NSF supports declaration of International Brain Initiative

NSF has long supported research at the frontiers in cognitive science and neuroscience achieved by cross-disciplinary teams across the U.S., often in close cooperation with international partners. Recently NSF made its first round of Next Generation Networks for Neuroscience. Shown here are mouse brain cells labeled with Brainbow and visualized with expansion microscopy, captured by Edward Boyden of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Albert-Laszlo Barabasi of Northeastern University, who received an award from the NSF Integrative Strategies for Understanding Neural and Cognitive Systems (NCS) program earlier this year.

Credit: Ed Boyden, MIT

Original press release published by the National Science Foundation. 

World’s major brain research projects collaborate to advance understanding of brain

The National Science Foundation (NSF) joins with other U.S. federal agencies and international partners in its support for a declaration to create an International Brain Initiative.

Representatives from the United States, Australia, Europe, Japan and Korea made the declaration at the Australian Academy of Science in Canberra, Australia last week. The declaration coincides with the launch of a new Australian Brain Initiative.

NSF is a founding partner and leader in the U.S. BRAIN Initiative, a coordinated research effort that seeks to accelerate the development of new neurotechnologies. NSF participates in the BRAIN Initiative as part of its investments in support of Understanding the Brain.

In 2016, NSF supported a conference of scientists and government representatives from countries with significant investments in neuroscience research to enhance collaboration and better coordinate global efforts in fundamental neuroscience research. This new declaration is a continuation of the progress made at that event toward stronger global collaboration on brain research.

NSF recently made its first round of Next Generation Networks for Neuroscience (NeuroNex) awards to support the development of innovative, accessible and shared capabilities and resources, and theoretical frameworks and computational modeling to advance neuroscience research. The agency has long supported research at the frontiers in cognitive science and neuroscience achieved by cross-disciplinary teams across the U.S., often in close cooperation with international partners.

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Media Contacts
Sarah Bates, NSF, (703) 292-7738, email:sabates@nsf.gov
Robert J. Margetta, NSF, (703) 292-2663, email:rmargett@nsf.gov

Related Websites
NSF Understanding the Brain: https://nsf.gov/brain