Ellen Luken Student Awards enable selected students to pursue prestigious and competitive extracurricular educational, career-building, and networking opportunities outside of the traditional, department-sponsored attendance at scientific meetings.

Ellen Luken served as Executive Director and President of the Ruth K. Broad Biomedical Research Foundation, Inc., for over 25 years. This award program honors her distinguished leadership and contributions to neuroscience by promoting excellence and expanding the horizons of student researchers. It is made possible through a partnership between the Ruth K. Broad Biomedical Research Foundation, Inc. and the Shepard Broad Foundation.

Overview: Students applying for funding must specify the extracurricular opportunity they will pursue, however, it is not necessary to have secured acceptance or admission prior to seeking an Ellen Luken Student Award. These awards can may be approved conditionally with a commitment that the student will receive the funding upon final acceptance into the chosen opportunity.

Eligibility: PhD or MD/PhD students who work in the field of neuroscience in basic science or clinical departments in the Duke University School of Medicine. Students should be in their third year of study or beyond; all areas of neuroscience will be considered, with particular encouragement to students whose work has relevance to neurodegeneration and, specifically, Alzheimer’s disease.

Reporting Requirements: The award requires a brief written report of what was learned and how the awardee benefited from the program within 30 days of completing the opportunity.