Institutes
United States
Georgetown University
Howard University
France
CNRS, Gif-sur-Yvette (Paris), Gabriella Ugolini
Brain & Cognition Research Center, Toulouse, Simon Thorpe
Germany
Friedrich Schiedel-Institute for Neuroscience (IfN), Munich, Arthur Konnerth
Institute for Neurobiology, Munich, Benedikt Grothe
Institute for Biological Cybernetic, Tübingen, Nikos Logothetis
Hertie Institute for Clinical Brain Research, Tübingen, Peter Thier
Recruitment
PIRE graduate student researchers will be recruited principally from among the existing neuroscience graduate programs in the GHUC. In addition, the graduate programs of the Departments of Physiology & Biophysics at HU and GU may contribute students.
There will be at first a pre-selection among available candidates by the PIRE Admissions Committee, consisting of the GU and HU principals (Rauschecker and Graf) and at least two other faculty members in close consultation with the respective thesis advisor. The Admissions Committee will determine whether a given student would fit and benefit from the scientific means available at the host institution. In the end, preference will be given to optimal matches, timing considerations and promotion of minority students. Candidates for the PIRE program at the post-doctoral level will undergo the same selection process as described above for graduate students.
We will be supervising the matching and progress of a maximum of five to seven students and fellows at any one time per year.
Duration
The duration of the stay abroad will vary depending on the nature of the projects and the availability of instructors and support personnel. Ideally, we are aiming for a minimum stay of two months for a given research initiative, that can be extended in consultation with the Admissions Committee and the international principals to a duration of up to 12 months.
Cultural Preparation
Students will receive cultural orientation from the PIRE principals at the home institution (Rauschecker and Graf) in advance.
In particular, there were no language problems since in the international research environment English is the language of choice. Furthermore, enough common time was shared for social activities outside the laboratory to allow the student familiarization with the customs and language of the host institution's country.
Lodging
All students will receive lodging in international student residences provided by the Host Institutes.
Health Insurance
Health insurance will be provided by the home institution, as has been customary for other international exchange projects, or through a private provider.
Visa
There are no current visa requirements for US students coming to Europe, especially Germany and France.
Language and Cultural Training
The Departments of German and French at GU offer semester-long classes for our students without tuition, or summer intensive courses for a fee.
