The UK’s Answer to Darpa Wants to Rewire the Human Brain
The UK's Advanced Research and Innovation Agency (ARIA) aims to develop advanced neurotechnologies to address neurological disorders. With a budget of over £1 billion, ARIA is focusing on precise brain modulation techniques to treat conditions like epilepsy and Alzheimer's. The agency hopes to demonstrate significant societal impact by the early 2030s through its innovative research initiatives.
- ▪ARIA was established in 2023 with a focus on high-risk, high-reward projects.
- ▪One of its key initiatives is a £69 million program aimed at modulating the human brain.
- ▪ARIA has funded 19 teams exploring various methods, including ultrasound and deep brain stimulation.
- ▪The agency's goal is to develop neurotechnologies that can treat a range of neurological conditions without requiring surgery.
- ▪ARIA's CEO believes that early government investments can lead to significant breakthroughs, similar to the development of mRNA vaccines.
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David CoxScienceApr 28, 2026 1:58 PMThe UK’s Answer to Darpa Wants to Rewire the Human BrainARIA has a billion-dollar budget and big aspirations for tackling everything from epilepsy to Alzheimer's.Photograph: FERNANDO BRAZCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyCommentLoaderSave StorySave this storyThe UK’s Advanced Research and Innovation Agency (ARIA) was established in 2023 with the goal of pursuing “high-risk, high-reward” moonshots in sectors ranging from bolstering food security to new ways of ramping up human immunity.With more than £1 billion (about $1.3 billion) worth of government funding earmarked between now and 2030, one of ARIA’s most ambitious programs is a £69 million initiative that aims to develop more tailored ways of modulating the human brain.
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