On 24 February 2025, the CSA BrainHealth held a high-level webinar dedicated to global funders advancing collaboration in the brain research and innovation field. The event brought together leading global funding organisations and key stakeholders from the CSA BrainHealth to discuss strategies for strengthening Europe’s brain health landscape through enhanced coordination, research infrastructure, and patient-centered approaches.
Participants, representing funding organizations from the European Union and beyond were briefed on the modes of participations for funders in the upcoming European Partnership for Brain Health (EP Brain Health), recent developments in the preparation of the EP Brain Health and on the strategic priorities laid out in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda.
Aligning National and European Strategies for a Consistent Approach to Brain Health
A major focus of the webinar was placed on the need to increase alignment between national and European strategies to ensure a consistent and overarching approach to brain health. Global funders emphasized the importance of cross-border collaboration, sustainable funding mechanisms and increased policy prioritization to effectively address the growing burden of brain disorders.
A key takeaway from the webinar was the urgent need to bridge the gap between research findings and their application. Participants discussed tangible strategies for translating research outcomes into improved diagnosis, prevention, treatment and care, ensuring that innovations reach those who need them most. The CSA BrainHealth team also presented the various funding instruments which will be available under the EP Brain Health, and explained how this structure has been designed to tackle that very challenge.
The role of existing and emerging research infrastructures in accelerating scientific discoveries and their translation into clinical practice was also addressed. Discussions highlighted the value of data sharing platforms and multidisciplinary networks in fostering innovation and improving patient outcomes.
Webinar Reaffirms Need for Coordinated EP Brain Health Initiative
During the webinar, the necessity of establishing EP Brain Health – a coordinated initiative aimed at uniting efforts across academia, industry, and healthcare sectors was strongly reaffirmed. This partnership will serve as an essential vector to streamline resources and enhance synergies between research institutions to ultimately improve brain health outcomes across the European Union.
The CSA BrainHealth “Webinar for Global Funders in the Brain Field” reinforced the urgency of a collaborative and integrated approach to brain health research. By fostering dialogue between stakeholders, identifying key challenges, and laying the groundwork for the EP Brain Health, it demonstrated the high level of readiness of funding organizations, European institutions, and the broader brain research community to shape the future of brain health in the Europe Union.