"ERA-NET Neuron: 2017 “Synaptic Dysfunction in Disorders of the Central Nervous System

The aim of the call is to facilitate multinational, collaborative research projects that will address important questions related to the synaptic dysfunction of the central nervous system. Defective synaptic communication is at the origin of numerous neurological and mental disorders –synaptopathies - such as epilepsies, migraine, autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, mood disorders and others. The synaptopathies are often characterized by common alterations of proteins and molecular pathways affecting either neurons or glia at synapses and altering pre- and/or post-synaptic function. The present call will accept proposals addressing the disease-related synaptic dysfunction with approaches ranging from understanding basic mechanisms of disease to proof-of-concept therapeutically-driven clinical studies in humans.

The ERA-NET NEURON funding organizations particularly wish to promote multi-disciplinary work and translational research proposals that combine basic and clinical approaches. There-fore, the participation of clinicians is encouraged.
Research proposals should cover at least one of the following areas:

a) Fundamental research on the pathogenesis and/or aetiology of synaptopathies. This may include the development of innovative or shared resources and new technologies for pre-vention, diagnosis or therapy of disease.
b) Clinical research, including the exploitation of existing clinical data sets, to develop new strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and therapy for diseases in which synaptic dysfunction plays a key role.

The research proposals should focus on common neurological and mental disorders or cross-disease approaches. They may encompass the entire lifespan.
The individual components of joint applications should be complementary and contain novel, ambitious ideas to answer key questions or lead to a step-wise change in understanding. There should be a clear added value in funding the collaboration over the individual projects. Where appropriate, the participation of clinicians in the consortia is encouraged. 

Funding: €100,000 total (for Israeli partner)

Duration: 3 years

Pre proposal (required) due date: 14.3.17

Full proposal due date: 29.6.17

Israeli applicants should contact Chief Scientist of the Minsitry of Health, Dr. Ami Ben -Yehuda:  ahmi.by@MOH.GOV.IL , to review and approve submission prior to application. 

Pls. note that in most cases applicants may hold only one MOH grant at any given time. Please check eligibility.

Neuron website: http://www.neuron-eranet.eu/en/698.php