BHI Brain Health Scholar Nomination Process

1. The nominator will review the narrative below or download it here.
2. If there is a student(s) you wish to nominate for the BHI Brain Health Scholar program, please complete a brief  online nomination form for each youth leader you choose to nominate and advise the nominee that they have been nominated. 

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. 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.

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 risk 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 BH 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.

Pre-College Program:

High school-aged BHI Brain Health Scholars can apply to the Harvard Pre-College Program, a two-week on-campus college immersion program. For more information, view slide deck.

Visiting College Student Program:

College students can apply to the Harvard Visiting Student Program. For more information, please contact Dr. Peabody at peabody2@fas.harvard.edu.

About the Brain Health Initiative (www.brainhealthiniative.org)

The Brain Health Initiative, Inc. (BHI), a 501(c)(3) global non-profit, uses a cutting-edge approach to protecting brain health, promoting brain performance, and preventing and fighting brain illness across the lifespan. The BHI is building brain-healthy communities, cultures that promote brain-healthy lifestyles, foster protective factors, and address risk factors, thereby improving brain health and optimizing brain performance outcomes, while addressing disparities at the individual, family, and community level. BHI activates the next generation of brain health advocates and is a leader in brain health engagement, research, innovation, and education.