"There's no place in the world like The Neurosciences Institute. It is, in effect, a scientific monastery, where extremely gifted and dedicated people from all over the world can do fundamental work… undistracted by the demands of an academic or industrial setting." - Oliver Sacks, M.D

According to J. Rogers Hollingsworth, an emeritus professor of sociology, history, and industrial relations at the University of Wisconsin who, has done extensive research on the history of major scientific breakthroughs, the institutions that are responsible for the most important scientific discoveries have several characteristics in common. These characteristics include: smaller sizes, higher levels of collaboration, and less hierarchy and bureaucracy. (Dr. Hollingsworth’s research findings on the history of scientific discoveries may be found HERE)

The Neurosciences Institute is dedicated to a research environment that encourages creativity and innovation in a collaborative atmosphere with true freedom of scientific inquiry, in the expectation that such an environment provides the best chance for making vital advances for the benefit of mankind. We believe in keeping the Institute relatively small, with a current scientific staff of about 30-40, in order to achieve greater levels of collaboration and minimize any unfavorable effects of hierarchy and bureaucracy.

Research Fellows at the Institute are encouraged to explore the most exciting, far-reaching topics not traditionally studied in larger institutions. Our scientists are encouraged to focus intensively on their research projects and are therefore not required to take on major fundraising responsibilities. Unrestricted funding from visionary foundations and individuals helps support this innovative atmosphere. All of the researchers meet daily at a Fellow’s Symposium luncheon to engage in insightful discussions that may lead to collaborative work, constructive comments, and future research ideas. Group meetings are held regularly to encourage further discussion and to approach scientific problems from a multidisciplinary perspective. Currently, several groups meet weekly to evaluate and plan their research strategies. These groups include: Build the Brain, Systems Neurobiology, Consciousness Group, and Cell and Molecular Biology.