Despite comprising over one-third of the global population, young people are consistently excluded from formal science policy forums and advisory boards.

According to NIH data, Black researchers continue to receive federal funding at less than half the rate of their White peers, even when academic qualifications are controlled.

In the U.S., only 16% of young adults consider scientists approachable. These patterns reflect both inequity in the system and a breakdown in public trust.

Synapse & State aim to address these gaps by hosting smaller events leading up to a 2-day forum event centered on neuroscience ethics, public funding structures, access to research opportunities, and youth agency in science. The forum will be hosted in 2026, pending venue confirmation at various universities. As more events are hosted, there will be structured panels, moderated roundtables, and workshops designed for cross-sectoral exchange and practical engagement.

Each event will produce publicly available materials including edited panel recordings and a recap report. These outputs will be distributed through partner networks and archived as open resources for students and educators. Follow-up events, including smaller forums hosted at the New York Hall of Science, will be considered based on the forum’s outcomes and ongoing community interest.