The British Neuroscience Association is the voice of UK neuroscience today

The British Neuroscience Association is the largest UK organisation representing all aspects of neuroscience from ion channels to whole animal behaviour to neuroscience applications in the clinic.

Message from the President

“Every day we see something about the brain on TV, radio, social media and in the newspapers.  We are all fascinated by how the brain works in health and disease.  Disorders of the brain cost nearly €800 billion every year, with an estimated third of the European population being affected.  These alarming figures are rising, so never has it been more important to invest in brain research.  Neuroscience in Britain is world-class and the British Neuroscience Association is here to drive research forward.  Help us to help you in the challenges we all face.”

Professor Russell Foster, University of Oxford

Aims and Objectives

The Aims of the BNA are to:

• promote neuroscience research
• organise lectures, symposia, meetings, events and reports 
• advise on issues in neuroscience
• engage with the public and the media
• train neuroscientists and other neuroscience-related professionals 
• represent UK neuroscience to Government, funding agencies, and  science administration, regulation and standards organisations.

To achieve these aims, we:

• distribute information via the BNA Bulletin and  the BNA e-bulletin
• host a national meeting every 2 years, publish the proceedings of that meeting and distribute them to the scientific community.
• organise a number of focused one-day symposia at UK universities each year
• contribute to training courses for young neuroscientists
• award bursaries to students and young postdoctoral workers to enable them to attend  BNA, Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and other affiliated society meetings
• offer sponsored abstract forms for participation in the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting
• award graduate and undergraduate prizes, and special awards to senior neuroscientists and to lay people who have contributed significantly to neuroscience research.
• negotiate special discount prices of relevant books and journals, and offer free online access to the European Journal of Neuroscience.
• organise public lectures and events
• talk to the media about neuroscience research and related issues
• represent UK neuroscience and participating in national and international science policy matters

The Rules of the BNA are laid down in the Memorandum of Incorporation and the Articles of Association which may be dowloaded here.  The current versions of both documents were filed with the Charity Commission in May 2011.