Apply for Parkinson’s Foundation Visiting Scholar Award

The Parkinson’s Foundation Visiting Scholar Award supports PhD students and postdoctoral fellows who want to learn a new technique at a host laboratory and apply it to their existing Parkinson’s disease research. Scholars receive a $4,000 travel and housing stipend for a visit lasting at least ten weeks . After completing the project, they may apply for up to $1,000 in additional travel funding to present their research at a related scientific conference.

Eligible applicants: PhD students and postdoctoral fellows conducting Parkinson’s research

Geographic eligibility: National and international applicants

Primary support: $4,000 stipend for travel and housing

Additional support: Opportunity to apply for up to $1,000 for conference travel after project completion

The Visiting Scholar Award encourages collaborative, innovative, creative , and multidisciplinary Parkinson’s research.

Each scholar proposes a project involving a new technique learned at a host laboratory . The technique must be applicable to research already underway in the applicant’s primary laboratory.

The visiting project takes place under the supervision of the host laboratory’s principal investigator .

The award provides a $4,000 stipend to support:

After completing the project, scholars are invited to apply for up to an additional $1,000 in travel funds to attend a related scientific conference and present their research.

The conference support requires a separate application after project completion. It should not be treated as an automatic part of the initial award.

Conducting Parkinson’s disease research in their primary laboratory

Proposing to learn a technique relevant to that existing research

For graduate students, two additional conditions apply:

They must be in their second year or later

Their expected graduation date must be at least six months after the visiting project ends

The programme accepts national and international applicants. International awardees must obtain a valid visa before the project begins .

Be a significant distance from the applicant’s institution

Have no affiliation with the applicant’s institution

Provide supervision through its principal investigator

Enable the scholar to learn a technique applicable to their existing Parkinson’s research

The supplied information does not define a minimum distance. Applicants should check the official guidelines before confirming a host arrangement.

Scholars must spend at least ten weeks at the visiting institution .

The project must begin no later than 1 March 2028 . This is a project start requirement, not the application deadline.

Graduate students should check their proposed schedule carefully to ensure that graduation is expected at least six months after the project finishes.

Learning a new research technique can help early-career researchers expand the methods available to their existing projects.

The award also creates an opportunity to work with another laboratory and develop research relationships. Its focus on applying the technique to ongoing Parkinson’s research gives the visit a defined scientific purpose.

Review the official award information. Visit the Parkinson’s Foundation research award deadlines page and locate the Visiting Scholar Award.

Confirm eligibility. Check your research status, graduate-study stage where applicable, and expected graduation date.

Identify a host mentor. Confirm that the laboratory meets the distance and non-affiliation requirements.

Define the technique and project. Explain what you will learn and how it will strengthen your existing Parkinson’s research.

Plan the visit. Allow at least ten weeks at the host institution and a start date no later than 1 March 2028.

Prepare the required application materials . Follow the official instructions for the proposal, host arrangements, supporting documents, and budget.

Submit by the confirmed deadline. Check the official page for the closing date and submission process.

The supplied information does not include a direct application form or complete document checklist.

Connect the technique to ongoing research. Explain its specific value to your existing Parkinson’s project.

Verify host eligibility early. Distance and institutional independence are explicit requirements.

Distinguish the two funding stages. Conference travel support requires a later application.

Check the graduation timeline. Graduate students must meet the six-month requirement after project completion.

Separate the start date from the deadline. The 1 March 2028 date concerns when the project must begin.

Plan visa arrangements where needed. International awardees are responsible for obtaining a valid visa.

1. Who can apply for the Visiting Scholar Award?

PhD students and postdoctoral fellows conducting Parkinson’s research in their primary laboratory may apply, subject to the programme’s conditions.

2. How much funding does the award provide?

The initial award provides a $4,000 stipend for travel and housing during the host laboratory visit.

3. Is additional conference funding available?

After completing the project, scholars may apply for up to $1,000 to travel to a related scientific conference and present their research.

4. How long must the laboratory visit last?

Scholars must spend at least ten weeks at the visiting institution.

5. Can the host laboratory be affiliated with the applicant’s institution?

No. It must be unaffiliated and located a significant distance from the applicant’s institution.

Yes. International applicants are eligible, but awardees must obtain a valid visa before starting the project.

The project must start no later than 1 March 2028 . The application deadline is January 20, 2027.

The Parkinson’s Foundation Visiting Scholar Award helps early-career researchers gain techniques that directly support their Parkinson’s research. Applicants should secure an eligible host mentor, develop a focused learning project, and confirm th