Giving

The history of science is punctuated by moments of ripeness—those moments, in any given field, when the questions and the tools are perfectly ready for each other. Those are the moments when the big leaps happen, and neuroscience stands at such a moment today.

While the intellectual challenges remain immense, the field of neuroscience is charged with a pervasive optimism, a confidence that the ability to unravel fundamental brain functions is finally within our grasp. Perhaps even within our lifetimes, science may at last come to understand the mechanisms behind tragic disorders such as addiction, schizophrenia and Alzheimer's disease, and have the knowledge to develop scientifically rational therapies for them. All these cruel malfunctions of the brain are fundamentally linked to the overarching focus of the Picower Institute—the human capacity for learning and memory.

Created by a visionary gift from the Picower Foundation, funded by Jeffry and Barbara Picower, the Picower Institute has already made very significant contributions to humanity's understanding of learning and memory. And we are primed to achieve much more, as we pursue fundamental advances that will help alleviate the crippling diseases of the brain, enhance practical strategies for education and improve the quality of human life on earth.

However, seizing the scientific opportunities before us will simply not be possible without the ongoing philanthropic support of visionary donors. We invite you to join with us in what may be the most important intellectual adventure of our time.

For more information on specific giving opportunities and the Institute's future direction, or to make a gift, please contact the Office of the Director (617-324-7003, mbear@mit.edu) or Ms. Martha Ruest, Senior Development Officer (617-253-5563, mruest@mit.edu).