The WashU Neuroscience Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program (Neuroprep) aims to enhance readiness for graduate studies in Neuroscience through a two-year paid experience in research and professional skills training.
Recent or soon-to-be college graduates who haven’t had substantial laboratory research experience are invited to apply.
Learn about…
Neuroprep programming
The goal of Neuroprep is to provide experiences that are enriching, educational and enabling to help scholars matriculate into strong programs for graduate work in Neuroscience. WashU Neuroprep is an excellent opportunity for students who discover their interests in research late in their undergraduate career or those who require further coursework and laboratory experience to be competitive for rigorous graduate training.
The 2-year Training Program includes:
- hands-on research in a basic or clinical neuroscience laboratory throughout both years
- coursework in Neuroscience fundamentals, with options for later advanced coursework
- instruction in science communication, public speaking and professional skills
- guidance and mentoring to help navigate Program choices in Y01
- guidance and mentoring in the graduate school application process in Y02
The Program features
- participation by 50+ Neuroscience faculty who are experts in their fields and devoted to training future neuroscientists
- $36,813 salary, plus benefits and paid travel
- opportunities to travel to scientific conferences and present at research symposia
- support from a community of diverse, talented individuals who care passionately about advancing diversity, equity and inclusion in STEM
- opportunities for outreach activities in the greater St Louis region
- peer-peer interactions with Neuroscience-oriented undergraduates and Neuroscience PhD students
The inaugural Neuroprep cohort will convene in St. Louis in Summer 2023.
Students will have opportunities to attend the Society for Neuroscience conference, the Society for the Advancement for Native Americans and Chicanos in Science (SACNAS) or the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), to network, strengthen professional development skills, present their research and take advantage of the large representation of PhD programs that regularly attend these meetings to solicit interest and applications.
Neuroprep timeline
Your Neuroprep Community
The bonding and mutual support that result from being part of a cohort of students is an important ingredient in Neuroprep’s long-term success. We anticipate that many of the students entering Neuroprep may not have clear ideas of the specific direction they want to follow in the neurosciences. Our network of advisers, educators and near-peers from across the university will help the students navigate the process of graduate program applications and advise them as they choose the right place to perform their graduate studies.
Global leaders in neuroscience
Ranked #9 by US News & World Report for top Global Universities in Neuroscience and fourth in US academic institutions for NIH funding, WashU is renowned for its innovative research, outstanding education and collaborative community of scientists. Our faculty are experts in diverse fields of neuroscience, from basic research into how the brain functions to clinical studies of cutting-edge medical interventions.
Neuroprep scholars have the opportunity at the outset of their program to conduct three rotations in different research labs so they can experience and directly appreciate potential differences among the diverse research environment/projects. Then they can choose with confidence and on terms that reflect their active engagement the laboratory where they will be conducting their research for the rest of the program. More than 50 principal investigators from across the Schools of Medicine, Engineering and Arts & Sciences welcome Neuroprep researchers to join their labs.
Committed to diversity, equity and inclusion
All aspects of Neuroprep are aligned with the School of Medicine’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (ODEI) and WashU provides environments for all scholars of diverse backgrounds and experiences to work, learn and thrive. Neuroprep leadership is a diverse group; our seven-person Executive Committee includes five women and four individuals who self-identify as members of underrepresented groups. The climate at Washington University is academically and scientifically inclusive and collaborative with strong values of collegiality and hospitality to all campus citizens and visitors.
To make our campus welcoming and inclusive, we have six remarkable offices for diversity, equity and inclusion, the Standing Committee on Facilitating Inclusive Classrooms, which supports faculty in developing classrooms that foster learning for all students, and The Teaching Center to promote initiatives in this area. The programs, academics, administration, and finances of WUSTL focus on providing a world-class education to trainees at all levels—especially those who have historically not been well represented in higher education and STEM.
Salary and benefits
Neuroprep scholars are paid employees of Washington University who have access to generous benefits provided by the school, including health and dental insurance and a free public transportation pass.
All students will receive a dedicated laptop computer during their time in the program. They will also have unlimited and secure cloud storage space through WUBox for the duration of their participation in Neuroprep.
Life in St. Louis
St. Louis offers the best of both worlds: a vibrant city full of museums, music venues, award-winning restaurants and national sports teams coupled with ample green space and easy access to the nature. St. Louis is an excellent place for recent college graduates to take the next steps in their professional life. In 2022, Insurify ranked St. Louis as the #1 place for college grads to launch their careers and affordable housing is available near both WashU campuses.