A short sabbatical in Venice

The Short Sabbatical offers established scholars the opportunity to access all NSAS Advanced Courses during their stay.

Uniquely structured, a sabbatical at the NSAS is a rejuvenating and perspective-changing experience. You will find renewed inspiration when confronting world leaders. Being out of your ordinary surroundings will allow you to establish new relationships and collaborations and develop your perspectives in a different context. You will not only change how you assess, manage, and solve problems, but also enhance your capacity to lead strategically regardless of your academic level.

And all of this with the backdrop of the art, architecture and romance of Venice.

You can delve into areas of neuroscience outside your own league, learning from the thought leaders in the lecture hall but also delving into challenging discussions during evenings spent in a local trattoria.

You will develop a network of worldwide relationships with the NSAS leaders’ community.

You will broaden your global perspective on neuroscience, redefining your leadership skills and expanding your academic competence.

Knowledge is power

The world today is marked by unprecedented dynamicity, and our learned constructs are challenged in new and evolving scientific contexts. To thrive in this environment, we must undoubtedly become multidisciplinary, lifelong learners. The capacity to innovate is no longer an added value in our careers; it is not a differentiator but rather the very entry ticket, regardless of our academic level. Innovation has evolved into an ongoing, creative process.

A sabbatical at the NSAS, accessing all of the program’s Advanced Courses, will be the time to explore in-depth areas of neuroscience typically outside your own league. All of this will take place in a uniquely advanced scientific environment and within the extraordinary cultural setting of the most beautiful city in the world.

Powerful learning experiences are linked to the physical and social environments in which they occur. This is because physical places enrich learning experiences, allowing them to be remembered in a way that deepens understanding. The NSAS will offer you this unique opportunity.

“Social science studies have shown that living abroad enhances creativity and represents a unique kind of transitional experience that  actually increases self-concept clarity” (Harvard Business Review, May 2018)

Eligibility

The Short Sabbatical is suitable for individuals who hold a Faculty Position, a Group Leader Position, or an equivalent position. Established scholars transitioning to a faculty or a comparable position in a company are also considered.

A sabbatical stay may be limited to a period covering a minimum of three Advanced Courses or may be extended to the entire program of Advanced Courses in Venice.

Admissions are on a rolling basis, and once qualified applicants have been accepted, admissions will be closed until the following year. The number of seats available for the Short Sabbatical is limited, and interested participants are encouraged to apply early.

Application & Fees

In order to apply, please email us at

applications@neurosas.org

and include the following material:

– A curriculum vitae

– A statement describing the reasons why you would like to spend a sabbatical at the NSAS. This should not exceed one page.

Once your Application has been accepted, you will have two weeks to transfer a deposit equal to 25% of the total Fees for your stay. The remaining fees are due no later than 12 weeks before the start of your intended period at the NSAS.

The Fees for the Short Sabbatical depend on the length of stay and the time of year; they typically vary between €390 and €750 per Advanced Course attended.

Accommodation

Participants typically arrange their own accommodation in Venice independently. For shorter periods, accommodation at the venue, the Island of San Servolo, is also an option, pending availability.

Unlike during short tourist visits, as a resident, you will find that the cost of living in Venice is very reasonable. Eating out may vary, from €7-€10 for individual servings, such as pasta, pizza by the slice, or sandwiches, to €35-€45 for trattorias, the typical moderately priced Italian restaurants. Venice is also famous for its gourmet street foods (“bacari”), a Venetian tradition that you will certainly enjoy during your stay. Gourmet meals paired with vintage wines are priced higher but remain reasonable compared to many European or North American cities. You will find that you can also eat very well and inexpensively by buying local foods from farmers’ markets, the wonderful fish market, food stores, or supermarkets. You can assume that your living expenses in Venice will be about what they would be if you were living away from home for an extended period in a medium-sized American city and, most likely, quite a bit less once you get to know the city.