The BRAIN Blog

The BRAIN Initiative® launched an essay and video contest for high school students in March called the BRAIN Initiative Challenge. Winners and honorable mentions will be announced and highlighted at the upcoming BRAIN Initiative meeting.

Last month, members of the Multi-Council Working Group (MCWG) met virtually to discuss the current state of the NIH BRAIN Initiative and to learn about new chemical and synthetic biology technologies.

Please join us virtually on June 21-22 at the BRAIN Initiative’s 8th Annual Meeting and hear from our three plenary speakers as they share their expertise and insights with the BRAIN research community. 

Apply by June 17 to attend a hackathon at the Allen Institute from October 3-5, 2022 where participants will have the opportunity to reanalyze existing open datasets to generate new insights. 

The Notice of Special Interest reflects participation by additional NIH Institutes and Centers, including the BRAIN Initiative. The deadline for letters of intent to apply for a partnership award is June 13, 2022, and applications for projects are due by July 13, 2022. 

Last week marked my second anniversary as BRAIN Director, an amazing opportunity and challenge for which I am deeply grateful. Over the past two years, I’ve strived to maintain perspective about all that we do, and to be guided by others’ views and critiques. People often ask me, “What’s the payoff, and when will we see it?” These questions are important, considering the magnitude of BRAIN investments and the promises we’ve made to better understand neural circuit function and develop new cures.

The National Academy of Sciences recently elected new members Drs. Elizabeth Buffalo, Hollis Cline, Stephen Lisberger, Helen Mayberg, and Jay Shendure for their distinguished and continuing achievements in original research.  

Help us select the winners for this year’s contest by casting your vote through June 13!  

The BRAIN Initiative’s yearly meeting is making a change from a hybrid to all-virtual format.  

A pre-recorded webinar and slide set are available for applicants interested in learning more about the BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS) Program.