European funding

Publication of Horizon Europe annual work programmes 2023-2024

The European Commission has released a final version of the work programmes for 2023-2024 under Horizon Europe, the EU's key research and innovation funding programme. Cluster 1 - Health is now available on a dedicated page and includes calls on brain health research in Europe.

To find out more, join the Horizon Europe info day for Cluster 1 on January 19, where you can ask all your questions. Check out also the Horizon Europe Brokerage event on January 20 and take part in bilateral meetings with partners interested in the same topics for 2023 calls.

EU support for research and innovation in the area of the brain

Useful resources

Calls for experts at the European Commission

Call for experts - Horizon 2020 programme

Call addressed to individuals for the establishment of a database of prospective independent experts to assist the European Commission with tasks related to Horizon 2020 – the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.

Find out more

Call for experts - Scientific Committees of the European Commission

The database of experts is open to scientists wishing to contribute to the work of the Scientific Committees of the European Commission on specific issues, on an ad hoc basis, as members of working groups or for scientific hearings and workshops.

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European Commission's Consultations and Statements

European Commission's statement

Communication from the Commission on the European Citizens’ Initiative (ECI) ‘Save cruelty-free cosmetics – Commit to a Europe without animal testing’.

Read the full response here.

Public Consultation on the past, present and future of the European research and innovation programmes 2014-2027

The European Commission has launched a public consultation on the past, present and future of its Framework Programmes for research and innovation through an online survey.

Deadline: 23 February 2023

Find out more.

Horizon Europe programme for research and innovation - interim evaluation

The European Commission has conducted an interim evaluation of the Horizon Europe programme in the area of research and innovation. The initiative will also focus on setting priorities for the next programme. Public consultation is planned for the fourth quarter of 2022. This will be a great opportunity for the promotion of the interests of the neuroscience community in the next Horizon Europe programme.

Deadline: 23 February 2023

Find out more

European Union Legislative Developments

Healthier Together – European Commission’s Initiative on EU Non-communicable diseases

On 22 June 2022, the European Commission presented a new initiative on non-communicable diseases, which covers the areas of mental health and neurological disorders. The initiative will support actions during 2022-2027.

The final text is available here

European Health Data Space (EHDS)

On 3 May 2022, the European Commission proposed a regulation on the European Health Data Space, which aims to facilitate the cross-border exchange of patients’ data and support the use of health data for research, innovation and policy-making to improve healthcare services in the European Union. This initiative will benefit researchers as they will have access to high-quality data within a trusted and secure framework that guarantees patient privacy. The proposal will now be discussed by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.

Find out more

European Parliament resolution on artificial intelligence in a digital age (2020/2266(INI))

On 3 May 2022, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on artificial intelligence in a digital age. One of the areas covered by the document is related to the use of AI technologies in the health sector and touches upon the concept of brain imaging, emphasizing that the EU should contribute to the development of safe neurological technologies. Also, the European Parliament calls on the European Commission to consider the initiative on neurorights, which aims to protect the human brain and its activity as neurotechnology advances.

The final text is available here

EU4 Health programme 2021-2027

The EU4Health programme was launched in March 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and to reinforce cross-border crisis preparedness in the European Union. The programme is supported by a €5.3 billion budget during 2021-2027. It is focused on long-term health challenges by strengthening the health systems of the EU Member States. Also, the programme addresses the need for supporting actions to improve mental health and tackle neurological disorders.

The final text is available here

Regulation on Health Technology Assessment 2021/2282

The European Commission started implementing the regulation on Health Technology Assessment on 22 June 2022. It should be fully implemented by 2025. The legislation is focused on technology development by giving patients access to medicines and medical devices across the EU.

The final text is available here

Mental Health in the Digital World of Work (2021/2098(INI))

In July 2022, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on mental health in the digital place of work. MEPs call on the Commission to propose a legislation framework establishing minimum standards for telework across the European Union with the focus on digitalisation. Also, the European Parliament highlights the importance of raising awareness of the impact on the mental health of workers of highly prevalent and debilitating neurological disorders such as migraines.

The final text is available here

European Parliament resolution on a pharmaceutical strategy for Europe (2021/2013(INI))

The EU Pharmaceutical Strategy aims to promote research and development of new medicines, which also includes investing in the fight against neurodegenerative and mental disorders by strengthening EU’s research capabilities, improving health systems of the EU member states and ensuring equal access to care for patients. It is expected that the European Commission will propose an updated EU pharmaceutical legislation by the end of 2022.

The final text is available here

EU Presidency

 

Swedish presidency's health policy agenda

The Swedish presidency's health policy agenda is focused on several issues such as overstretched healthcare systems, drug shortages, the effects of the ongoing Russian aggression in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic and new pharmaceutical strategy. One of the biggest legislative acts is the European Health Data Space (EHDS), which should be finalised by June 2024, with the aim to have it up and running in 2025. The Swedish presidency also aims to advance the Commission's proposed new rules on substances of human origin (SoHO) and revise the European Medical Agency’s fees regulation.

Source

Czech Presidency priorities in the area of healthcare

One of the priorities of the Czech Republic during its presidency at the Council of the European Union is the EU Health Data Space. The key issues that will be discussed are ownership of data, ownership of infrastructure and data clouds. Negotiations on this file will include technical aspects as there are concerns about the use of people’s sensitive and personal data. Also, the goal is to focus on the implementation of the EU’s pharmaceutical strategy as the European Commission is expected to propose updated pharmaceutical legislation. The work will also be directed to the EU’s Global Health Strategy. In addition, it is expected that the European Medicines Agency’s (EMA) Regulation will be revised.

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