Celebrating Brain Awareness Week 2025 with Grants for Global Outreach

As March approaches, organizers around the world are preparing for another spectacular Brain Awareness Week. The week is a prime opportunity for researchers, educators, and local organizers to bring brain science to their communities by planning activities that appeal to culturally diverse interests and unique perspectives. The topics are informative—everything from the gut-brain relationship to dance therapy—and the delivery varied.

Talks and panel discussions with scientists never go out of style, but through the years we’ve also delighted in seeing organizers chart new territory in science outreach through art contests, film screenings, trivia, escape rooms, and much more!

This year marks a milestone for Brain Awareness Week, as the campaign celebrates 30 years of inspiring the public about the brain. What began as a US-based initiative in 1996 quickly took off to a global stage. Through our partnerships with the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO) and the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), Brain Awareness Week continues to expand its reach and make neuroscience more accessible to communities around the world.

For Brain Awareness Week 2025, funding has been awarded to 131 projects after a rigorous selection process that began last fall. IBRO has awarded grants to 98 projects spanning 41 countries across Asia-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and Canada/US. In Europe, FENS has announced its support for 33 projects across 25 countries.

The call for grant applications highlighted the importance of exploring the intersection of neuroscience and society. By emphasizing how neuroscience interacts with other fields—whether it be law, ethics, technology, the arts, or others—communities around the world can learn about the complexities of the brain and why research done today is essential to our physical, mental, and social well-being.

Brain Awareness Week grants not only help educate the public, but also highlight the groundbreaking work being done by neuroscientists, educators, and brain enthusiasts, while teaching them about the needs of the community. Funded projects for this year include an array of topics and activities—such as lectures and exhibitions on burnout at Ahmadu Bello University in Nigeria, workshops on brain mapping and research methods at Tehran University in Iran, and lab tours and a ‘Neuro-piñatas’ art contest at the Institute of Biomedical Research in Mexico City.

If you’re planning an activity for this year’s campaign (or next) but don’t know how to get started, FENS and IBRO offer a range of resources to support event organizers and educators. Whether you are looking for educational resources about what our brains do while we sleep or guidance on how to run an engaging outreach event, there are plenty of resources available on the FENS website. Similarly, IBRO lists resources for organizers planning neuroscience and society events.

For additional resources, event ideas, and outreach tools and tips, including a social media toolkit, check out the Dana Foundation’s Brain Awareness Week homepage.

Brain Awareness Week will take place from March 10-16, when organizers around the world—alongside those funded by FENS and IBRO—will host events aimed at sharing the wonders of brain science with the public. Keep an eye out for activities and events in your area or online.

Follow Brain Awareness Week’s Facebook and our new Instagram for campaign updates, participation tips, educational resources, fun facts, and more.