The ERA-NET Neuron has published the Joint Call 2012 "Novel Methods and Approaches towards the Understanding of Brain Diseases”

About: The aim of the call is to enable multinational collaborative research projects that address the developments and advances in methods and approaches to understand the brain and its diseases. The scope of this call is not the funding of technology development per se, and it does not lie within the funding of infrastructure. Research projects must be hypothesis-driven and combine cutting-edge technological developments with a clear, substantial research question. There is no sharp restriction concerning the specific methodologies or approaches used in the applications, although a clear justification is required that clearly shows why the approach/methodology is novel or that existing methodology will be applied to a new research area. These may include (without excluding others): Imaging techniques (including optical, MR and PET techniques), molecular, (epi)genetic and "omics" approaches, stem cells and neural differentiation in relation to cell therapy, gene targeting in the brain, molecular modelling techniques, electrical and magnetic brain stimulation, and behavioural and epidemiological methodology.

Participants eligibility: Joint transnational research proposals may be submitted by research groups working in universities (or other higher education institutions), non-university public research institutes, hospitals, as well as commercial companies, in particular small and medium-size enterprises. The eligibility of the afore-mentioned institutions, together with details of eligible costs (personnel, material, consumables, travel money, investments,...), are subject to the individual administrative requirements of individual funding organisations and may therefore vary. Clarification may be obtained from the individual funding agencies (see contact details below).

Only transnational projects will be funded. Each consortium submitting a proposal must involve a minimum of three and a maximum of five research groups from at least three different countries of funding organisations participating in this call (see list above). Research groups from countries whose funding organisations are not partner in the ERA-Net NEURON may participate in projects if they are able to secure their own funding. They must state clearly in the proposal if these funds are already secured or if not, how they plan to obtain funding in advance of the project start.

Each consortium should have the critical mass to achieve ambitious scientific goals and should clearly demonstrate added value from working together. One project co-ordinator among the project partners who represents the consortium externally will be responsible for its internal scientific management.

Whilst applications will be submitted jointly by groups from several countries, individual research groups will be funded by the individual NEURON funding organisation(s) respective of their country. Eligibility criteria are the matter of individual partner organisations.

Therefore, applicants are strongly advised to contact their national/regional funding organization and confirm eligibility matters before submitting an application.

Support and funding:

Projects can be funded for a period of up to three years and according to funding organisations' regulations. Eligible costs may vary according to the corresponding funding agency's regulations. Each group is subject to the rules and regulations of its respective national/regional funding agency.

Funding for Spanish participants: up to 250,000 € if the Principal Investigator is the Coordinator of the proposal and up to 100,000 € if the PI participates in the proposal

Submission and deadlines: There will be a two-stage procedure for joint applications: pre-proposals and full proposals.

Pre-proposals have to be submitted in electronic format by the deadline no later than March 9, 2012 via the electronic submission system.

Deadline at VHIR: March 2, 2012

Further information: ERA-NET NEURON

Further information: ERA-NET NEURON