The governance of EP BrainHealth is built on collaboration, transparency and strategic coordination, ensuring that the Partnership remains impactful, efficient, and aligned with European and national priorities. The structure brings together national and international experts, funders, and stakeholders through a set of key bodies with defined roles.
Decide
Governing Board
The Governing Board (GB) is the highest decision-making body of EP BrainHealth, composed of all partners of the Partnership and representatives of the European Commission as observers. It decides on the strategy, orientation, and priorities of EP BrainHealth to ensure the achievement of the Partnership’s vision and objectives. Associated partners and chairpersons of advisory bodies may also attend as observers to contribute their expertise without voting rights. The GB meets formally at least once per year.
Call Steering Committee
The Call Steering Committee (CSC) is formed for each joint call or funding activity and consists of all funding organisations contributing to the respective call or funding activity. It decides on the specifics of the call implementation, oversees the evaluation process, and monitors the Joint Call Secretariat.
Execute
Executive Board
The Executive Board (EB) is the supervisory body for the execution of EP BrainHealth’s activities. It comprises Work Package leaders and the Coordination Office. The board ensures alignment of all activities with the strategic plan and prepares decisions to be taken by the Governing Board.
Joint Call Secretariat
The Joint Call Secretariat (JCS) is responsible for leading the coordination and management activities for a given Joint Call. It acts as the central communication point and connects applicants, reviewers, and funders throughout the research funding process. Standard Operation Procedures ensure harmonisation and consistency across all Joint Call Secretariats.
Coordination Office
The Coordination Office (CO) coordinates the day-to-day implementation of EP BrainHealth’s activities and serves as the central contact point for internal and external relations. It ensures a smooth implementation of the Partnership and communication among all partners and boards as well as supports partners in administrative and budgetary matters. The coordination office ensures compliance with European Partnership rules and acts as the main liaison with the European Commission and the European Health and Digital Executive Agency. The EP BrainHealth coordination office is hosted by DLR Projektträger based in Bonn/Germany.
Advise
Scientific Advisory Board
The Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) provides independent expert advice on all science-related aspects of the EP BrainHealth. It comprises 12 to 18 recognized experts appointed by the GB, covering the entire thematic spectrum of the Partnership. The board is for instance consulted on the prioritisation of topics for joint calls and the regular update of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
Collaboration Platform
The Collaboration Platform gathers representatives across stakeholder sectors relevant for the Partnerships’ activities, including researchers, patients, representatives of the private sector and healthcare system, and regulators. It aims to serve as a dedicated platform for integrating stakeholders’ perspectives in the research and innovation process, fostering knowledge sharing and mutual awareness and/or alignment of planned activities and results. Dedicated sub-boards, e.g., the Patient Advisory Board and the Innovation Advisory Board, allow different stakeholder groups to speak with one voice to the Governing Board.
Networking Platform
This platform is a flexible format for a heterogeneous group of stakeholders to inform or seek their advice on an ad hoc basis. The Networking Platform addresses a wide range of goals and activities of the Partnership. It serves to increase the overall impact of funding and other activities, e.g. by considering the necessary range of needs and collecting a diverse range of perspectives, by fostering the exploitation of projects results, and by accelerating transformation of the research and innovation system and healthcare framework.
Ethics Advisory Board
The Ethics Advisory Board (EAB) provides independent and impartial advice on complex or serious ethical cases arising from co-funded projects. It convenes at least annually to review the ethical analysis of all project proposals, complementing the ethics review cycle. It shares its recommendations with the CSC prior to funding decisions.