Sping Lin came to the University of Minnesota in 1947 from Guangzhou China on a U. S. fellowship for postgraduate training. His wife Ying-ngoh Lin came a year later. After receiving his Ph. D. degree and working as a Research Fellow in the Department of Entomology for two years, he resigned from his post, preparing to go back to the new People's Republic of China. However, the Lins were not able to do so because of the involvement of China in the Korean War. Dr. Lin was fortunate to find a position in the then Division of Neurology of the University of Minnesota Medical School, where he remained as a member of its faculty until his retirement. The Lins have two children: James Tse-ming Lin, an oncologist, and Judy Tse-ming Lin, an ophthalmologist.

In deep gratitude for the opportunities the University of Minnesota and this country gave them, the Lins establish this fellowship to encourage and support graduate students pursuing a Ph.D. degree in basic neuroscience in this Medical School. The Awards and Recognition Committee of the Graduate Program in Neuroscience administers the grant application and awards processes. The Minnesota Medical Foundation administers the fellowship endowment

The Lin Fellowship is intended to support students in the Graduate Program in Neuroscience who work in laboratories that have temporarily lost national funding.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Application Material

1) Statement of need by advisor
2) Description of progress of research by student
3) Graduate student transcripts

Evaluation Criteria

1) Progress made by the student on dissertation research
2) Student's performance in classes and preliminary exams
3) Need for support

Evaluation Process

The Awards Committee will meet twice yearly, in June and December, to evaluate applications. In 2001, a single award will be made for $5,000. Starting in 2002, no more than one award for $5,000 will be made at the June meeting. If an award is given at the June meeting, only one award for $5,000 will be given at the December meeting. If an award is not given at the June meeting, the committee may make two awards, each of $5,000, or a single award of $10,000 during the December meeting. If no awards are made within a year, all of the interest for that year will be added to the principal of the Fellowship.