Funding and policy

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Stories about research grants, funding models and the business of science

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Redefining underrepresentation in global neuroscience

Shifting the focus of equity initiatives from identity categories to structural barriers can reveal overlooked challenges and increase support and participation worldwide.

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Scientific talent is global. Access to the world’s scientific stage is not.

Neuroscience in Chile, and across Latin America, does not lack talent or ideas, but the systems that make science visible—prestigious journals, conferences and networks—increasingly price its researchers out.

By Vicente Medel
27 August 2026 | 8 min read
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Future remains uncertain for U.S. federal funding of behavioral, cognitive science

The National Science Foundation did not include any solicitations for its social, behavioral and economic sciences directorate in its latest round of funding opportunities, nor replace any outgoing program officers—which poses an existential threat for the program, says nonprofit executive Wendy Naus.

By Calli McMurray
26 August 2026 | 5 min read
Illustration of scientists climbing over a barrier to reach publications.

O talento científico é global. O acesso ao cenário científico mundial, não.

A neurociência no Chile e em toda a América Latina não enfrenta falta de talento nem de ideias, mas os sistemas que dão visibilidade à ciência—periódicos de prestígio, conferências e redes—estão cada vez mais fora do alcance financeiro dos pesquisadores.

By Vicente Medel
3 August 2026 | 11 min read
Illustration of scientists climbing over a barrier to reach publications.

El talento científico es global. El acceso al escenario científico mundial, no.

La neurociencia en Chile y a través de Latinoamérica no carece de talento ni ideas, pero los sistemas que hacen la ciencia visible —revistas, conferencias y redes prestigiosas— dejan cada vez más a sus investigadores fuera debido a los costos.

By Vicente Medel
3 August 2026 | 11 min read

Explore more from The Transmitter

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The three-banded panther worm is rewriting the story of brain evolution

The animal has a brain structure all its own, according to a 2026 preprint. The finding hints that brains could have evolved centralization before regionalization.

By Sarah DeWeerdt
4 November 2026 | 7 min read

Does cognition happen in brain areas or between them?

Michael Cole explains how "brain flows" are the fundamental units of brain function and cognition.

By Paul Middlebrooks
4 November 2026 | 1 min read
Brain Flows book cover

‘Brain Flows: How Network Dynamics Compose the Human Mind,’ an excerpt

In his new book, published today, Michael W. Cole examines how the movement of neuronal activity between neuronal populations shapes free will, intelligence and creativity. In this excerpt from Chapter 1, Cole explores why activity flows could unify efforts to map brain functions and connectivity.

By Michael W. Cole
3 November 2026 | 9 min read