Richard Exell

The British Neuroscience Association has sent an open letter to the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, protesting at the twenty per cent cut in neuroscience funding, equivalent to about £4 million a year for the next five years. The BNA points to a survey of Top European Institutions in Neuroscience and Behaviour, where 6 of the top ten places were taken by British universities and “the highest scores for neuroscience and behaviour research quality were achieved by UK laboratories.” But, they add, “it is not clear how the UK will sustain its strength in these areas if funding is reduced.” The cuts, the BNA argues, will reduce “the strength of an area of research in which the United Kingdom excels.”