New BRAIN initiative announced at White House

The Kavli Foundation applauds today's launch by President Obama of his Administration's ambitious research effort to understand the brain by deciphering the brain's activity that gives rise to our perceptions, our experiences and our consciousness. The effort, called the Brain Research through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative -- or BRAIN Initiative -- is a broad, collaborative research initiative to advance the science and technologies needed to unlock the mysteries of the human brain.

Described by the President as a Grand Challenge of the 21st Century, the BRAIN Initiative builds on a solid foundation of collaborative work already underway in the neuroscience and nanoscience communities, including a seminal 2011 meeting of 13 neuroscientists and 14 nanoscientists at the Kavli Royal Society International Centre outside of London entitled, Opportunities at the Interface of Neuroscience and Nanoscience.

It is a tremendous honor to be partnering with President Obama on our efforts to advance science for the benefit of humanity and for our commitment to continue this important work in support of the BRAIN initiative, said Fred Kavli, founder and chairman of The Kavli Foundation. We believe strongly that science is the key to a better world and better quality of life for all. Basic science research has a particularly unique role in enabling the advancement of society. Only by exploring uncharted frontiers can we make the discoveries that become the foundation for making life better for future generations, ranging from new treatments for diseases to more efficient sources of energy to so much more.

The Kavli Foundation is honored to be here with the many scientists gathered today to advance this scientific Grand Challenge, said Foundation President Robert W. Conn, who attended the announcement at the White House. Science is essential to improving our understanding of the world we live in, and the quality of life we experience when compared to just a hundred years ago. These days, great initiatives can only come from a broad partnership that brings together government, scientists, research institutions, industries, philanthropic foundations and of course the public. We look forward to continuing our support for this initiative because understanding the human brain is the most complex scientific problem today. To be in a position to learn about how the brain functions, and how and why it yields its amazing properties such as consciousness and deep thoughtfulness, is humbling yet terrifically exciting. It will be a long road but one that will yield not just understanding but insights into diseases of the mind that will one day relieve much human suffering.