Neuro-EM Scholars Program Retreat
The next Neuro-EM Scholars Program Retreat will be held December 1-4, 2026 in Ann Arbor, MI. More details will be available soon.
Retreat Overview
The Neuro-EM Scholars Annual Retreat provides a number of training opportunities related to grant writing and emergency medicine research. The Retreat also provides an opportunity for early career researchers to interact directly with the Neuro-EM Scholars Program national advisory committee members, senior emergency medicine faculty, NIH/NINDS career development leaders, and peers. The small-group interactive format allows for individual mentoring and career development advice.
Funded K12 Scholars
Funded Neuro-EM scholars are expected to attend the Retreat during the 3 years of K12 funding, plus the 2 years immediately following K12 funding (i.e. for 5 consecutive years).
At the Retreat, scholars provide updates on their research progress, receive mentoring from senior emergency medicine investigators and NIH personnel, and provide advice, insights, and mentorship to new Neuro-EM Program applicants and future scholars.
K12 Applicants
All K12 applicants are required to attend the Annual Neuro-EM Retreat and will be interviewed by Program Leadership during the meeting as part of the application process.
Travel, lodging, and meal costs will be covered for all K12 applicants.
Pipeline Participants
The primary benefit of participating in the Pipeline Program is attending the Neuro-EM Retreat, where attendees will receive grant writing and career development training 1-2 years before applying for the K12 award.
Travel, lodging, and meal costs will be covered for all selected Pipeline participants.
2026 Retreat Agenda
Content subject to change. Please bookmark this page to stay up to date. All times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.
Pre-Conference: Tuesday, December 1
5:15 – 6:00 pm (Graduate Hotel - Regency Ballroom - Floor 2)
Registration & Check-in
6:00 – 7:30 pm
Welcome Dinner
7:30 – 9:00 pm
Informal Networking (Scholars, K12 Applicants, & Pipeline Participants)
National Advisory Committee Meeting (Co-Directors, NAC Members, & NINDS Program Officers Only)
Retreat Day 1: Wednesday, December 2
7:30 – 8:30 am (Graduate Hotel - Regency Ballroom - Floor 2)
Breakfast
8:30 – 9:00 am (Graduate Hotel - Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Introduction and Goals of the Neuro-EM Scholars Program (Robert Neumar, MD, PhD - University of Michigan; Letitia Weigand, PhD - NINDS)
9:00 – 10:00 am (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Keynote: View from NINDS Leadership 2026 (Amy Bany Adams, PhD - NINDS Acting Director)
10:00 – 10:45 am (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Finding a Home for EM Research at NIH (Panel Featuring Neuro-EM Co-Directors and NINDS Program Officers)
10:45 – 11:00 am
Break
11:00 – 11:45am (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
AI Tools for Scientific Writing and Presentations (Andrew Taylor, MD, MHS - University of Virginia)
11:45 – 1:15 pm (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Networking Lunch & Group Photo
1:15 – 4:45 pm
K12 Applicant Interviews with NAC (as assigned / per schedule)
1:15 – 2:15 pm (Graduate Hotel - Allen Rumsey Restaurant - Lobby)
Funded Scholar & Pipeline Speed Networking
2:15 – 2:45 pm
Break (Scholars & Pipeline)
2:45 – 3:45 pm
Funded Scholars: Peer Consultancy Sessions
Pipeline Session: Planning Your Career Development Grant (Lauren Ullrich, PhD - NINDS)
3:45 – 4:45 pm
Funded Scholars: Practice Presentations
Pipeline Session: Practical Strategies for Effective Grant Writing (Meagan Ramsey, PhD - University of Michigan)
4:45 – 6:00 pm
Break
6:00 – 8:00 pm (Mani Osteria)
Networking Dinner: 341 E. Liberty Street (~6-minute walk from the Graduate)
Retreat Day 2: Thursday, December 3
7:30 – 8:30 am (Regency Ballroom - Floor 2)
Breakfast
8:30 – 12:00 am (Regency Ballroom - Floor 2)
K12 Study Section (Co-Directors, NAC Members and NINDS Program Officers only)
8:30 – 9:30 am (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Q&A Panel with Neuro-EM Scholars (open questions from K12 applicants and Pipeline)
9:30 – 10:30 am (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Funded Scholar, K12 Applicant, and Pipeline Participant Speed Networking
10:30 – 11:00 am
Break
11:00 – 12:00 pm (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Biomarkers for Neuro-EM (Fred Korley, MD, PhD - University of Michigan)
12:00 – 1:15 pm (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Networking Lunch
1:15 – 2:45 pm (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Funded Neuro-EM Scholar Presentations (2025 Scholars)
2:45 – 3:00 pm
Break
3:00 – 5:00 pm (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Funded Neuro-EM Scholar Presentations (2026 Scholars)
5:00 – 6:00 pm
Break
6:00 – 8:00 pm (Grizzly Peak)
Networking Dinner: 120 W. Washington Street (~12-minute walk from the Graduate)
Retreat Day 3: Friday, December 4
7:30 – 8:30 am (Regency Ballroom - Floor 2)
Breakfast
8:30 – 10:30 am (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Specific Aims Feedback Sessions (assigned small groups of program leaders and peers)
10:30 – 11:00 am (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
NINDS Townhall (discussing recent NIH updates and changes to K applications)
11:00 – 11:30 am (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Wrap Up, Closing Remarks, and time to complete surveys
11:30 – 12:30 pm (Terrace Ballroom - Floor 3)
Networking Lunch
12:30 pm (Graduate Hotel - Main Lobby)
Courtesy Airport Shuttle Departs
Have a question or want to learn more about the program?
Fill out the contact form to the right, and a member of the Neuro-EM Scholars Program team will connect with you about your request.
