Operating Grant : Joint Programme on Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND)

Neurodegenerative diseases are debilitating and largely untreatable conditions that are strongly linked with age. Worldwide, there are an estimated 47 million people suffering from Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders, the most common class of neurodegenerative diseases. Existing treatments for neurodegenerative diseases are limited in effect and mainly address the symptoms rather than the cause or the progressive course. The EU Joint Programme - Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) was established to better coordinate research efforts across countries and disciplines to find causes, develop cures, and identify better ways to care for people with neurodegenerative diseases more rapidly. To identify research priorities, the JPND Research and Innovation Strategy, published in 2019, provides a framework for future investments.

Recent years have seen major increases in the range and power of technologies across the basic, clinical and patient-centred domains of JPND. The use of imaging and analysis technologies has become more sophisticated, and the use of brain stimulation techniques has increased. These techniques help to better understand, treat or diagnose neurodegenerative diseases, but there is still a need to assess the potential of these approaches to deliver new and better treatment options for these debilitating diseases.

The goal of this joint transnational call is to promote research aiming at the development of novel and the advanced use of existing cutting-edge imaging and brain stimulation technologies related to neurodegenerative diseases.

Proposals to be funded under this call will need adequately to involve patients, caregivers and the public. Consortia are expected to make every effort to include approaches on Patient and Public Involvement, where appropriate, at each stage of the research process including the preparation of the application.

For more information, please consult the EU Joint Programme – Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND).