The BHI Brain Health Scholar Program is designed for emerging leaders, starting with high school honor students aged 15 and older and undergraduate and graduate student leaders. Apply.
Nomination and Application Process
Eligible participants include those involved in youth development programs, enrolled in schools or school districts (or schools within them), or attending colleges, universities, and medical schools collaborating with the Brain Health Initiative. Special consideration may be given to others who demonstrate exceptional qualifications.
An authorized representative of the nominating organization will nominate the identified student leader(s). The qualified candidate(s) should be interested in science, medicine, health and human services, community or public health, and education. BHI Brain Health Scholars have the right to refuse the nomination and may withdraw from participation at any time during the project.
Nominate
If you want to nominate one or more thought leaders to become a Brain Health Scholar, please click this link. For questions or requests for more information, please contact the BHSP student liaison, Kaylen Rivers, at kaylen.rivers.bhi@gmail.com.
About the Program
BHI Brain Health Scholars can participate in a hybrid model with Brain Health Initiative clinicians, faculty, and scientists. Specifically, Scholars participate in the ongoing development, implementation, and evaluation of the community engagement, research, and innovation agenda with the Brain Health Initiative to better understand and take action on the brain health and well-being concerns, values, priorities, and attitudes of both youth and adults. Scholars participate in didactic training related to the science of brain health and the scientific process of community-based research that translates science into action to promote and protect brain health, fight brain illness, and improve brain performance for all ages.
The Scholars learn how to translate science into action to impact themselves and those they care about. This program is also strategically planned to personally support thought leaders and those they interact with through the stressful period of adolescent and young adult development, to normalize and destigmatize their lived brain health and illness experiences, and to share the science of brain health and performance.
Watch a short video about the Brain Health Scholar Program
View letters from current and previous Brain Health Scholars
The Brain Health Scholar must have reliable internet access. Some elective research, community engagement, and outreach responsibilities will require transportation. All scholars will receive an annual certificate of participation documenting service hours.
Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the following:
● Complete confidentiality agreement.
● Attend and complete a self-paced didactic training, including webinars, labs, and presentations on the science of brain health and research methods.
● Upon completion of training, serve as a BHI Certified Brain Health Community Educator.
●Contribute personal insights on brain health risks and protective factors within their community and play a role in shaping and implementing the ongoing research, community engagement, and intervention agenda.
● Assist in all stages of the research process on various BHI projects, including needs assessment, planning (program design), implementation and evaluation. BHI research projects may be descriptive, qualitative, quantitative, or exploratory.
● Assist in creating communications and recruitment of future Brain Health Scholars.
● Assist with creating press releases and participating in media events regarding the BHI Scholar program.
● Serve as Brain Health Champions in schools, on campus, and at community events.
● Manage and respond to project-related emails.
● Receive support in the college undergraduate, graduate, and medical school admissions process through letters of introduction and personal outreach by BHI faculty to the scholars’ top college choices.
Read a recent press release about the program.
Program Outcomes
In its inaugural program in 2020, more than 69 student leaders representing 19 schools and universities were appointed Brain Health Scholars and completed six months working with BHI clinicians and researchers, learning about brain health in general and how to increase protective and address risk factors through lifestyle behaviors.
In the summer of 2022, 43 student leaders made up the second cohort of the Brain Health Scholars Program, with an additional eight inaugural Scholars who returned to continue their work as Senior Scholars.
The Brain Health Scholar program included nominated honors students, thought leaders, action takers, recent graduates from collaborating high schools, youth development programs, universities, graduate training programs, and medical schools.
Beginning this Fall, the current scholars will welcome the third cohort of the Brain Health Scholars.
All Scholars participated in didactic training related to the science of brain health and the scientific process of community-based research.
Upon completion of training, Scholars choose a Special Interest Track and participate in further training, research, and engagement programs.
Brain Health Scholar Cohorts
Scholar Feedback
View a Scholar produced video about the program. View a SNN news article about the program.
The potential of this program to boost brain health protective factors in Scholars and those with whom they associate while allowing Scholars to explore potential academic and career paths is enormous. Below are some quotes, and attached is a portfolio from the inaugural class of Scholars about their experience in the program:
“I didn’t expect that my mental health, my physical health
and even my grades would improve…. but they did.”
“I turn my phone and all other screens off about a half hour
before bed and meditate, this simply helps me sleep better.”
“The more I learned, the more I realized how
pertinent brain health is to my own community.”
“The program taught me multiple important aspects that go into
maintaining one’s brain health, as well as the extent to which brain illness is present in society today – more so now than ever before.”
“I was able to learn how social media, physical exercise, and even
the foods you eat can affect the way your brain grows throughout your lifetime.”
Superintendents from Manatee and Sarasota Counties have requested we offer the Brain Health Scholars program to students from every high school in the region. And more than two dozen College Admissions offices, having learned about the program through student college applications, are requesting the BHI resources to help establish Brain Health Scholar Chapters on their campuses.
This single program provides a compelling example of how individuals can learn to be brain healthy. It also equips participants with the tools to help lead the BHI’s brain health movement and campaign for families and communities to change how we care for our brains and transform how we promote optimal performance and approach brain illness.