Funding and policy

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

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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
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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
Illustration of brain taking shape.

Neuroscientists weigh in on White House proposal for ‘moonshot infrastructure’ for connectomics

A report from the Trump administration calls for a “new golden age” of science, in which the federal government supports mission-driven collaborations to deliver high returns on research investments.

By Sarah Thau
24 July 2026 | 4 min read
Child sitting on a trampoline.

Study questions DSM-5’s combining of autism traits

Sensory traits and restricted and repetitive behaviors are best understood as distinct but related characteristics, the new work suggests.

By Lauren Schenkman
23 July 2026 | 5 min read
Ilustração de um cientista diante de uma paisagem fragmentada.

Redefinindo a sub-representação na neurociência mundial

Mudar o foco das iniciativas de equidade das categorias identitárias para as barreiras estruturais pode revelar desafios negligenciados e aumentar o apoio e a participação em todo o mundo.

Explore more from The Transmitter

Susana Carmona on the neurobiology of pregnancy

In a Q&A about her new book, “A Mother’s Brain,” Carmona shares key moments in her career that led her to study the neuroscience of motherhood and discusses some of the major questions the field still needs to address.

By Francisco J. Rivera Rosario
6 October 2026 | 8 min read
Cerebellar Purkinje cells.

Aging biomarkers in autism; and more

Here is a roundup of autism-related news and research spotted around the web for the week of 5 October.

By Jill Adams
6 October 2026 | 2 min read
Davi Bock standing in front of a poster showing visualizations of connectomes.

Beyond wiring diagrams: Inside a $19 million effort to expand access to connectome technology

Davi Bock’s lab took the millions of images that led to the complete connectome of a fruit fly brain. Now he wants to apply “this high-throughput flashlight across all areas of biology.”

By Calli McMurray
6 October 2026 | 11 min read