SSNAP 2023 has concluded, and applications for SSNAP 2025 will open next fall, in October 2024. There will be no SSNAP in 2024.
Calling all curious neuroscientists and philosophers!
Join us in beautiful Durham, North Carolina for a summer school aimed at advancing knowledge at the intersection of neuroscience and philosophy. With generous funding from the John Templeton Foundation, the Templeton World Charity Foundation, and Duke University, we bring together early-career researchers in neuroscience and philosophy, give them training in the alternative field, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. Together we can apply cutting-edge scientific research to the big questions on:
free will, morality, human nature, perception, memory, knowledge, consciousness, and more…
This funded two week seminar experience produces valuable research and lasting relationships. Philosophers will learn new developments in neuroscience, while neuroscientists will study contemporary philosophy. You'll form interdisciplinary teams and design your own experiments to conduct original research. The most promising projects will receive funding for the next year.
"Think philosophy is irrelevant for cognitive science? Think again! And think some more during SSNAP. What a blast! I'm thrilled to embark on some great collaborations and projects following this program. And how did I find myself discussing ontology revision in cognitive neuroscience at a recent panel? Thanks, SSNAP! More debates and meta-thinking to come."
Anna Leshinskaya, Harvard University
"In just a couple of weeks, I had the kinds of experiences that normally a philosopher would struggle to get in a lifetime. I handled brains and brain technologies, was taught by stellar teachers, heard cutting-edge presentations from world-renowned researchers, and acquired some life-long friends and collaborators."
Josh May, University of Alabama at Birmingham
14 Valuable Days
Two weeks filled with lectures, workshops, and seminars from leaders in neuroscience and philosophy.
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Over 30 Top Speakers
Experts flock to Durham from all around the world to teach and inspire you.
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10 Neuroscientists
Benefit by getting out of the lab for face-to-face collaboration and cross-discipline networking.
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500+ Cups of Coffee
Stay energized with tasty food and drinks in the #1 "Foodiest" town in the US. Learn about some top local spots in this The New York Times article.
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10 Philosophers
Learn about the latest developments in neuroscience and make important connections.
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1 Great Location
Durham is the #1 “Smartest City” according to Newsweek & The Daily Beast. It's the perfect location for learning and fun!
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2 Day Conference
The summer seminar culminates in a two day conference open to the public. Get inspired by great speakers, see successful projects from past fellows, and make valuable connections to last throughout your career!
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We are seeking the following applicants to participate in the program:
Associate professors
Assistant professors
Post-doctoral scholars
Graduate students
Apply as part of an interdisciplinary team and increase your chances of acceptance.
All applicants must apply as individuals. Let us know in your application if you plan on partnering with a fellow applicant.
Get funding, advance research, venture out, make friends, and have fun!
“It’s difficult to identify what specifically makes SSNAP such an important and enriching opportunity. I’m tempted to point to the lectures, which were delivered by world-class academics whose research sits at the cutting edge of their respective fields. Or, I could point to the many intense debates and engaging conversations these lectures spawned. Or, perhaps it’s the research projects – and specifically the new ideas we generated, the mentorship we received in shaping those ideas into studies, and the fruitful collaborations these have produced. I’m also tempted to say it’s the friends that I made and the invaluable opportunities to hone my karaoke skills. In actuality, it is all of these things (and many others!) that make SSNAP an essential experience for anyone interested in the intersection between neuroscience and philosophy.”
Cliff Workman, University of Chicago
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“SSNAP was a wonderful experience - the fellows were thoughtful, critical, engaging and above all enthusiastic about the potential of a philosophy-inspired neuroscience and neuroscience-inspired philosophy. In only a few days I had conversations that are reshaping our direction of travel in the lab. Would love to do it all over again!”
Steve Fleming, University College London
“One of the most energizing and inspiring workshops I’ve ever attended.”
Ian Gold, McGill University
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“SSNAP is special! There are events nowadays where philosophers and neuroscientists come together, but the duration, intensity and quality of SSNAP is still something that is quite unique. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Durham and was very impressed by the standard of the fellows in discussions, questions and developed projects which was simply excellent. SSNAP is a fantastic exercise in building our future interdisciplinary community in this field.”
Tillman Vierkant, University of Edinburgh
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" My academic friends might agree I have the world record of attending events in this junior generation. Now I can guarantee to everyone that SSNAP is the most rewarding one I know of!"
Tony Cheng, University College London
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“SSNAP is a great opportunity for those looking to establish new collaborations and learn about research both from other SSNAP participants and from the amazing line-up of speakers. Our team was able to develop our project while receiving feedback both from our peers and top researchers in the field. I cannot overstate how helpful this was in shaping and refining the direction of our research. Walter, Felipe and the rest of the SSNAP team were wonderful. They really created a supportive and friendly environment that made the whole process enjoyable.”
Madeline Ransom, University of British Columbia
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“I had an amazing time. The other fellows were fantastic. The teachers and guests were inspiring. I just wish I could go back and do it all again next year!”
Jim A.C. Everett, University of Oxford
“SSNAP offers a great opportunity for graduates to get in touch with top researchers in the field and promising colleagues from other universities. At the end of the program my only disappointment was that I cannot do it all again next year.”
Toni Gibea, University of Bucharest
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“SSNAP is a truly unique initiative. I’ve never before experienced an interdisciplinary workshop or conference that is so intellectually stimulating and academically fruitful, and the organisers create a wonderfully welcoming and encouraging atmosphere. If you’re an early career researcher interested in projects at the intersection of philosophy and neuroscience, make sure to apply!”
Joanna Demaree-Cotton, University of Oxford
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“I participated as a speaker in the final four days of SSNAP 2023. I found the mixture of neuroscience and philosophy talks richly rewarding, as I did the discussions that followed (both formal and informal). It was great to be able to meet so many excellent people in their fields.”
Peter Carruthers, University of Maryland
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"I couldn't recommend SSNAP highly enough. Spending two weeks in Durham fully immersed in philosophy and neuroscience was one of the best academic experiences I've ever had"
Gus Skorburg, University of Oregon
"As a SSNAP fellow, I undoubtedly had the most enriching exposure to neuroscience, philosophy, and intellectual collaboration that I have had in the entirety of my graduate training. Sharing my work, ideas and research endeavors with some of my academic heroes, so to speak--Patricia Churchland, Danielle Bassett, Carl Craver, and Michael Anderson, among many others--reignited my passion. It helped me contextualize my research in cognitive neuroscience and psychology within the framework of longstanding philosophical concerns that will better elucidate the connection between the brain and human behavior."
Kevin Jarbo, Carnegie Mellon University
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“Thoroughly enjoyed connecting with such a strong interdisciplinary crowd. [SSNAP had] incredibly deep discussions, and it was a delight to meet a number of the fellows.”
Konrad Kording, University of Pennsylvania
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"SSNAP is undoubtedly the best summer school I have ever been to. I learned a lot from the courses and talks, but also from the interaction with the really charming organizers, the invited speakers and of course with the colleagues that became my friends. It was an unforgettable experience in all respects."
Dr. Miguel Angel Sebastian, Universidad Nacional Autonoma De Mexico