innia

INNia is a fictional international nonprofit organization focused on neuroscience education, public engagement, and the responsible development of neural technologies. It operates through a network of member institutions, researchers, educators, and patient advocates, with a mission to improve scientific literacy and promote ethical standards in neural research and applications.

History and origins are described in-universe as beginning in 2010 when a coalition of neuroscientists, clinicians, and educators sought to create a platform for cross-border collaboration. The organization grew to include regional chapters, partnerships with universities, museums, and industry, and an emphasis on open communication between scientists and the public.

Structure and governance are defined by a board of directors and a scientific advisory council. A central secretariat coordinates programs, events, and grants, while regional offices support local activities. Funding is attributed to member dues, research grants, philanthropic donations, and carefully managed corporate partnerships, with policies intended to manage conflicts of interest.

Activities and programs include open-access publications, online courses for researchers and the general public, and annual conferences. It also runs outreach initiatives, fellowships for early-career scientists, and curricula development in neuroscience, ethics, and data privacy. Policy briefs and guidelines are produced to inform educators, regulators, and industry stakeholders about responsible practice.

Impact and reception within the fictional context portray INNia as a facilitator of international collaboration and standard-setting in neuroeducation and technology ethics. Some criticisms focus on transparency of funding and potential sponsor influence, which are topics addressed in ongoing governance discussions.

See also: Neuroethics, Open science, Neural interfaces.