Presidential Scholars in Society and Neuroscience

The Center for Science and Society at Columbia University is the interdisciplinary home of the Presidential Scholars in Society and Neuroscience (PSSN) program. 

The program fosters, and independently funds, direct communication and knowledge sharing between experts in the natural and social sciences, arts, and humanities; thus creating a new paradigm for interdisciplinary university-sponsored research.

Each year, PSSN provides: 

  • Independent support for postdoctoral scholars for cross-disciplinary research projects. Each scholar is guided by two mentors, one from neuroscience, psychology or the biological sciences, and the other from the arts, humanities or social sciences.
  • Awards collaborative faculty Seed Grants for interdisciplinary projects in Society and Neuroscience and
  • Holds events for the academic community and general public on issues surrounding Society and Neuroscience.

Program Goals:

  • Seek out, fund, and cultivate cross-disciplinary research that has the potential to transform the understanding of brain and behavior but is unlikely to be supported through more traditional, compartmentalized scientific programs
  • Recruit and support talented early-career researchers with interdisciplinary interests and a critical understanding of neuroscience
  • Foster a new culture of collaborative inquiry between the human, social, and natural sciences that transcends divisions between schools, institutes, and campuses across Columbia University