As the Coordination and Support Action (CSA) BrainHealth nears its conclusion, stakeholders from across Europe and beyond gathered for its Final Conference, held in the framework of the 2025 Brain Innovation Days on October 15, 2025 in Brussels. The event marked both a milestone and a starting point: the culmination of two years of groundwork for the upcoming European Partnership for Brain Health, set to launch in January 2026.
Opening the conference, Ulrike Bußhoff (DLR Project Management Agency), Coordinator of the CSA BrainHealth, highlighted the scale and ambition of the initiative:
Our brain is our biggest asset… yet diseases of the brain and nervous system drastically decrease quality of life and put enormous pressure on individuals, healthcare systems and societies. The European Partnership for Brain Health will take a holistic, collaborative approach – bringing together funders, researchers, patients, and citizens to turn research into impact.
Ulrike Bußhoff, DLR Project Management Agency
One of the world’s largest brain health initiatives
The CSA BrainHealth partnership, driven by 54 partners across 33 countries, is poised to become one of the largest global initiatives in the field, with nearly €500 million in planned investment over the next decade. Its mission: to foster transnational collaboration, accelerate translation of research into solutions and improve brain health across the lifespan.
Representing the European Commission, Kasia Jurczak, Head of Unit for Combatting Diseases at European Commission’s DG Research and Innovation, underscored the strategic importance of this work within Europe’s broader policy vision:
Our joint vision for the future of brain research and innovation is grounded in prosperity, resilience and shared responsibility. Investing in brain health is not a cost—it’s an economic multiplier, strengthening Europe’s competitiveness, societal cohesion and well-being.
Kasia Jurczak, European Commission
Foundation for the next decade of European collaboration in brain research
Throughout the afternoon, speakers reflected on how the CSA BrainHealth has laid the foundation for the next decade of European collaboration in brain research. The presentation of the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda (SRIA) by Catherine Marquer (ANR/INSERM) outlined four key priorities: promoting brain health and prevention; understanding disease mechanisms; improving care and support; and integrating ethical and social dimensions into research.
Experts emphasize cooperation, data sharing, and patient involvement as keys to advancing brain health in Europe
Panel discussions brought together representatives from research, patient organisations and industry, emphasizing the need for sustained cooperation, data sharing, and patient involvement. Raluca Nica of GAMIAN-Europe reminded participants that “every system built for patients must be built with patients”, calling for more community-based care and patient-led research agendas.
The High-Level Closing Panel looked ahead to the future of the Partnership and its place in Europe’s research landscape. Panellists stressed the importance of maintaining momentum and political support as negotiations for the next EU Framework Programme advance. One speaker summarized the shared sentiment: “Europe has the brain capital – we must now ensure it has the resources and vision to match.”
As the event closed, optimism filled the room. The CSA BrainHealth may come to an end soon, but its legacy – the European Partnership for Brain Health – stands ready to transform the way Europe understands, funds and promotes brain research.
For more information about the upcoming Partnership and its first calls for proposals (expected in December 2025/early 2026), visit engage with us on LinkedIn or subscribe to our newsletter.
