Grant Season for Brain Awareness Week Begins

The 2025 grant season for Brain Awareness Week is officially underway! Every March, organizations worldwide plan activities to foster public enthusiasm and support for brain science. These initiatives are orchestrated by Brain Awareness Week organizers—often educators and members of the scientific community dedicated to science outreach and education.

The Dana Foundation, which founded Brain Awareness Week in 1996, supports these efforts through grants to both the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS) and the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO). FENS provides funding to organizers in European countries, while IBRO distributes grants to organizers from all regions outside Europe. These grants help fund engaging and educational activities, particularly in areas that may lack the necessary resources and support for such events.

Both organizations are now accepting applications for the 2025 Brain Awareness Week campaign. The FENS grant application cycle is open until October 3, with applicants able to receive up to EUR 1,000. IBRO’s grant submission period runs until October 31, where groups can apply for grants of up to USD 1,250.

FENS and IBRO encourage applicants to consider projects exploring the intersection of neuroscience and society. For example, applicants might propose projects that examine the interaction between neuroscience and law, ethics, the arts, medicine, or social science, among other fields. By integrating neuroscience with various fields, these projects emphasize the broader societal connections and promote more holistic solutions to local and global challenges.

Whether it is a brain fair, lab tour, or trivia night, support from FENS or IBRO can amplify the impact of Brain Awareness Week events. For insights into trends and how Brain Awareness Week promotes community-focused neuroscience research, check out this interview with Kathleen Roina, director of the Dana Foundation’s Education program.

The 2025 Brain Awareness Week campaign will take place from March 10 to March 16. For more information about Brain Awareness Week and how to get involved, visit the Brain Awareness Week homepage, and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.