Supporting neuroscience in Europe
The EU-funded ‘4th forum of European neuroscience’ (FENS FORUM 2004) project was a support action for the organisation of the 4th forum of European neuroscience that was held in Lisbon on 10–14 July 2004. The FENS conferences are among the largest European meetings in the field of basic and clinical neuroscience. By bringing together experts from all over Europe to present their findings, the FENS meeting aimed to contribute to the advancement of neuroscience research in Europe. Among the meeting’s objectives was to promote education in neurosciences by facilitating the active participation of young researchers and PhD students. There were 56 symposia and two special ones regarding new perspectives in brain research. Technical workshops also ran in parallel on imaging, gene therapy and repair, as well as neuronal development and differentiation. In general, scientific conferences are a great place to establish collaborations and the 4th FENS conference was no exception. The meeting also acted as a means of raising public awareness of brain research and the key points raised during the conference were communicated through the press office. Overall, the 4th FENS managed to integrate and strengthen the specific European research support actions.