GIVING

The human brain is an amazingly complex structure that controls all aspects of our behavior.  The essence of who we are and how we experience life depends on maintaining a healthy, active brain.  The Department of Neuroscience at UT Austin is dedicated to investigating the fundamental mechanisms by which the brain functions and how these mechanisms malfunction with neuronal injury and disease.  

Philanthropic support is crucial to neuroscience at UT Austin.  Your support allows us to use the funds committed by the University and the grant dollars brought in by our investigators to their fullest potential by providing for activities not supported or guaranteed by these sources.  You may click the "Make a Gift" button to give an immediate gift to the department.  Alternatively, you may contact:

Zachary M. Richards
Executive Director for Development & External Relations
512-232-0699

Examples of current needs include:

UT Brainstorms: A Conversation on the Brain

The purpose of UT Brainstorms is to inform and educate the public about neuroscience research and the influences it has on our daily lives.  We seek a two-way conversation where we share our expertise about the brain, and we listen to what it means in people’s lives and to the challenges they face as it relates to the brain. Funds are needed to host our UT Brainstorms events at UT Austin campus venues. In addition, funds are also needed for a videographer to record and Livestream each session, so attendees can continue to interact and connect with our speakers and panelists during our Q&A sessions, regardless of their location.

Neuroscience Summer Undergraduate Internship

The Neuroscience Summer Undergraduate Internship is an 8-week opportunity for female undergraduate students to focus on neuroscience research.  Interns are assigned to a faculty advisor in UT Austin’s Department of Neuroscience and gain hands-on experience in their research lab. Funds are needed to provide summer stipends to outstanding students that are offered the opportunity to participate in this internship.

Support for graduate student research

Neuroscience faculty are responsible for supporting graduate students (including student stipend, tuition and insurance) for the majority of their graduate training (years 2-5).  These funds are typically provided through NIH grants obtained by the faculty.  External support for graduate students in the form of fellowships or awards frees up grant dollars for additional research needs, allowing our faculty to expand their research programs.

Center for Learning and Memory

Funds are needed to support out-of-the-box ideas for research projects that are difficult to fund through existing funding mechanisms.  Such high-risk projects promote innovation and if successful, can lead to major breakthroughs.