The British Neuroscience Association (BNA) has today released a comprehensive preclinical research report, Under Pressure: UK Preclinical Neuroscience at a Crossroads, alongside an open letter to research funders. The report, which is co-authored by Mark Walton, Professor of Behavioural Neuroscience in Experimental Psychology and BNA Trustee for Preclinical Neuroscience, underscores the critical challenges facing preclinical neuroscience in the UK and call for urgent intervention to prevent long-term damage to the nation's neuroscience ecosystem.
Preclinical neuroscience research is research driven by a curiosity to understand fundamental brain processes in health and disease, not by immediate clinical applications. This foundational work provides the scaffold to enable future therapeutic breakthroughs for pressing health crises, including mental health disorders, dementia, and other neurological conditions. The BNA’s report, based on a detailed survey of 122 researchers, highlights a worrying trend: the field is underfunded, career prospects are insecure, and an escalating burden of bureaucracy threatens the future of essential research.
“We are at a crossroads where insufficient funding for fundamental, curiosity-driven brain research, along with insecure career pathways, could jeopardize the UK's global leadership in preclinical neuroscience research,” said Professor Walton. “Without urgent action, we risk losing a generation of talented researchers whose work is essential to developing tomorrow's treatments for brain disorders.”
The BNA report outlines ten actionable steps that funders, institutions, and the UK Government must take to ensure a sustainable future for preclinical neuroscience. Key recommendations include:
- Prioritised, targeted funding and resources: 74% of researchers surveyed cited insufficient funding as a major barrier, with rising costs and complex funding streams exacerbating the issue. The BNA calls on funders to prioritize preclinical research and streamline the grant application process.
- Improved career support for researchers: Preclinical neuroscientists face career insecurity, with 58% reporting difficulties in recruiting and retaining staff. The BNA advocates for long-term career pathways and improved stipends for early-career researchers to ensure the retention of critical talent.
- Regulatory reform: Bureaucratic delays and procedural inconsistencies are hindering progress, especially for animal-based research. The report calls for a standardized and evidence-based regulatory framework that prioritizes research efficiency without compromising ethical standards.
An Open Letter to Funders
The open letter, signed by BNA leadership, appeals directly to research funders to take immediate steps to safeguard the future of preclinical neuroscience. “Breakthroughs like the COVID-19 vaccines, which were built on decades of curiosity-driven research, exemplify the far-reaching impact of fundamental science. Preclinical neuroscience, similarly, holds the key to addressing many of today’s most pressing health challenges,” the letter states.
The letter urges funders to prioritize research that may not have immediate clinical applications but is essential for long-term innovation. It highlights the need for more secure and stable funding opportunities for preclinical neuroscientists, from early-career researchers to seasoned experts.
A Call for Collaborative Action
The BNA is committed to advocating for this critical area of research. “Preclinical neuroscience is vital for understanding brain function and developing therapies for debilitating conditions,” said Professor Tara Spires-Jones, President of the BNA. “We call on funders, institutions, and government bodies to support the neuroscience community with the investment and policies needed to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of global scientific discovery.”
The BNA's report and open letter underscore that the decisions made today will shape the future of neuroscience research and public health. The BNA pledges to work with policymakers, clinicians, and industry partners to promote best practices and foster collaborations that will drive future breakthroughs.
Read the full report and open letter here:
About the BNA
The British Neuroscience Association is the largest UK organisation representing and supporting neuroscientists. Established in 1968, the BNA works to advance the field of neuroscience by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, promoting career development, and advocating for neuroscience research and its societal impact. The BNA connects scientists from academia, industry, and clinical fields, and all those interested in neuroscience, driving collaboration and innovation in understanding the brain and nervous system.