Applicants for Wu Tsai Neuro funding opportunities are required to demonstrate a commitment to building an inclusive and welcoming environment.
The Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute believes that the advancement of science depends on the diversity of thought, experience, and approach of those who conduct it. A research community where everyone’s contributions are welcomed quickens the pace of scientific progress and our ability to treat diseases and improve lives. We are committed to fostering a vibrant scientific community where all people feel they belong and can flourish and do their best work regardless of their background or identity.
As of January 2024, all grant applications for Wu Tsai Neuro funding must include a section titled “Plan to Build and Maintain an Inclusive Training and Work Environment.” In this section, applicants are required to outline their strategies and practices for creating and sustaining an environment where everyone can thrive, emphasizing a comprehensive definition of inclusion, belonging, and engagement in mentorship.
Our applications provide clear guidance to community members on how to develop a strong plan by offering prompts and suggestions, such as the examples below:
- Provide examples of a practice that you have implemented or plan to implement in your lab to ensure there is a collaborative and supportive research and training environment. Examples include but are not limited to: personally going through training on mentorship/coaching and/or seeking leadership coaching; creating and using a lab manual to make expectations about succeeding in academia transparent.
- Provide examples of how you have supported your trainees in their transition to their next career stage. Examples include but are not limited to: admission to a graduate program; transition to a career outside of academic research; application for a postdoc job or a faculty job; etc.
- Provide examples of how you have dealt with conflict in the lab.
- Provide examples of how your work has improved or is improving the inclusivity of the training environment at Stanford overall.
Contact us
We are always open to hearing from our community! If you have any recommendations or want to share your thoughts on how the Institute can support a vibrant, inclusive community where all feel welcome and supported, please do so here.