Science Matters! Statement from FENS and Allies

05 March 2025

FENS News, Neuroscience News, Society & Partner News

Read the full statement below

Public Release Date: 5 March 2025, 15:00 CET

Science Matters!

A Statement from the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies & Allies

Science drives discoveries that expand knowledge and understanding of ourselves, the world, and future possibilities, based on rigorous, evidence-based research. Together with many others, FENS – the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies – has witnessed threats to the scientific endeavour in the United States with recent funding cuts and freezes, restrictive policies, stop-work enforcements, and the spread of misinformation. These challenges have global repercussions, undermining international scientific collaboration, a cornerstone of not only scientific research itself, but also of global scientific knowledge exchange.

A reduction in public funding will slow down and jeopardise scientific progress and medical breakthroughs vital for societal development, increase disease burden, and impact communities facing environmental and health crises. Any restrictions on funding or collaboration also risk silencing the voices of those individuals affected by neurological and psychiatric diseases, limiting essential advancements that would improve the lives of millions of people worldwide. Furthermore, it will weaken global innovation and stability, which is essential for building stronger, more resilient economies.

Threats to academic freedom, barriers to open scientific inquiry and responsible animal research, and the rapid dissemination of misinformation may also further weaken public trust in science at a time when evidence-based solutions and scientific knowledge are more important than ever. Without sustained investment and support, the pace of discovery will decline, having profoundly damaging longterm consequences that may take years or even decades to restore.

Discriminatory policies targeting diversity, equity and inclusion as well as marginalised and underrepresented groups will also threaten the scientific community. It is a moral obligation to stand up for our colleagues to support their continued inclusion in scientific research.

FENS and its allies express our full support to our scientific friends in the U.S. who fight against these imposed threats and call on communities around the world to stand up together in solidarity because science matters! With a united voice, we can further strengthen and protect the scientific enterprise to help ensure the health and well-being of all. Science knows no borders, and when we invest in science together, we build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future for everyone everywhere.

#sciencematters • #standupforscience • #sciencenotsilence • #scienceforall

FENS Societies and allies:

• ALBA Network
• Austrian Neuroscience Association (ANA)
• Azerbaijan Neuroscience Society (ANS)
• Belgian Society for Neuroscience (BSN)
• Brain Research Society of Finland (BRSF)
• British Neuroscience Association (BNA)
• Cajal Advanced Neuroscience Training Programme
• Canadian Association for Neuroscience (CAN)
• Czech Neuroscience Society Danish Society for Neuroscience (DSFN)
• Dutch Neurofederation
• EBRAINS
• European Animal Research Association (EARA)
• European Behavioural Pharmacology Society (EBPS)
• European Brain and Behaviour Society (EBBS)
• European Brain Council (EBC)
• European Federation of Neurological Associations (EFNA)
• European Journal of Neuroscience (EJN)
• European Sleep Research Society (ESRS)
• Federation of Asian-Oceanian Neuroscience Societies (FAONS)
• Federation of Latin American and Caribbean Neuroscience Associations (FALAN)
• FENS Kavli Network of Excellence (FKNE)
• French Neuroscience Society
• GAMIAN-Europe
• Georgian Neuroscience Association
• German Neuroscience Society (NWG)
• Hellenic Society for Neuroscience (HSfN)
• Icelandic Society for Neuroscience
• International Behavioural and Neural Genetics Society (IBANGS)
• International Neuroinformatics Coordinating Facility (INCF)
• International Brain Initiative (IBI)
• Italian Society for Neuroscience (SINS)
• Lithuanian Neuroscience Association (LNA)
• Mediterranean Neuroscience Society (ΜNS)
• NeuroLéman Network
• Neuroscience Society of Turkey
• Neuroscience Ireland (NSI)
• Norwegian Neuroscience Society (NNS)
• Polish Neuroscience Society (PTBUN)
• Portuguese Society for Neuroscience (SPN)
• Serbian Neuroscience Society (SNS)
• Slovak Society for Neuroscience (SSN)
• Slovenian Neuroscience Association (SiNAPSA)
• Society of Neuroscientists of Africa (SONA)
• Spanish Brain Council
• Spanish Society for Neuroscience (SENC)
• Swedish Society for Neuroscience (SSfN)
• Ukrainian Society for Neuroscience (USN)

If your organisation wishes to be added as a signatory, please contact communications@fens.org. Thank you for your support!

About FENS

FENS – the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies – is the leading organisation for neuroscience in Europe, representing 42 member societies in 32 countries and uniting over 22,000 scientists. Founded in 1998, FENS promotes and supports neuroscience research across Europe and globally by fostering scientific exchange and collaboration with a core commitment to inclusivity, diversity, and scientific integrity. By connecting scientists across disciplines and borders, FENS works to advance scientific discovery and strengthen the role of neuroscience in addressing global health challenges and improving lives