Call for patient reviewers for evaluating research projects in the frame of the European Partnership for Brain Health

Who are we?

We are the European Partnership for Brain Health, a collaboration under Horizon Europe, the EU’s main research and innovation programme. We bring together the European Commission, mostly public institutions, funding organisations, and other partners from across Europe and beyond — currently over 50 in total. By working together, we aim to advance brain health research, improve prevention and treatment, and accelerate innovation in tackling neurological and mental health conditions.

To achieve this, we launch joint calls for funding in the brain health field, inviting interdisciplinary and transnational research projects that address pressing and relevant scientific questions. In January this year, we launched two calls under the overarching theme: “Biological, social and environmental factors that impact the trajectory of brain health across the lifespan.” The first call focuses on neurological, mental, and sensory disorders. The second call targets neurodegenerative disorders. The submitted research proposals are peer reviewed to select and fund the most promising projects. In addition, we also organise a review by patients to ensure that projects take into account the needs of those affected by brain disorders and of the whole society.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for experienced patient advocates with lived experience in the field of brain health (e.g. as patients themselves or carers). However, it is important that you can look beyond your own particular patient experience and be an advocate for patients in the broad sense. It would be great if you have already experience as a reviewer of scientific proposals but it’s not necessary. It is important that you have good English skills in reading and writing to be able to read the proposals and formulate your assessment. An interest or background in biomedical sciences is of course helpful but not mandatory.

What is the task?

Your role will be to assess the relevance and feasibility of the research proposals from the patient perspective. You don’t need to be an expert in research for this. There will be a dedicated patient information for you to review. You will have to write assessments for 6-10 proposals. As on option you can also participate in the panel meeting, in which the proposals are discussed by the other scientific and patient reviewers.

What are the benefits?

You will get to read brand new research ideas. You will learn how a review process works. You will be able to give feedback to scientists on what they can improve in order to address the issues that are really important to patients. You will enrich the scientific projects with your assessment. You will meet lots of nice people and be able to connect with scientists and other patients.

Is there support to prepare for the task?

In case you are interested in becoming a patient reviewer you will be offered an online training to prepare you for the task. We will make sure that you have all the information and skills needed to get involved. After getting to know the process in detail in this training you can take an informed decision if you want to partake.