The Amicitia Association awards an Excellence Prize in recognition of outstanding scientific research in all areas of neuroscience. The aim is to support graduates from the neuroscience doctoral programs in the Lemanic area who are continuing their scientific career in an internationally recognized academic institution.
Application conditions and procedures
The candidate for the award must have obtained a PhD degree from a local doctoral program in neuroscience (i.e. Lemanic Neuroscience Doctoral School or EDNE-EPFL) after December 31, 2022 and have a contract for a research position in a foreign academic institution.
The award
is foreseen for an individual applicant, and is a monetary reward ~5’000 CHF (depending on the funds of the association available). The award aims to complement the salary of graduates who continues her/his career in a foreign country. The prize is awarded once a year on the occasion of the Annual Meeting of the NeuroLéman Network and Doctoral Schools (NLN). The awardee may be required to give a special lecture during the annual neuroscience retreat or in an event organized by the Amiticia Association.
How to apply
The application must include:
- Your thesis in pdf format
- Motivation letter (max. 2 pages)
- CV (max. 1 page)
- Publication list
- Copy of the contract from the foreign academic institution hosting you
The candidates are evaluated by a committee formed by members of the Amicitia Association and local faculty. The decision of the committee is final. Given your application is chosen for the award, two printed copies of your thesis must be sent in time before the award ceremony.
Application deadline in 2025: TBA
Please send your application to:
association.amicitia@gmail.com (please put ulrike.toepel@unil.ch in copy)
or:
Association Amicitia
c/o Dr A Tempia-Caliera
Avenue Jomini 8
CH-1004 Lausanne
Be nice to the planet, electronic applications are accepted!
LIST of amicitia Awardees
| 2024 | Marco Milano (EPFL): Targeted regeneration of spinal cord neurons across a complete injury restores walking |
| 2023 | Alessandro Contestabile (UNIGE) |
| 2022 | Beatrice Barra (UNIFR) |
| 2021 | Marieke Hoekstra (UNIL) |
| 2020 | Aurore Perrault (UNIGE) |
| 2019 | Sebastiano Bariselli (UNIL) |
| 2018 | Thomas Stefanelli (UNIGE) |
| 2017 | Elsa Juan (UNIL) |
| 2016 | Gabrielle Pouchelon (UNIGE) |
| 2015 | Lorenzo Fontolan (UNIGE) |
| 2014 | Leonie Koban (UNIGE) |
| 2013 | Jennifer Zenker (UNIL) |
| 2012 | Arnaud Lalive d’Epinay (UNIGE) |
| 2011 | Corinne Benakis (UNIL) |
Wall of fame: Marco Milano (2024), Alessandro Contestabile (2023), Beatrice Barra (2022), Marieke Hoekstra (2021), Aurore Perrault (2020), Sebastiano Bariselli (2019), Thomas Stefanelli (2018) & Elsa Juna (2017)