Bernstein Nodes
To enhance the visibility of the computational neuroscience community, Bernstein Nodes can be established at locations without a Bernstein Center. Each Bernstein Node represents a local group of Bernstein members, which are located either in the same city or in several cities close to each other. They aim to connect experimentalists and theoreticians and facilitate the coordination of local activities, thus enhancing collaborations even beyond the scope of the individual Node.
Criteria
- Minimum number of 5 PIs (including scientific coordinator), Bernstein membership required for all PIs.
- One scientific coordinator and one additional contact person.
- At least one PI from the initial founding group must have a permanent position. This must not necessarily be the scientific coordinator.
- Demonstrable ongoing networking activities.
- Once initiated, a Bernstein Node should have a distinct website, listing at least joint activities, members and contact person.
- A Bernstein member can only be affiliated to one Center or Node.
Application
The scientific coordinator of a prospective Bernstein Node is to act as applicant. This can be any Bernstein member with PI status (independent researcher).
Applications must contain:
- A concise statement on the motivation to establish a Bernstein Node, outlining the choice of PIs and the added value from the Bernstein Node status. It should be elaborated how regular personal interaction within the Node is ensured.
- Description of the organizational structure, especially names and affiliations of the scientific coordinator and an additional contact person.
- CV, publication list and a short description of the respective research interests for all founding PIs (minimum 5). For the publication list, please choose the max 10 most relevant publications in this context.
- A list of ongoing and planned networking activities (e.g. lecture series, retreats, joint student supervision etc.) and a link to a website where these activities are published.
- Teaching activities of PIs (e.g. courses related to computational neurosciences, practical methods training, existing BSc or graduate programs etc.).
Application process:
Applications are accepted twice a year (May 30 and November 30). Please send your application as one pdf document to the Bernstein Coordination Site (BCOS): Bernstein.network@fz-juelich.de.
Please be encouraged to contact Alexandra Stein, head of BCOS, before and while planning your application.
Applications are reviewed by the Steering Committee. One year after initiation, the Bernstein Nodes will be reviewed again to see if the described concept is being implemented. Afterwards the Nodes will be revisited every 3 years, to ensure that the criteria are still fulfilled.
