We are pleased to inform you that the Network of European Funding for Neuroscience Research (NEURON), launched a joint transnational call (JTC-2020) in the field of sensory disorders Call for Proposals for Transnational Research Projects on Sensory Disorders and is open until the next 10th of March, 2020.

Aim of the call: to facilitate multinational, collaborative research projects that will address important questions related to sensory disorders and their impact on the nervous system. Proposals should focus on impairment and/or loss of sensory function of neural origin. They may include studies on sensory neurons, including receptor cells, the related neural pathways and connected brain areas.

The NEURON funding organizations particularly wish to promote multi-disciplinary work and translational research proposals that combine basic and clinical approaches. The consortia are expected to submit novel, ambitious ideas that can only be achieved by the complementary collaboration between partners. Additionally, the ERA-NET NEURON seeks to strengthen patient engagement in research. Applicants are expected to include patients, where appropriate, in their research process.

Research proposals should cover at least one of the following areas:

· Fundamental research addressing the pathogenesis and etiology of sensory disorders.

· Clinical research to develop novel strategies for prevention, diagnosis, patient stratification, therapy and/or rehabilitation for sensory disorders.

 The following research areas are excluded from this call:

·  Chronic pain

·  Impairment of sensations or hallucinations caused by mental disorders and effects of neurological diseases (e.g. stroke)

·  Eye movement disorders due to neurological diseases

·  Neurodegenerative disorders that are addressed by the EU Joint Programme-  Neurodegenerative Disease Research
 

Proposal features:

· Duration: The maximum duration of the project is three years.

· Budget:

    a)   Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII): up to 175.000 € per partner and 250.000€ per coordinator. Personnel costs for temporary employment contracts are eligible. Overheads are 21%.

    b)   Agencia Estatal de Investigación (AEI): up to 150.000 € per partner and 200.000€ per coordinator. Personnel costs for temporary employment contracts are eligible.

· Eligibility: Principal Investigators (PI) can only participate in one project proposal per call. Excluded PIs are those undergoing a postgraduate training in Health Specialitzacion (MIR, FIR QIR BIR, PIR) or a research training (PhD students, Rio Hortega contracts, Sara Borrell or Juan de la Cierva). Also excluded Researchers contracted by a RETIC or a CONSOLIDER.

Consortium structure:

· Projects must involve three to five eligible partners from at least three different participating countries.

· No more than two research groups can be from the same country.

· Consortiums can be increased up to six partners when project includes partners from Latvia, Romania, Turkey and Slovakia.

Proposal Submission and Deadlines:

· Proof of Interest to VHIR Research Grants Office (ajuts@vhir.org 28th of February, 2020)

·Pre-proposal submission deadline: 10th of March, 2020 via electronic submission to   https://ptoutline.eu/app/neuron_mental

· Invitation for full proposal stage: mid- May 2020

· Full proposal submission deadline: 22th June 2020

· Funding is expected to start early in 2021.

From the Research Grants Office we want to encourage you to participate in this call. Remember when writing a proposal refer to the guidelines for helpful tips and ensuring successful proposal. For a wider support, please contact us as soon as possible.