Brain research was in the focus of the conference “Towards a Strengthened European Cooperation in Brain Health Research” organised by the NRDI Office in the context of the Hungarian EU Presidency on 9-10 December.
The growing and expanding field of brain health encompasses neurodevelopment, plasticity, function and recovery, including aspects related to mental health at different stages of life. The two-day event at the Basic Medical Science Centre of Semmelweis University presented an excellent opportunity for renowned experts and researchers in the field to engage in a dialogue with policy makers and industry representatives on the importance of collaborative brain research. The highly successful event attracted over 120 participants from different regions of the world and was also available to follow the presentations live online.
The conference was opened by László Bódis, Deputy State Secretary for Innovation of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, who described the pillars of the successful Hungarian model and the main goals of the National RDI Strategy. “The past decade has seen major progress in the research and innovation ecosystem. Our research schemes are increasingly attractive.” he pointed out.
Highlighting the importance of the added value of European research cooperation, Dr. Borbála Schenk, Head of the Department for International Affairs of the NRDI Office, said that the conference contributed to the Hungarian Presidency’s priority to reduce the fragmentation of the innovation ecosystem. Participants had the opportunity to learn about existing and potential brain research initiatives, as well as the priorities of EU funding programmes, and the development of a future EU partnership for research and innovation was also discussed. “Collaboration is key”, pointed out Irene Norstedt, Director of the People Directorate at the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission.
The Brain Health conference, organised by Hungary, has taken on a gap-filling role in addressing the challenges of brain research: focusing on a holistic approach to brain health, it has fostered collaboration between key European stakeholders, joint European research and innovation initiatives aimed at real societal impact. Topics of the event ranged from neurological and mental health, disease prevention, social impact, to policy-level communication issues among stakeholders, market objectives and the state of Widening countries. Participants reviewed the current priorities for brain research and agreed on the need for coordination at European level, while ensuring scientific freedom, increasing EU funding and minimising the administrative burden for researchers.
“Science is a long-term investment”, underlined Balázs Hangya, researcher at the HUN-REN Institute of Experimental Medicine, in his presentation on successful Hungarian achievements. The conference concluded with a presentation by Dr. Tim Raemaekers, Policy and Programme Officer at the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission, on the current situation of brain research funding under Horizon Europe and the Commission’s initiatives to strengthen cooperation. In her wrap-up presentation, Dr. Ulrike Busshoff, ERA-NET NEURON coordinator, gave an overview of the coordination actions at European level that pave the way for the development of a European partnership in brain health.
For more reports and interesting information, follow the conference’s LinkedIn channel at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/towards-a-strengthened-cooperation-in-european-brain-health-research/?viewAsMember=true
Both days of the event, including all the presentations, can be viewed on the website: https://brainhealth.nkfih.gov.hu/livestreaming
