Cambridge Mind and Brain Institute launches to address challenges facing our brain health

Cambridge Mind and Brain Institute launches to address challenges facing our brain health Abby Munson Fri, 09/25/2026 - 10:42

The Cambridge Mind and Brain Institute brings together researchers from across the University to work alongside patients, carers, practitioners, policymakers and innovators to help understand and support individuals experiencing cognitive and emotional difficulties at every stage of life.

Our brain health is at increasing risk from everything from digital lifestyles, diet, physical inactivity, acute or chronic illnesses, climate change, conflicts to social cohesion. Yet we don’t fully understand why or how these factors affect our cognitive and emotional well-being, and why each of us responds differently. As a result, current treatments for conditions affecting the brain and mind are often ineffective.

The Cambridge Mind and Brain Institute, announced today ahead of its official launch in in April 2027, brings together diverse expertise to tackle these challenges. Researchers will have access to cutting-edge on-site neuroimaging and brain stimulation techniques, supported by technical expertise, advanced methods advice and scientific computing. The facilities can also be used by members of the wider research community.

The institute will train tomorrow’s translational cognitive neuroscientists through its postgraduate research degrees, taught programmes, shorter courses and training workshops. This autumn, it will welcome its first cohorts of postgraduate students and researchers to the new MPhil in NeuroAI and Intelligent Systems and established MPhil in Cognitive Neurosciences. Both programmes provide exceptional foundation training in cutting-edge research topics and techniques.

Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, said: “The Cambridge Mind and Brain Institute will unite world-class research, facilities and the lived experiences of patients and partners. By unlocking the mysteries of brain and mind health, it aims to transform how we understand and support individuals experiencing cognitive and emotional difficulties at every stage of life.”

Founded by the Departments of Psychology and Psychiatry as a cross-School hub for cognitive neuroscience with real-world relevance, the institute will build on the expertise established at the MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit.

The Cambridge Mind and Brain Institute will galvanise cognitive neuroscience activity across the University via a weekly headline lecture series and diverse academic events. Scheduled events during the Institute’s first term include a showcase for postdoctoral researchers, an EDI and wellbeing day, and research culture workshop. The Institute will also strengthen involvement of the general public and special interest groups in brain and mind research via participatory, outreach and engagement activities.

Carly Hood, a postgraduate student, said: “It’s great to see the Cambridge Mind and Brain Institute encouraging an open, collaborative culture, where creative individuals with different expertise can work together towards shared questions around mental health and human cognition. I look forward to the opportunity to working with and learning from people who bring fresh perspectives from a wide variety of diverse disciplines.”

For more information about CMBI, and to find out how you can get involved, visit www.cmbi.cam.ac.uk

The Cambridge Mind and Brain Institute will unite world-class research, facilities and the lived experiences of patients and partners. By unlocking the mysteries of brain and mind health, it aims to transform how we understand and support individuals experiencing cognitive and emotional difficulties at every stage of life.

Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge

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