The Harvard Brain Science Initiative (HBI) was launched in 2014 by the Office of the Provost of Harvard University as a cross-school initiative. Its mission is to unite and inspire Harvard’s diverse, multidisciplinary brain science community, promoting interdisciplinary and cross-campus interactions among neuroscientists within the University and its affiliated hospitals. HBI aims to enhance research, enrich education, engage the public in brain science, and collectively expand its impact for the betterment of human health and society.
- Interdisciplinary Collaboration: HBI fosters a “One Harvard” approach, coordinating and serving the neuroscience research, teaching, and medical community as a whole. It brings together basic researchers and physician-scientists across campuses and disciplines in Cambridge and the Greater Boston Area.
- Research Support: The initiative ensures that resources are available for basic researchers to initiate high-risk projects and make fundamental discoveries. HBI has awarded faculty seed grants to support the start of over 100 outstanding and creative new neuroscience projects.
- Educational Enhancement: HBI enhances training opportunities for students and fellows, providing platforms that encourage interdisciplinary thinking and helping neuroscientists from different parts of the university and affiliated hospitals stay abreast of each other’s accomplishments.
- Community Engagement: The initiative engages with neuroscientists at other institutions and the general public to exchange ideas and share progress on some of the biggest challenges facing brain science and medicine today.
- Community Groups: HBI supports various community groups, such as gNeuro, Neural Development Club, Axon Biology Group, and Neuroendocrine Dialogs, which gather diverse researchers in ongoing scientific conversations.
- Events and Seminars: HBI organizes events and seminars to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among the neuroscience community. For example, the “gNeuro Special Seminar” and “Ion Channels in Neuro 101” are upcoming events that provide platforms for researchers to share their latest discoveries and insights.
Through these initiatives, HBI aspires to build and nurture a scientific community that is diverse, inclusive, and welcoming, ultimately advancing the field of neuroscience for the betterment of human health and society.