ALBA Network

What ALBA Network does

ALBA Network is a non-profit global initiative dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in brain sciences. Founded in 2018 as a joint initiative of the three largest global neuroscience organizations — the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS), the International Brain Research Organization (IBRO), and the Society for Neuroscience (SfN) — ALBA operates as a division of FENS and is headquartered in Brussels, Belgium. It serves individual neuroscientists across all career stages as well as neuroscience institutions, providing free membership, mentorship programs, advocacy resources, and a portfolio of structured products including the ALBA Declaration on Equity and Inclusion (endorsed by 850 individuals and 239 organizations), a Database of Scientists with Disabilities, an LGBTQIA+ Climate Survey, a Global Diversity Webinars Digest, an ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize (€2,000 annual), and a Visa Equity in Science statement signed by 140 signatories from 45 countries.

ALBA's core technology stack is intentionally lightweight: a digital community platform hosted within FENS IT infrastructure, supported by standard web analytics (Google Analytics, Hotjar) and active social media channels (LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube). Programmatic depth comes from ten working groups (Awards, Data, Declaration, Disability & Accessibility, Events, Gender & Sexual Diversity, Global Diversity, Imposter Syndrome, Mentoring, Webinars) and partnerships with core supporters (Lundbeck Foundation/Brain Prize, ECNP, ACNP, Wyss Center, Schaller Nikolich Foundation, Roche, Hertie Foundation, FKNE) and a broader collaborator network including Black in Neuro, Queer in Neuro, FALAN, SONA, SANS, BNA, and Neuromatch.

The business model is a free-membership non-profit. ALBA generates no commercial revenue and does not sell products or services. Operations are funded by financial and operational contributions from its founding partners (FENS, IBRO, SfN), a defined set of core partners, and a long tail of activity partners, with delivery occurring through digital channels (website, virtual webinars, online resources) and in-person sessions hosted at partner conferences such as the FENS Forum, FENS Regional Meetings, IBRO conferences, and SONA.

Name

ALBA Network

Legal name

The Alba Network

Website

https://alba.network

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

ALBA Network is a Brussels-based non-profit division of FENS that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in brain sciences through free membership, working groups, mentorship, advocacy statements, and the annual ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize, serving individual neuroscientists and neuroscience institutions worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Neuroscience Diversity and Equity Network

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Education Sector Coordination, Clusters & Working Groups (EDADALAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Equity, Access & Inclusion Policy Research (EDADADAF), Mentoring, Coaching, Alumni Networking & Peer Support Platforms (EDAFAMAN)

Keywords

• Neuroscience diversity network
• Equity inclusion advocacy
• Research community building
• Neuroscience mentorship programs
• Scientific diversity advocacy

Headquarters

HQ city

Brussels

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership (Free): ALBA Network membership is free. The organization is funded through partnerships with founding organizations (FENS, IBRO, SfN), core partners, and activity partners who contribute financially and operationally to ALBA's activities and programs.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ALBA Network operates a free global membership community for neuroscientists committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in brain sciences. It delivers programs including the ALBA Declaration on Equity and Inclusion, the Global Diversity Webinars Digest, a Database of Scientists with Disabilities, the LGBTQIA+ Climate Survey, the Visa Equity Statement, the ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize, mentorship programs, and evidence-based resources through working groups and partnerships. It is a division of FENS, co-founded with IBRO and SfN.

Product overview

ALBA Network is a global networking and advocacy organization (not a software product company) focused on promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in brain sciences. The organization offers a portfolio of programs and services centered on its mission, including: a free membership network for neuroscientists, the ALBA Declaration on Equity and Inclusion (endorsed by 850+ individuals and 239+ organizations), the Global Diversity Webinars Digest summarizing ALBA-IBRO webinars, a Database of Scientists with Disabilities, LGBTQIA+ Climate Survey research, Visa Equity advocacy statement, the ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize (€2000 annual award), a Resources database, and various mentorship programs. These offerings work together to advance the organization's goal of equitable participation in neuroscience worldwide.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• ALBA Network Membership A free membership program enabling neuroscientists to engage with the ALBA Team, participate in the General Assembly, and contribute as ALBA Volunteers. Targeted at individual neuroscientists worldwide.
• ALBA Declaration on Equity and Inclusion A resource for concrete, positive, evidence-based actions that individuals and organizations can take to promote equity and inclusivity in brain sciences, endorsed by 850 individuals and 239 organisations.
• Global Diversity Webinars Digest Concise, accessible digests distilling key insights from the ALBA-IBRO Global Diversity Webinar Series, capturing discussions on intersectionality in neuroscience.
• Database of Scientists with Disabilities A database developed by the ALBA Disability & Accessibility Working Group to enhance representation, opportunities, and influence of neuroscientists with disabilities, facilitating networking and collaboration.
• LGBTQIA+ Climate Survey in Neuroscience A research study assessing the experience of LGBTQIA+ individuals in neuroscience and psychology at academic institutions globally, with results published in IBRO Neuroscience.
• Statement on Visa Equity in Science ALBA's statement and recommendations calling for the removal of systemic visa barriers that disproportionately affect scientists from mobility-restricted regions.
• ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize An annual award jointly presented by ALBA Network and FENS-Kavli Scholars recognizing scientists who have made outstanding contributions to promoting equality and diversity in brain sciences, with a prize of €2,000.
• ALBA Resources Database A database of resources on diversity issues in brain sciences, including best practices and policy initiatives shared by members.
• ALBA Mentorship Programs Mentoring initiatives including the World of Work (WoW) Mentor scheme, mentoring circles at conferences, and support for early-career researchers.
• ALBA-IBRO Global Diversity Webinar Series A flagship webinar series addressing region-specific diversity issues (Latin America, Africa, MENA, East & SE Asia, Central & Eastern Europe, Oceania) and thematic topics (gender disparities, socioeconomic inequalities, LGBTQIA+ experiences, Indigenous voices, disabilities). Supported by IBRO with written digests distributed via the Global Diversity Webinars Digest.
• ALBA Diversity Week An annual week-long online festival during Global Diversity Awareness Month featuring multiple themed webinars (2023 program included 5 days of events).

Quantifiable outcome

• 850 individuals and 239 organisations have endorsed the ALBA Declaration on Equity and Inclusion
• +2 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

25 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• FENS (Federation of European Neuroscience Societies)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerALBA Network is a division of FENS and was created as the unified voice of FENS, IBRO, and SfN. A representative from FENS sits on the ALBA Council of Partners and supports the ALBA Board of Directors in an advisory capacity. The ALBA Office is hosted within the FENS office in Brussels.
• IBRO (International Brain Research Organization)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBRO is a founding partner of ALBA Network. A representative from IBRO sits on the ALBA Council of Partners. IBRO provides financial and operational support for the ALBA-IBRO Global Diversity Webinar Series.
• SfN (Society for Neuroscience)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerSfN is a founding partner of ALBA Network. A representative from SfN sits on the ALBA Council of Partners and supports the ALBA Board of Directors in an advisory capacity.
• The Lundbeck Foundation / The Brain PrizecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner of ALBA Network. Invited to nominate a representative to ALBA's Council of Partners supporting the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity.
• ECNP (European College of Neuropsychopharmacology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner of ALBA Network. Invited to nominate a representative to ALBA's Council of Partners supporting the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity.
• ACNP (American College of Neuropsychopharmacology)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner of ALBA Network. Invited to nominate a representative to ALBA's Council of Partners supporting the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity.
• Wyss Center for Bio and NeuroengineeringcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner of ALBA Network. Invited to nominate a representative to ALBA's Council of Partners. Tracy Laabs serves as the Wyss Center representative on the ALBA Council of Partners.
• Schaller Nikolich FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner of ALBA Network. Invited to nominate a representative to ALBA's Council of Partners supporting the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity.
• RochecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner of ALBA Network. Invited to nominate a representative to ALBA's Council of Partners supporting the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity.
• Hertie FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCore partner of ALBA Network. Invited to nominate a representative to ALBA's Council of Partners supporting the Board of Directors in an advisory capacity.
• ElsevierminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActivity partner contributing towards specific projects and activities of mutual interest. Gail M. Rodney (Senior Publisher, Neuroscience, Elsevier) has participated as a panelist in ALBA webinars on socioeconomic inequalities.
• FENS-Kavli Network of Excellence (FKNE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerALBA co-administers the annual ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize with FKNE, awarded at FENS Forum or FENS Regional Meetings to individuals promoting diversity in brain sciences. The prize includes €2,000 and travel support.
• World Women in Neuroscience (WWN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActivity partner. WWN co-organized several ALBA-IBRO Africa webinars and is aligned with ALBA's mission for gender equity and inclusion in neuroscience.
• CHS (Carlsberg Heritage Foundation)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActivity partner contributing towards specific projects and activities of mutual interest.
• Fédération Wallonie-BruxellesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActivity partner contributing towards specific projects and activities of mutual interest.
• Sainsbury Wellcome CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerActivity partner contributing towards specific projects and activities of mutual interest.
• NeuromatchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator working in close collaboration with ALBA aligned with their mission. Joana Guedes serves as the Neuromatch representative in the ALBA Data Working Group.
• TransmitterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator working in close collaboration with ALBA. ALBA is partnering with The Transmitter on a project titled 'State of Neuroscience in Latin America' to develop a directory of new neuroscience labs that opened in Latin America in the last five years, with a deadline of 31 July 2026.
• Black in Neuro (BiN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator working in close collaboration with ALBA aligned with their mission to promote racial and ethnic diversity in neuroscience.
• Queer in Neuro (QiN)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator working in close collaboration with ALBA aligned with their mission to promote LGBTQIA+ inclusion in neuroscience.
• Bias Watch India (BWI)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator. ALBA organized a special session on Bias in Indian STEM at the NeuroFemIndia 2021 conference.
• Southern African Neuroscience Society (SANS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator. SANS co-organized the IBRO-ALBA-WWN-SANS webinar on succeeding in neuroscience in Africa (March 2023) and organized a Mentoring Circle at the SONA Conference 2023.
• FALAN (Federation of Latin American and Caribbean Neuroscience Societies)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator. ALBA collaborated on webinars about Latin American neuroscience diversity and partnered on the FALAN Congress 2026 (August, Latin America) for the Transmitter lab directory project.
• SONA (Society for Neuroscience in Africa)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator. SONA co-organized the IBRO-ALBA-WWN-SANS webinar on succeeding in neuroscience in Africa and hosted an ALBA mentoring circle at the SONA Conference 2023.
• British Neuroscience Association (BNA)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborator. Prof. Narender Ramnani (ALBA-FKNE Diversity Prize 2024 winner) serves as President Elect of BNA and Vice Dean for EDI at Royal Holloway.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Association for Women in Science (AWIS): A long-standing US and global association advocating for women in STEM and STEAM through advocacy, awards, and professional development. Comparable function to ALBA in advocacy and recognition, though operating at multi-discipline scale.
• Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS): ALBA's parent organization and a major neuroscience society running journals, conferences (FENS Forum), and training. Comparable as the operational host and a broader neuroscience umbrella, though not focused on EDI as its core mission.
• Out in STEM (oSTEM): A global LGBTQIA+ STEM affinity network offering mentoring, professional development, and community. Comparable to ALBA's LGBTQIA+ climate work and inclusive programming, though multi-discipline.
• 500 Women Scientists: A broader organization advancing equity and inclusion across STEM disciplines, including leadership training, advocacy, and visibility. Overlaps with ALBA's equity mission and capacity-building programs but at a multi-discipline scale.
• Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS): A large US-based organization supporting underrepresented minorities in STEM via mentorship, conferences, and policy advocacy. Comparable to ALBA in mission, target audiences, and program model, though operating at a broader STEM scale.

Direct peers

• World Women in Neuroscience (WWN): An international organization promoting women in neuroscience through networking, mentorship, and recognition programs. Compares directly to ALBA's gender-focused programming, mentoring circles, and webinar partnerships.
• Queer in Neuro (QiN): An LGBTQIA+ neuroscience community aligned with ALBA's Gender & Sexual Diversity working group on climate survey work and inclusive events. Direct overlap on LGBTQIA+ inclusion mission within the same scientific community.
• Women in Neuroscience (WiN): An international network advancing women in neuroscience through symposia and awards. Closely matches ALBA's mission focus on gender equity in the same scientific discipline.
• Black in Neuro: A community of Black neuroscientists and allies advocating for racial and ethnic diversity in neuroscience. Highly comparable to ALBA as both run community-led EDI initiatives within the global neuroscience ecosystem with overlapping audiences and mission.

Emerging players

• Bias Watch India (BWI): An initiative scrutinizing representation and bias in Indian STEM academia, including neuroscience. Comparable to ALBA in addressing structural bias at the regional level and co-hosting sessions on bias in Indian STEM.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/network_alba
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdXrd8RGkXS9-E3r6GYggIA
• Facebookfacebook.com/AlbaNetBrain
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/alba-network
• Instagraminstagram.com/network_alba

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about ALBA Network