From NEST

The Neural Simulation Technology (NEST) Initiative was founded in 2001 with the goal to collaborate in the development of simulation methods for biologically realistic neuronal networks.

The main goals of the collaboration are:

1. development of new simulation methods and algorithms,
2. development of new analysis and visualization tools, as well as the
3. collection of information and resources related to neural simulations.

These goals are expressed in the joint development of a simulation system for biologically realistic neuronal networks. It is an explicit goal of the NEST Initiative to share its results with the scientific community. This includes

• publication of results in appropriate scientific journals, and
• releases of simulation tools to the scientific community (for non-commercial use).

The collaboration is based on the idea of mutual benefit, with each party having the same rights (and duties) with respect to the other parties of the collaboration.