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Although potentially implied by its title, Synapse is not a journal that is restricted to publication of research related to these minute yet incredibly important anatomical junctions. Synapse has and continues to publish research articles that are concerned with all aspects of neural function; from cellular and synaptic mechanisms in preclinical model systems to brain-wide imaging studies in humans. Improved understanding of every aspect of brain biology, all the way from synapses and circuits through behavior, is critically required to help provide the information necessary to combat the pressing global issues associated with mental disorders. The predicted global burden of mental illness is well documented and is staggering. If the numbers weren’t dire enough there is in fact evidence that current predictions underestimate the full extent of the problem (https://doi.org/10.1016/S2215-0366(15) 00505-2). The solution to this, in part, rests on our ability to train and support the next generation of neuroscientists in all aspects of neuroscientific research and analysis. In this special edition issue of Synapse, we highlight six articles from labs within the Federation of European Neuroscience Societies (FENS)-Kavli Network for Excellence in Neuroscience. The scientific interests of this network of outstanding, mid-career scientists span from neurodevelopment to neurodegeneration and involve techniques that range from single-input optogenetic analysis to highthroughput epigenetic studies and computational modeling. The articles presented in this special issue demonstrate both the diverse interests and wide-ranging technical expertise of this group of European neuroscientists. The FENS-Kavli Network for Excellence is a young academy of early-/mid-career neuroscientists whose interests span the fields of molecular, cellular, systems, clinical, and theoretical neuroscience and their labs are distributed across Europe (http://www.fenskavlinetwork. org/). The network was founded in May 2014 with a focus on strong scientific output as well as engagement in policy and outreach. This group realizes that without strong community support the burden on today’s young neuroscientists to build their labs and establish their careers can be overwhelming (http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/ 10.1111/(ISSN)1460-9568/homepage/virtual_issue__fens-kavli_network_ of_excellence__advice_to_early-career_neurosci.htm). In some cases, these pressures unfortunately can even lead to the loss of promising young scientists from the field, the exact people who will meet the challenges we face as a society by providing the information necessary to improve therapies for mental illness. Understanding levels of brain function all the way from genetic and epigenetic regulation through single synapse, to the cellular, microcircuit, and circuit levels will be critical for understanding how to intervene when these processes go awry; for example in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia as well as in neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s. Neuroscience is a relatively young field of research and it is complex and rapidly evolving. In this environment collaboration is critical. The FENS-Kavli group is a perfect example of what is needed to support young and mid-career researchers by offering mutual support to individual labs through scientific exchange and collaboration, while simultaneously working to shape science policy and increase communication via public outreach. The FENS-Kavli network is accomplishing these goals via five main activities: scientific mentoring, scientific outreach, science communication, and promoting neuroscience policy via generation of position documents related to funding of research in Europe (http://www.fens.org/ Global/Pages/Kavli/Position%20Document_FKNE.pdf; http://www. nature.com/news/the-perfect-grant-and-how-to-get-it-1.21597). In this special issue of Synapse, we are featuring the excellent science coming from this prestigious network with the publication of six peer-reviewed articles including two review papers and four original research papers. These articles highlight the diversity and creativity that exists within this network and underlines the hope that collaborative and supportive networks can bring in the face the daunting challenges associated with society’s burden in tackling mental illness.