Project description
The connection between childhood adversity and psychiatric disorders
Childhood adversities are a leading predictor of psychiatric illnesses, affecting about 50 % of the children worldwide. However, the exact biological mechanisms through which childhood adversity affects psychiatric illness are unknown. Supported by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, the TRACE project aims to study the relationship between childhood adversities and threat- and reward- related learning processes, and their role in the development of mental illnesses. It will shed light on definitions in childhood adversities and combine experimental and neurobiological perspectives to explain how childhood adversities increase psychopathological risks. Ultimately, the project will form an independent research group to study the impact of childhood adversities on mental health.
Objective
Childhood adversity is a major transdiagnostic risk factor for psychiatric disorders and affects around 50% of children worldwide. Despite its prevalence and impact, the psychological and neurobiological pathways linking childhood adversity to mental health outcomes remain poorly understood. Building on recent advances, this project will investigate fundamental learning processes, i.e. threat and reward learning, as key mechanisms underlying this association. The focus is on adolescence, a critical developmental window for the emergence of psychiatric symptoms.
In a first work package, I will crucially add to the conceptual clarity within the field of childhood adversity by systematically reviewing existing theories and their evidence. Additionally, across two interrelated work packages, I will integrate experimental and neurobiological approaches in a developmental population to identify pathways by which childhood adversity increases risk for psychopathology.
Building on my expertise in threat learning in childhood adversity, this fellowship will substantially broaden my expertise in multimodal data collection, advanced analytical techniques, and the management of large-scale studies with vulnerable populations. I will gain hands-on experience in open science practices under the guidance of a supervisor strongly committed to transparency and reproducibility, strengthening my scientific rigor and visibility. In addition, teaching activities and an expanded international research network will foster key transferable skills, enhance collaborative opportunities, and support future grant acquisition. Ultimately, this fellowship will provide the crucial foundation for my long-term goal: establishing an independent research lab dedicated to understanding and mitigating the impact of childhood adversity on mental health.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
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Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.2 - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA)
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Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
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Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-PF-EF - HORIZON TMA MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships - European Fellowships
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Call for proposal
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(opens in new window) HORIZON-MSCA-2025-PF
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33615 Bielefeld
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.