Launched April 2, 2013, the Brain Initiative has several stated goals, including
- "...better understand how we think, learn, and remember",
- "technical advances in how computers interface with human thought", and
- "understand how brain activity leads to perception, decision making and ultimately action".

Brain Mapping Milestones is the title of an article by James Gorman published online by The New York Times April 21, 2014, which mentions the Brain Initiative, research into autism, and human fetal brain activity.

A related article also by James Gorman and published online by The New York Times April 21, 2014 discusses Brain Control in a Flash of Light.