Neuroscience

OVERVIEW

NSF is interested in exploring research frontiers that increase the cross-fertilization and mutual benefit between neuroscience and the physical sciences. The physical sciences are broadly construed in this context to include physics, chemistry, materials science, mathematics, statistics, computer science, engineering, and related disciplines.

Various aspects of neuroscience are supported in each of the directorates at NSF. NSF is particularly interested in high-risk, high-impact, transformative research opportunities that will trigger major new scientific and technological advances, both in neuroscience and in the physical sciences.

To date, several workshops have been held to explore and articulate this mutual opportunity.

The following reports represent the collective views of the workshop participants and not of the National Science Foundation and are available for public comment:

• Workshop Report: "A Report on Grand Challenges of Mind and Brain" (July 17-18, 2006)
  
  
• Steering Group Report: "Brain Science as a Mutual Opportunity for the Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Computer Science, and Engineering" (August 21-22, 2006)
  
  
• Workshop Report: "NSF Workshop on Neuroscience and Mathematical Cognition" (May 17-18, 2007)
  
  
• Workshop Summary: "From Molecules to Mind: Challenges for the 21st Century, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) Forum on Neuroscience and Nervous System Disorders" (June 25, 2008)
  
  
• WTEC Study: International Assessment of Brain-Computer Interface Research (2005-2008)
  
  

For more information on neuroscience activities at NSF, contact Semahat S. Demir at (703) 292-7950.