Aims and Objectives

The British Neuroscience Association, formerly known as The Brain Research Association, was officially relaunched in 1997, continuing many of the traditions of the Brain Research Association but with a professional and revamped style. Membership has increased since that time, now standing at over 1300. The BNA is the largest body in the UK representing all aspects of neuroscience from ion channels to whole animal behaviour to neuroscience applications in the clinic. The Aims and Objectives of the Association are as follows:

1. To promote on a multidisciplinary basis the study of the development structure and function of the nervous system in health and disease.
2. To promote the dissemination of information to all those interested in the neurosciences and related disciplines by means of lectures, discussions, meetings and reports from time to time obtained from such researchers.
3. To advise as far as possible on issues in neurosciences related to health and disease.
4. To endeavour to increase public awareness and understanding of neuroscience research in health and disease.
5. To assist in the training of neuroscientists and other professionals engaged in neuroscience teaching and research.
6. To represent the interests of neuroscience researchers and to promote the case for the advancement of neuroscience research in the United Kingdom to government, to agencies providing research funding and to bodies engaged in science administration, regulation and standards. [Adopted by unanimous vote at the EGM on 9th May 2011]. 

The BNA achieves these aims as follows:

1. By hosting a national meeting biennially, by publishing the proceedings of that meeting and distributing them to the scientific community.
2. By organising a number of focused 'One Day symposia' during the year, contributing to training courses for young neuroscientists and organising public lectures and events.
3. By regularly distributing information via the BNA Bulletin or by the BNA e-bulletin informing members about other relevant events, publications and topical issues.
4. By encouraging attendance at its own national meeting, and those to which it is affiliated, by awarding bursaries to students and young postdoctoral workers, and facilitating participation in the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting by offering sponsored abstract forms.
5. By awarding graduate and undergraduate prizes, and special awards to senior neuroscientists and to lay people who have contributed significantly through their own charitable work to the success of our discipline.
6. By constantly negotiating special discount prices of relevant books and journals, and by offering free online access to the European Journal of Neuroscience.