Charting Our Next 75 Years

In June, the Dana Foundation celebrated 75 years of supporting health and education in neuroscience. In preparation for our anniversary events and celebrations, I often reflected on our progress and impact in science over so many decades—on what has changed, what remains the same, and what the future demands from us.

When Charles A. Dana established the Dana Foundation in 1950, his focus was on sponsorship of independence—helping others to help themselves—with priority initiatives in the areas of health research and higher education. His early work focused on supporting cancer research and  “brick and mortar” needs of high-quality, independent liberal arts colleges with modest endowments. By the late 1950s, he had launched the Dana Foundation’s first scholarship programs as well as grants to professors at multiple colleges and universities. These early initiatives laid the groundwork for Dana’s philanthropic investments, and by the 1970s, the Foundation shifted its focus to strategic grantmaking to further strengthen impact and support the long-term vitality of science research.

In the 1980s, as significant breakthroughs were being made in translational research, advancements in neuroscience began to emerge as a promising area of opportunity in science and health. By 1990, the Dana Foundation had awarded $6 million across five major medical centers to train physicians and clinical investigators in neurology and neurosurgery. It was the beginning of a new era in our history.

In the 30 years since then, the Foundation has remained firmly committed to the advancement of brain science. We launched programs to educate policymakers and the general public that have since evolved, while other programs to advance public engagement in brain science, like Brain Awareness Week, have grown in reach. But what became clear was that alongside rapid progress in neuroscience, the ethical, legal, and societal implications of the field were vast—and growing.

Since stepping into the role of President and CEO four years ago, I’ve witnessed firsthand the positive impact that neuroscience can have on society when it is shaped by the aspirations and values of the people it seeks to serve. At the Dana Foundation, we’ve deepened our commitment to advancing neuroscience in ways that promote both innovation and responsibility. Our goal remains clear: to bridge the gap between discoveries in the lab and the interdisciplinary insights needed to improve lives.

As we look ahead, we do so with a renewed sense of responsibility—to science, to higher education, and to the diverse communities that make our work meaningful. We are committed to continuously learning and evolving, guided by rigorous evaluation and a steadfast belief in the importance of trust and collaboration in science.

Strengthening Trust Through Collaboration

At the heart of our approach is the belief that science is most impactful when it is co-created. From the earliest stages of planning through to implementation, we encourage our grantees to design programs in partnership with the communities they aim to support. Whether it’s individuals with implanted brain-computer interfaces contributing to the development of neurotechnology, or postdoctoral fellows working side by side with local leaders through human-centered design workshops, these collaborative models reflect our commitment to including many perspectives in research. They also help foster trust in science—something we believe is essential for long-term progress.

Leading with Empathy, Humility, and Deep Listening

A common reflection from attendees at our recent anniversary convening struck a deep chord: When science is led with empathy, humility, and a willingness to listen, its potential to improve lives expands. These values are essential whether we’re hearing from a family navigating care for a loved one with a traumatic brain injury, or from a rural mental health provider working to integrate neuroscience into their practice. These perspectives remind us that scientific breakthroughs must be grounded in lived experience to create lasting, meaningful change.

Examples of our most recently supported projects through the Dana Education, NextGen, and Frontiers programs reflect these values in action. At Vanderbilt University, the Dana Education program is supporting the development of an experiential learning initiative for high school students, exploring how attention, learning, and memory are influenced by smartphone use. Through the Dana NextGen program, Stellenbosch University is creating a short course in African neuroscience, neuroethics, and society—bringing together first-year master’s students in South Africa across disciplines such as psychology, neurosurgery, medicine, and public health. And with support from the Dana Frontiers program, UnRavelled Outreach is launching a multi-state, multidisciplinary engagement effort to reshape public understanding of frontotemporal dementia (FTD) by amplifying community voices and building inclusive partnerships across neuroscience, caregiving, and the arts.

For many decades, the Dana Foundation has embraced a bold vision—that science could uplift and enrich society. Today, we carry that vision forward by listening as boldly as we innovate. Whether we are fostering public understanding of neuroscience, supporting the next generation of scientific leaders, or expanding opportunities for community engagement, we remain focused on the people at the heart of our mission.

Our commitment to our core values is unwavering. And as we chart our course into the future, we do so with purpose, compassion, and the belief that science, at its best, is a shared endeavor.