Neurobiological Engineering Training & Certificate Programs
Program Description & Application Instructions

The MIT Neurobiological Engineering Training Program (NBETP) and associated Certificate Program (NBECP) aim to equip high quality students with outstanding expertise and leadership ability at the intersection of basic neuroscience and engineering. Students are selected from existing MIT graduate programs according to interests and research potential, and will participate for a minimum of two years. Special effort will be made to accept early stage students with risky and ambitious neurotechnology projects. An NIH-funded T32 grant will support early-stage NBETP students (two per year, US citizens and permanent residents only) during their first year of the training program, and will provide both stipend and funds to support professional travel. Additional NBECP students including independent fellowship holders will be able to participate without T32 funding, but with the benefits and recognition that come from inclusion in the combined program. All admitted students will earn a Certificate in Neurobiological Engineering following completion of their degree and fulfillment of five NBETP/CP requirements:

1. Complete two core classes in neurotechnology: 9.123J Neurotechnology in Action is required of all trainees, and aims to introduce students to a broad variety of neurotechnology development on campus, and to the faculty leading these efforts. In addition to 9.123J, one of these three classes must also be selected: 9.422J Principles of Neuroengineering, 9.670J Materials Physics of Neural Interfaces, and 9.271J Pioneering Technologies for Interrogating Complex Biological Systems.
2. Complete a distribution requirement consisting of one neuroscience core subject and one engineering-oriented course: Neuroscience core subjects include 9.011 Systems Neuroscience, 9.015J Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Core I, or 9.013J Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Core II. Quantitative classes include 2.715J Optical Microscopy and Spectroscopy for Biology and Medicine, 6.021J Cellular Neurophysiology and Computing, 20.405J Principles of Synthetic Biology, 20.463J Biomaterials Science & Engineering, and 20.554J Frontiers in Chemical Biology. Substitutions are also considered; please justify if proposed.
3. Form a thesis committee that includes joint expertise in neuroscience and engineering, and including at least one CNBE faculty member.
4. Complete one-week training in the responsible conduct of research, IAP subject 9.901.
5. Participate in NBETP-associated activities, including regular meetings with faculty and CNBE-hosted conferences.

Additional elective subjects related to neurotechnology beyond the core and distribution requirements are encouraged, and may be specified on the cover sheet.

To apply to the NBETP and/or NBECP programs, please submit the following materials:

• A. The attached application form, filled out and signed by applicant and applicant’s advisor.
• B. Applicant’s MIT transcript.
• C. Applicant’s CV (≤ 4 pages, NIH biosketch format preferred).
• D. A letter of support from the applicant’s MIT advisor.
• E. A 1-2 page (single spaced, 11-12 point font) statement describing proposed dissertation research in neurotechnology, emphasizing innovative characteristics and impact on neuroscience or neuromedicine. Also include a 1 paragraph summary of applicant’s career plan.

Please organize the materials in order into a single PDF file, with filename beginning with the applicant’s last name, and submit this electronically to Darlene Ray (dray@mit.edu). Applicants will be considered program faculty and informed of decisions as soon as possible.

We gratefully acknowledge the NIH National Institute for Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering for primary support of the NBETP program, through grant number T32 EB019940.