exhibit 10. 17 project assignment this project assignment is issued under the independent contractor services agreement ( “ original agreement ” ) dated april 17, 2003, between scientific learning corporation of oakland, california ( “ slc ” ) and dr. paula tallal of new york, new york ( “ contractor ” ). services to be performed : consulting services related to slc ’ s customer relationships and research planning, specifically : ( 1 ) public speaking to the education community and to the speech and language professional community ; ( 2 ) assisting with slc ’ s relationship with private providers of fast forword products ; and ( 3 ) assisting with the relationship between the scientific community and slc. services will be performed on a schedule mutually agreed upon by slc and contractor. time period during which services will be performed : the term of this contract will begin january 1, 2012 and end december 31, 2012, subject to termination as provided in section 6a of the agreement. fees for services : fee will be based on the schedule below : fee will be a rate per day of $ 1, 500. expenses : slc will reimburse contractor for reasonable business expenses incurred in connection with providing services requested by slc, in accordance with slc ’ s regular business expense reimbursement policies. note : this project assignment is governed by the terms of an independent contractor services agreement in effect between slc and contractor. any item in this project assignment which is inconsistent with that agreement is invalid. signed : / s / andy myers / s / paula tallal for client hiring manager for contractor dated : 2 / 24 / 2012 2 / 24 / 2012 project assignment this project assignment is issued under the independent contractor services agreement ( “ original agreement ” ) dated april 17, 2003, between scientific learning corporation of oakland, california ( “ slc ” ) and dr. paula tallal of new york, new york ( “ contractor ” ). services to be performed : consulting services related to slc ’ s customer relationships and research planning, specifically : ( 1 ) public speaking to the education community and to the speech and language professional community ; ( 1 ) public speaking to the education community and to the speech and language professional community ; ( 1 ) ( 1 ) public speaking to the education community and to the speech and language professional community ; ( 2 ) assisting with slc ’ s relationship with private providers of fast forword products ; and ( 2 ) assisting with slc ’ s relationship with private providers of fast for