Today, on World Brain Day 2026, the Ban Ki-moon Foundation, the Paris Brain Institute, and the Vascular Brain Health Institute launch the inaugural “Global Brain Care Scholars” Program. This unique initiative offers ten outstanding scholars the opportunity to learn, connect, and collaborate for better global brain health for all.

The call for applications will open in early fall 2026. Mark this in your 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 LMICs 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.

Besides having the opportunity to broaden your network and increase your knowledge and skillset for brain health and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), you will receive a range of benefits. These include full cost coverage for an in-person winter school training at the Paris Brain Institute, virtual expert workshops, an opportunity for one-on-one mentoring, and a EUR 800,00 seed grant to support the implementation of your Changemaker Project to be distributed after the successful submission of a project proposal. An additional award will be given to the three top scholars to participate in a larger conference. A Certificate of Achievement will be awarded after the successful completion of your project, 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.

The program is also carried out with in-kind support from the Global Brain Health Institute, BrainLat Institute, and Global Brain Care Coalition.

Download the PDF here.