About
The Global Brain Care Scholars Program is a 12-month hybrid scholarship that brings together brain health professionals to improve local capacity and innovation focused on preventing stroke, dementia, and depression. The Ban Ki-moon Foundation, the Paris Brain Institute, and the Vascular Brain Health Institute offer ten outstanding scholars the opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate for better global brain health for all.
Who Can Apply?
The call for applications opens on September 8 to 22, 2026. Mark you calendar and get ready to apply if you are
- A passionate professional, aged 20 to 35 years, working in the field of brain health (medical doctor, neurologist, psychiatrist, community health worker, neuroscientist, neuro-engineer, AI/digital health professional, public health researcher, social worker);
- Experienced in research, care, advocacy, policy, digital innovation, or related fields;
- A citizen/national of one of the following countries: Benin, Cameroon, India, Kenya, Mauritius, Nigeria, Senegal, and Thailand. Two places will be open to participants from low-, lower-middle-, and upper-middle-income countries in Latin America and the Caribbean. The Global Brain Health Institute and the BrainLat Institute will coordinate the selection of participants from this region;
- Ready to address brain health in your local community by proposing and implementing a localized Changemaker Project during the Scholarship period (February – June 2027);
- Keen to learn more about stroke, dementia, and depression, the economic models and entrepreneurship surrounding them, and innovative methods to promote prevention during an in-person winter school in Paris in January 2027;
- A master’s graduate with at least a B2-English level.
Framework
Changemaker Project on Brain Health
Scholars design and implement an innovative community-based project focused on the prevention of stroke, dementia, and depression, while contributing to healthier communities and stronger local leadership.
In-Person Winter School at the Paris Brain Institute
An in-person intensive training week at the Paris Brain Institute in January 2027 that offers scholars direct access to leading researchers, clinicians, and innovators in the field.
Mentoring and Workshops
Scholars are paired with a mentor from the network of the Paris Brain Institute, Vascular Brain Health Institute, Global Brain Health Institute, BrainLat Institute, or Global Brain Care Coalition to support them during their Changemaker Project development. Scholars participate in virtual expert workshops and receive one-on-one mentorship from a diverse pool of supporting their professional and project development.
Certificate of Achievement and Travel to International Conference
After the successful completion of the Program, all Scholars receive a Certificate of Achievement signed by H.E. Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and Co-chair of the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, Prof. Stéphanie Debette, Director-General of the Paris Brain Institute, and Prof. Igor Sibon, Interim Director of the Vascular Brain Health Institute. In addition, the three top-performing Scholars will receive an additional award: participation in a major international conference, providing further visibility and networking opportunities on the global stage.
Our partners
The Paris Brain Institute (ICM) is a research institute and non-profit organization dedicated to understanding the mechanisms of brain function and disease and translating discoveries into better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. As the host of the Program’s one-week Winter School in Paris, ICM provides scientific expertise, curriculum development, mentorship, and hands-on training for Global Brain Care Scholars.
The Vascular Brain Health Institute (VBHI) is a French research institute dedicated to advancing vascular brain health through interdisciplinary research, clinical care, and public health. Within the Global Brain Care Scholars Program, VBHI contributes scientific expertise, curriculum design, scholar selection, mentorship, and supports the Winter School in Paris.
The Latin American Brain Health Institute (BrainLat) is a research and capacity-building institute at Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez in Santiago, Chile, focused on dementia and brain health across Latin America.
The Global Brain Coalition (GBC) is an international initiative dedicated to advancing brain health through prevention, education, and advocacy. The Coalition strengthens the Program through outreach, technical expertise on prevention and the Brain Care Score, as well as mentorship and academic support for scholars.
The Global Brain Health Institute (GBHI) is an innovative international institute dedicated to protecting the world’s aging populations from brain disease and reducing the burden of dementia. Through its global fellows’ network, GBHI supports mentorship design, leadership development, and capacity building, connecting scholars with an international community of brain health experts.
