Jon Driver Prize 2026

Key information

Jon Driver

Jon Driver (4 July 1962 – 28 November 2011) was a UCL psychologist and neuroscientist. He was a leading figure in the study of perception, selective attention and multisensory integration in the normal and damaged human brain. Reflecting Jon Driver’s commitment to mentorship, and his seminal contribution to promoting neuroscience at UCL, the prize is awarded competitively every year to recognise the high-quality research of students completing their PhD in the field of neuroscience at UCL.

Eligibility

PhD students in neuroscience at UCL who are engaged in cognitive, system and circuit-based neuroscience research (registered at the time of the application deadline).

Deadline

Friday 10th July 2026, 13:00

Requirements

Please note that only fully complete applications will be considered:

· 2-page CV with publication list

· Motivation statement (500 words)

· 1-page abstract describing work to be considered (SFN abstract format)

· Supporting statement from supervisor/sponsor

· 50-word biography

· Proposed title for talk at a presentation symposium if selected

· High-resolution photograph of yourself

Award

Cash £1000 awarded to the winner(s). The winner(s) will be asked to give a short presentation of the work at an award symposium in September 2026.

Committee

• Ray Dolan (Chair, 2023)
• Sven Bestmann
• Francesca Cacucci
• Stephen Fleming
• Gabriella Vigliocco

Apply 

For applications and information, please email: jondriverprize@ucl.ac.uk

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is an abstract on the entire PhD project required, or details of a specific study within the PhD?

A: It is up to the candidate which elements of the PhD work are highlighted, but the committee will consider the entire career achievement of the candidate when evaluating each application (and not just a single study / paper).

Q: What is the “Motivation statement” supposed to include? Should it be focused on the work to be considered, or more focused on the applicant him/herself? In other words, how should it be different from the 1-page abstract?

A: The abstract should cover the research programme, and the motivation statement should detail the student’s unique driving contributions towards the research output (independence, obstacles overcome, etc). It can also highlight other activities not directly related to the abstract, e.g., any public engagement, etc.

Q: I’ve already submitted my PhD - am I still eligible?

A: You are eligible as long as you haven’t had your PhD viva before the application deadline.

Q: What if my supervisor is on the selection committee? Am I still eligible?

A: Yes, you are welcome to apply. If your supervisor is on the committee, he/she will recuse themselves when considering your application.

About Jon Driver

Jon Driver (1962 - 2011) was a highly influential cognitive neuroscientist whose work had a major impact world-wide, and who played a leading role in the neuroscience community at UCL.

He was Professor of Cognitive Neuroscience at UCL and was Director of the UCL Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience (ICN) from 2004 to 2009. His work was widely recognized - by numerous prizes; by his election to the fellowship of the British Academy and the Academy of Medical Sciences; and by the award of a Royal Society Research Professorship. He trained many of the top people in the field, who are now in leading positions around the world. Jon was a dynamic and highly respected figure at UCL: he played a key role in the team that attracted the Sainsbury Wellcome Centre to UCL, and in the establishment of the UCL Neuroscience Domain. 

For more information about Jon Driver and his work, please see his Wikipedia page. You can also consult the collection of articles published by Nature Neuroscience or view the tribute page.