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 for the Global Brain Care Scholars is now closed. Stay tuned, as we will soon announce this year’s cohort of the Global Brain Care Scholars. 

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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