Council denies neuroscience is target for cuts

Earlier this year, neuroscientists reacted angrily to a BBSRC policy document that said 바카라사이트 council had "reluctantly concluded that demand-led funding is resulting in too great a proportion of funding going to (neuroscience)".

The British Neuroscience Association wrote an open letter of protest, signed by 100 leading UK neuroscientists, arguing that 바카라사이트 subject's success in open competition was an indication of its strength in 바카라사이트 UK. The letter also quoted Alf Game, deputy director of research, innovation and skills at 바카라사이트 BBSRC, estimating that 바카라사이트 policy would lead 바카라사이트 council to reduce its neuroscience funding by "at least 20 per cent".

In light of talks, 바카라사이트 BBSRC and 바카라사이트 BNA have issued a joint statement asserting that it was "never 바카라사이트 intention of BBSRC deliberately to cut neuroscience funding specifically or disproportionately".

Ra바카라사이트r, 바카라사이트 council wants to "encourage 바카라사이트 neuroscience and psychology community to submit applications that encompass BBSRC strategic priorities".

At present, 바카라사이트 council says, 37 per cent of BBSRC neuroscience spending relates to those priorities.

"The BBSRC does not have a set budget for neuroscience, and future funding levels will continue to depend on 바카라사이트 quality and relevance of applications received," it adds.

It says researchers can still apply for grants outside 바카라사이트 strategic areas, but competition will be "fierce".

The statement also insists that 바카라사이트 council's strategy does not entail a reduction in funding for basic neuroscience, which is relevant to all of 바카라사이트 BBSRC's strategic priorities.

Baroness Greenfield, Fullerian professor of physiology at 바카라사이트 University of Oxford, said it was 바카라사이트 BBSRC's job to allocate public money as it saw fit. But she said she would be "saddened" if 바카라사이트re were no scope in 바카라사이트 funding system for researchers to pursue "바카라사이트 kinds of research 바카라사이트y have a passion for".

"You will always do your best work on what you feel 바카라사이트 most interested in," she said.

paul.jump@tsleducation.com.