Towards structuring brain health research in Europe

Member States and Associated Countries have agreed to step up their coordination in the area of brain research, which could take the form of a European partnership on Brain Health[[In the context of the partnership, ‘brain health’ should be interpreted as a concept that encompasses neural development, neuroplasticity, brain functioning, and recovery across the life course, including mental health and wellbeing elements.]] in the second Strategic Plan of Horizon Europe[[This topic does not pre-judge the content of the second Strategic Plan of Horizon Europe.]].

Proposals should address all of the following aspects:

• Develop a structured system of exchange of information between policymakers, funders, and other relevant bodies[[Relevant bodies include EU-supported initiatives, scientific and clinical societies, patient organisations, regulators and the industry.]] in order to establish synergies and avoid duplication of efforts. The aim is to structure brain health research in Europe and pave the way for a possible future partnership.
• Develop a strategic research and innovation agenda, taking into account the efforts already undertaken by EU-supported actions[[This includes the common research agenda developed by the ‘European Brain Research Area’ (EBRA) project, as well as the strategic research agendas of the partnerships: ‘EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research’ (JPND), ‘Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research’ (NEURON), ‘Human Brain Project’ (HBP) and the ‘Innovative Medicines Initiative’ (IMI) and its successor the ‘Innovative Health Initiative’ (IHI).]]. The strategic research and innovation agenda will identify a number of measurable, scientific-technological priorities and socio-economic objectives, supported by an appropriate analysis.
• Develop plans for a governance structure of a future partnership, as well as implementation modalities with long-term sustainability in mind, and under the leadership of an EU Member State or Associated Country.
• Ensure a broad geographical representation of European countries and plan for inclusion of all main related research initiatives, as well as key organisations and associations. In this way, the coordination action should reflect the ‘umbrella’ role of a future initiative that will structure brain health research in Europe, and make it more impactful.
• Consider international initiatives by engaging with global organisations[[Global organisations include the World Health Organization (WHO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the Global Alliance for Chronic Diseases (GACD).]], as well as with global initiatives and research organisations[[Entities include the global brain initiatives, the International Initiative for Traumatic Brain Injury Research (InTBIR) and the International Brain Research Organisation (IBRO).]] in the field.
• Elaborate on platforms and tools for use by the research community, including on how they can best complement, integrate with each other. In this context, infrastructures already developed at the European[[EU-supported infrastructures include, for example, the BBMRI-ERIC infrastructure for biobanking, the EBRAINS research infrastructure, and various platforms developed by the Innovative Medicines Initiative (IMI) and its successor the Innovative Health Initiative (IHI).]] or national level that enable sharing of samples, quality data and advanced analytical tools should be included in the analysis. Reflections should also be made on how the future initiative can contribute to the development of the European Health Data Space.

This coordination action implies the preparation and organisation of meetings, as well as support to information exchange with relevant stakeholder groups and with the public.

This topic requires the effective contribution of social sciences and humanities (SSH) disciplines and the involvement of SSH experts, institutions as well as the inclusion of relevant SSH expertise, in order to produce meaningful and significant effects enhancing the societal impact of the related research activities.