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Dana Frontiers

The Dana Frontiers program aims to increase engagement with neuroscience among diverse publics to deepen trust and inform policy. We support the creation of shared goals between scientific and public communities, advance multidirectional engagement, and support boundary-spanners in neuroscience and society.

  • Objective One

    Support goal-driven engagement to cultivate trust between communities of people, including patients, researchers, and professionals.

  • Objective Two

    Advance models for multidirectional engagement that embed public perspectives in research, policy, and decision-making.

  • Objective Three

    Develop a new cadre of leaders who champion effective models for multidirectional engagement.

    • Current

    Grants in Dana Frontiers

    Boston University's College of Communications
    This grant supports a pilot collaboration for six monthly Dana Discovery Dialogues bringing together diverse speakers on neuroscience and society topics, and a Dana Discovery Roundtable, for journalists who cover neuroscience and society topics, to help the Foundation better understand the needs of journalists who report on this field.
    Read Grant Details
    Institute for Methods Innovation
    This grant supports a Neuroscience and Society Design Sprint bringing together neuroscience researchers, policymakers, and community members to define challenges at the intersection of neuroscience and society, and to co-create and implement community-driven solutions that will translate neuroscience research into local societal impact.
    Read Grant Details
    Knowable Magazine (Annual Reviews)
    This grant supported a series of public virtual events, to explore how neurodevelopment shapes every stage of our lives, and a workshop for professionals, to create deeper engagement opportunities for them to apply relevant neuroscience findings to their work.
    Read Grant Details

    Important Dates

    Upcoming events and deadlines

    December 13, 2023

    Conversations Between Your Gut and Brain

    January 24, 2024

    How the Brain Decides

    FAQs for Grant Seekers

    What is neuroscience and society? Is it the same as neuroethics, bioethics, or science and technology studies? Does my work fit?

    Neuroscience and society is the multidisciplinary study of how neuroscience informs and reflects society, and practical work to put these ideas into action. Neuroscience and society includes fields where neuroscience interfaces with the world, such as ethics, law, humanities, medicine, arts, social sciences, policy, education, journalism, and public engagement. This list is meant to be illustrative, not exhaustive. Other disciplines may fall within the purview of neuroscience and society.

    While neuroscience and society is not the same as neuroethics, bioethics, or science and technology studies, there are areas of overlap.

    For further information, please visit our Neuroscience and Society page. Applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation if they have questions.

    What does the Dana Foundation fund?

    The Dana Foundation is a nonprofit grantmaking institution that works to advance neuroscience that benefits society and reflects the aspirations of all people. Grant applications are made to a particular program. Interested applicants should read through the Foundation’s program descriptions in the Our Work section of the website carefully. Each program page includes a statement of the program’s goal and objectives, a list of recent grants, and a section with information on how to apply. Prospective applicants are encouraged to explore the grants awarded within a program to gain insight into the types of projects supported.

    I would like more information about the Foundation’s program areas. Who should I contact?

    Visit our Contact Us section to reach the program area of choice, or visit our staff page to email a program staff member directly. To receive occasional notifications about our funding opportunities, subscribe to our Grants Email Alerts.

    I’m not sure my area of work fits under the Foundation’s program areas. Who should I contact?

    Interested applicants should carefully read through the Foundation’s program descriptions before contacting us. To connect with a program staff member about innovative ideas that align with our programmatic goals and objectives, please visit our Contact Us section and select the program area of choice. We generally do not respond to funding inquiries distinctly outside our domain—Neuroscience & Society.

    Who can apply to receive a grant?

    Applicants must be classified by the Internal Revenue Service as tax-exempt, nonprofit organizations to be eligible for a grant.

    Please note:

    • The Foundation does not make grants to political campaigns, to support political activities, or to lobby for or against legislation.
    • The Foundation does not make grants to individuals.
    • The Foundation does not generally make grants to for-profit institutions.

    For expanded terms, conditions, and policies, please see our General Grant Guidelines.

    Does the Dana Foundation award grants outside of the US?

    The Dana Foundation currently provides international funding for neuroscience and society through our partnerships with FENS and IBRO in the form of Brain Awareness Week grants. Beyond these programs, our grant-making is focused domestically, but we will consider applications from organizations outside of the US on a case-by-case basis. If you are located outside of the US and have a project idea that you believe would strengthen neuroscience’s positive role in the world in alignment with our mission, vision, and values , please send an inquiry on our Contact Us page, selecting the program topic that most closely aligns with your project idea.

    Read Grant Guidelines

    Impact Story

    Getting People Talking: Promoting Public Engagement with Neuroethics

    Picture of card game, Neuro features

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