Who Should Apply?

We welcome applicants from diverse academic backgrounds who are passionate about advancing our understanding of the brain and nervous system. 

Application Deadlines

Students are admitted to the graduate program for the fall term of each year only. The application materials listed below must be submitted through the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences online application system, between October 1st and December 1st. 

The application fee is $85.

Application Steps

1. Start a new application with the “Graduate School of Arts and Sciences” through the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences online application system 
2. Choose a primary program: Biology, Psychology, or Chemistry
3. Indicate Neuroscience as one of your core research interests.

We understand that research interests may evolve during your graduate studies and our program is designed to be flexible and supportive of your academic journey.

Importantly, all PFN students will experience their core classes together as one cohort. This unified approach ensures a comprehensive and integrated learning experience for all our neuroscience graduate students.

Faculty Interest

List up to 3 PFN PhD Advisors with whom you might be interested in working. You can read more about the research opportunities available on our PhD Advisor directory.

Resume/Curriculum Vitae

Upload your resume or CV to the application portal.

Statement of Purpose

Please indicate that you are interested in the Program in Fundamental Neuroscience Track and address the following questions in a statement of 500 to 1000 words:

• What academic, research, and/or life experiences do you bring that you think will make you successful in our PhD program? 
• What fields are you interested in pursuing and why? What approaches would you like to use in your PhD research? 
• What are your personal and professional goals, and how do you think our program will help you achieve those goals?
• Which faculty in our program do you think would be well-suited to guide you in this work? 

Transcripts

You may submit unofficial transcripts with your application; if you accept an offer of admission, you must arrange for your previous school to submit your official transcripts directly to the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences.

Two letters of recommendation

Include contact information for 2 references in your application, and they will receive emailed instructions for submitting recommendation letters on your behalf; letters must be received prior to the December 1st application deadline for an application to receive consideration. Seek recommendations from faculty in your proposed field of study who are sufficiently familiar with your work to make a comprehensive evaluation of your abilities. If you have already undertaken a graduate program, at least one of the letters should be from a faculty member who is familiar with your academic performance at the graduate level.

Test of English as a Foreign Language

Scores from the TOEFL, IELTS, or DET exam are required for international applicants whose first language is not English and who did not earn an undergraduate degree at an institution where English was the primary language of instruction. The scores must come from a test taken within two years of the application deadline. Applicants will be asked to enter their scores in their electronic application. Only those applicants who accept an admission offer are required to submit official scores. Official scores sent from ETS are automatically matched to the application once received; IELTS and DET scores are matched once received from their respective testing services. Visit the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences website for more information regarding this requirement.

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Decisions

The Admissions Committee begins reviewing applications in early December and offers are generally made by late February.  For more information, please visit The Graduate School of Arts & Sciences’ website, including the page of Frequently Asked Questions about admission. 

Who is the PFN Director of Admissions?

Dr. JC Cang is the Admission Director. Please contact Dr. Cang for questions about graduate admissions.

How Can I Learn about the Research UVA PFN Faculty Are Doing?

To learn about the research our faculty members are engaged in, explore the PFN PhD Advisors Directory.

What Funding is available for UVA PFN Graduate Students?

Visit the Financial Assistance page for more information.