The F12A study section reviews fellowship applications investigating language and other types of communication and their development across the lifespan [infancy through old age], primarily in humans. All forms of language and communication, both normal and disordered, are considered. Also considered by the F12A fellowship study section are applications investigating cognition and perception and their development across the lifespan. Normal and disordered forms of cognition and perception are considered.  

• Language development and origins of language/communication disorders
• Language comprehension and production
• Non-linguistic communication
• Brain-regions underlying language/communication abilities
• Perceptual and cognitive processes underlying reading and writing abilities
• Perceptual mechanisms for all sensory modalities
• Reasoning, decision-making, and problem-solving
• Intelligence and aptitudes
• Cognitive/perceptual mechanisms underlying behavioral and mental disorders
• Acquisition of knowledge and skills
• Planning and monitoring of actions
• Executive function

Shared Interests

With F01 (Brain Disorders and Related Neuroscience): Fellowship applications focus predominantly on anatomical substrates, neurotransmitter, and receptor function related to language, cognitive or perceptual processes related to neural disorders or injury may be assigned to the F01 fellowship study section. Fellowship applications concerning language, cognitive or perceptual processes that are primarily behavioral in emphasis may be assigned to F12A.

With F02A (Behavioral Neuroscience): Fellowship applications that focus on learning and memory with emphasis on how the nervous system is organized and functions at an integrative, systems level may be assigned to F02A.  Fellowship applications that emphasize biobehavioral and behavioral bases of learning and memory (central, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and/or genetic) may be assigned to F12A.

With F02B (Sensory, Motor, and Cognitive Neuroscience): Fellowship applications on sensory or cognitive neuroscience at an integrative level may be assigned to F02B.  Fellowship applications primarily on behavioral science may be assigned to F12A.

With F11 (Psychosocial and Developmental Processes, Personality, and Behavior): Fellowship applications that emphasize individual differences, interpersonal processes, life course transitions, or contextual effects related to social, developmental, and personality psychology may be assigned to F11. Fellowship applications that emphasize biobehavioral and behavioral bases (including central, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and genetic factors) of cognitive, perceptual or communicative processes may be assigned to F12A.

With F12B (Psychopathology, Developmental Disabilities, Stress and Aging): Fellowship applications that emphasize the biological or physical bases of social, psychological or emotional conditions and processes in disordered populations, including animal models, may be assigned to F12B. Fellowship applications that emphasize the biobehavioral and behavioral (including central, autonomic, neuroendocrine, and genetic) bases of cognitive, perceptual or communicative processes may be assigned to F12A.