FRRB is pleased to announce the release of the new EP BrainHealth Joint Transnational Calls 2026 (JTC2026) n. 1 “Neurological Mental Sensory Disorders” and n. 2 “Neurodegenerative Disorders”
The Partnership will be structured on 4 pillars:
1. Promote brain health and mitigate the risk of related disorders;
2. Addressing brain diseases with innovative scientific discoveries;
3. Improve the quality of life of people with brain disorders (mental illnesses and/or neurodegenerative disorders) and their caregivers;
4. Understand and consider the social aspects of brain health.
The EP BrainHealth has just launched two Joint transnational Calls for the year 2026:
- JTC2026 Call 1: Neurological Mental Sensory Disorders
The research proposals for this JTC should address how biological, social and environmental factors affect the trajectory of neurological, mental and sensory disorders across the lifespan.
The research proposals must be interdisciplinary and address at least two of the three factors indicated below:
- Biological factors, e.g. genetics, epigenetics, -omics, neuroplasticity, inflammation, infection, synaptogenesis, circuits, vascular factors, sensory impairment, co-morbidities;
- Lifestyle and social factors, e.g. exercise/activity, nutrition, sleep, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, work (income, employment), socio-economic background/status, race/ethnicity, sex and gender, education, safety, social interactions (family/friends), access to healthcare, stress, trauma, migration.
- Environmental factors, e.g. pollution/contaminants, urbanicity, disasters, pandemics, war/conflicts, climate change, microbiota, nature. Inoltre, le proposte progettuali devono approfondire almeno due dei seguenti aspetti:
In addition, research proposals must investigate at least two of the following aspects:
- Mechanisms of action of the identified factors;
- Early recognition, diagnosis and prognosis linked to the identified factors;
- Prevention/treatments/interventions/technological development/care and support linked to the identified factor.
- JTC2026 Call 2: Neurodegenerative Disorders
The research proposals for this JTC should address how biological, social and environmental factors affect the trajectory of neurodegenerative disorders1 across the lifespan.
The research proposals must be interdisciplinary and address at least two of the three factors indicated below:
- Biological factors, e.g. genetics, epigenetics, -omics, neuroplasticity, inflammation, infection, synaptogenesis, circuits, vascular factors, sensory impairment, co-morbidities;
- Lifestyle and social factors, e.g. exercise/activity, nutrition, sleep, smoking, alcohol and drug abuse, work (income, employment), socio-economic background/status, race/ethnicity, sex and gender, education, safety, social interactions (family/friends), access to healthcare, stress, trauma, migration.
- Environmental factors, e.g. pollution/contaminants, urbanicity, disasters, pandemics, war/conflicts, climate change, microbiota, nature.
In addition, research proposals must investigate at least two of the following aspects:
- Mechanisms of action of the identified factors;
- Early recognition, diagnosis and prognosis linked to the identified factors;
- Prevention/treatments/interventions/technological development/care and support linked to the identified factors.
Submitting the same research proposal simultaneously for both JTC1 and JTC2 is not allowed.
FRRB joins these JTCs as a funding agency: the eligible entities are required to be part of the Lombardy Regional Healthcare Service (ASST, ATS, Public and Private IRCCS, AREU, ATS); universities and research centres located in the Lombardy region are eligible only if they take part to a consortium with ASST/IRCCS, AREU and ATS headquartered in the Lombardy region.
For these JTCs, FRRB allocated a total budget accounting for € 1.500.000,00 (€ 750.000,00 for each JTC).
More information on the official partnership page: JTC2026 Call 1: Neurological Mental and Sensory Disorders – CSA BrainHealth e JTC2026 Call 2: Neurodegenerative Disorders – CSA BrainHealth
Research proposals from all scientific areas and domains are welcome.
Pre-eligibility
In order to apply for the funding scheme from FRRB, applicants are required to populate a pre-eligibility form. Pre-eligibility documents can be downloaded from the official project page and on this page, in the “Download documents” section.
The Pre-eligibility form must be uploaded on the FRRB platform (https://bandi.frrb.it/login) available as of the 20th January 2026.
FRRB provides an excel sheet to help applicants abide by FRRB funding rules. This form is meant to support the PIs in the elaboration of the budget, but it does not need to be sent to FRRB.
The deadlines listed apply to both JTC n.1 and JTC n.2.