Bernice Grafstein Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Mentoring

Karen Froud, PhD (right), of Columbia University was awarded the Bernice Grafstein Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Mentoring in 2023.

The Bernice Grafstein Award for Outstanding Accomplishments in Mentoring, supported by Bernice Grafstein, PhD, recognizes individuals dedicated to women's advancement in neuroscience through mentorship.

Recipients receive a $2,500 award and complimentary registration, transportation (economy air or ground), and two nights hotel accommodations for the SfN annual meeting. The SfN president presents the award at a lecture at the meeting.

For more information, please review the Awards and Prizes FAQs.

Nomination Criteria & Materials

Nomination Criteria:

• Nominations must be made or endorsed by an SfN member.
• Nominees must be SfN members.
• Self-nomination is not permitted.
• No person may nominate more than one candidate.
• Current SfN officers and councilors are ineligible for nomination.
• Due to the potential conflicts of interest, members of the selection committee may not be the nominees and they cannot serve as nominators nor write letters of recommendation.

Nomination materials include the following:

• One nomination letter and a maximum of two optional letters of recommendation
• One letter must describe the nominee's contributions to the advancement of women in neuroscience through mentoring and other efforts, such as leadership and service
• Current CV
• A list of students and postdoctoral scholars who have been mentored by the nominee

Eligibility

• Nominees must have demonstrated dedication to and success in mentoring women neuroscientists and in facilitating women’s entry into or retention within the field of neuroscience.
• Nominees may be recognized for related efforts and achievements that promote women's advancement in neuroscience. 

Learn More About Past Award Winners

• 2024: Nina F. Schor, MD, PhD, and Marina E. Wolf, PhD
• 2023: Karen Froud, PhD
• 2022: Alice Cronin-Golomb, PhD and Shubha Tole, PhD
• 2021: Jill Becker, PhD
• 2020: Carmen S. Maldonado-Vlaar, PhD and Barbara Shinn-Cunningham, PhD
• 2019: Marina Picciotto, PhD
• 2018: Elaine Del Bel, PhD and Herbert Geller, PhD
• 2017: Pamela Mellon, PhD
• 2016: Eva L. Feldman, MD, PhD
• 2015: Julio J. Ramirez, PhD
• 2014: Karen Gale, PhD
• 2013: Jane Roskams, PhD
• 2012: Anne M. Etgen, PhD
• 2011: Stephen Lisberger, PhD
• 2010: Janet Neisewander, PhD
• 2009: Victoria Luine, PhD