details and the programme FAQs are on the BMBH website.
Visit funding web page
(https://redcap.link/BMBHESPApp)
