Housed in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Institute supports researchers at all levels across UConn and UConn Health. We offer a variety of services to affiliates of the Institute so that they can do their best work, facilitate collaborations, and develop competitive external funding applications.

The Institute was founded in 2015. Today, our work is guided by the following priorities.

Interdisciplinary Research

The Institute supports the science of the mind and its applications in fields as diverse as medicine, education, artificial systems, and beyond. Our faculty have extensive expertise that covers diverse areas of brain and cognitive neuroscience research. 

As science becomes more interdisciplinary and team-based, the Institute also helps UConn researchers stay on the forefront of this trend. Our programs remove silos and build bridges between our affiliated departments, programs, schools, and campuses. By connecting experts in disparate fields, we unlock new opportunities for collaboration and innovation.

Training and Education

The Institute helps UConn students, postdocs, and junior faculty gain experiences they need for successful careers. 

Our services include funding and fellowship opportunities for students and postdocs, helping them gain valuable research training at the early stages of their educational careers. Through programs like our External Application Review Panel, we provide PIs with advice and mentorship so that they can become experts at developing high-quality grant proposals. In addition, the Institute is a resource center for graduate training programs administered across the University, allowing our affiliates to connect with opportunities they may otherwise have missed.

Outreach and Engagement

The Institute engages communities at UConn and beyond. We aspire to be a hub of information for UConn researchers, prospective faculty and students, and granting agencies. Through our events and internal communications, we connect the dots across the University to encourage collaboration and impactful team-based science.

Outside the University, we connect with educators, policymakers, health professionals, and industries across Connecticut. We also translate our research findings to the public through outreach events and media appearances. Through these efforts, we spark interest in brain research and inspire the next generation of scientists, including people from underserved communities.