Collaborative Neuroscience 

Progress in neuroscience depends on collaboration. The complexity of the brain and nervous system means that the biggest challenges cannot be solved by individuals, institutions or sectors working alone. 

The BNA brings neuroscientists together across disciplines, sectors and national borders, creating opportunities to share knowledge, build partnerships and strengthen the UK neuroscience community. By supporting collaboration, we help accelerate discovery, improve translation and maximise the impact of neuroscience research for society. 

International collaboration 

Neuroscience is a global endeavour, and maintaining strong international connections is essential for scientific excellence. 

The BNA is proud to be part of the global neuroscience community. Our members span more than 50 countries, and we work with leading international organisations to foster collaboration and maximise the global impact of brain science. 

As a founding member of the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), the BNA has helped build and support a thriving European neuroscience community. We continue to champion international collaboration through our partnerships, our growing international membership, and the international reach of the Festival of Neuroscience. 

We also advocate for policies that enable researchers to collaborate across borders. This includes supporting the UK's participation in international research programmes such as Horizon Europe and promoting researcher mobility, recognising that conferences, exchanges and short-term visits are vital for sharing knowledge, developing careers and building lasting collaborations. 

Find out more about our International Partners. 

Connecting sectors 

Innovation in neuroscience depends on bringing together expertise from academia, industry, healthcare, charities, policy and beyond. 

The BNA works with organisations across the neuroscience ecosystem to create opportunities for collaboration, networking and knowledge exchange. By connecting people from different sectors, we help strengthen research, improve translation and ensure neuroscience benefits from diverse perspectives and expertise. 

Our Building Bridges Between: Industry and Academia initiative supports collaboration between researchers working in academia and industry through events, networking and shared learning. It also helps showcase the breadth of careers in neuroscience and supports scientists moving between sectors. 

Alongside this, we work with a wide range of organisational partners to connect our members with the broader neuroscience community and create opportunities for collaboration throughout the year. 

Find out more about our organisation partnerships and how we connect members across the neuroscience ecosystem.