Ten collaborative projects awarded funding to advance neurotechnology education across Europe
Launched in March, the call invited researchers, educators and professional staff from NeurotechEU institutions to develop collaborative initiatives that support the alliance's mission of transforming higher education in brain research and neurotechnology. Funding was awarded to projects that promote educational excellence, interdisciplinarity, mobility and sustainable activities with benefits across the alliance.
Following a competitive evaluation process, the selection committee chose ten projects representing a wide range of disciplines, institutions and educational approaches. The funded initiatives span topics including neuroscience education, healthy ageing, sleep technology, neuroimaging, addiction research, microsurgery, brain organoids, digital learning environments and support for carers of people living with neurodegenerative diseases.
It was wonderful to see the range and diversity of the selected projects, together covering many of the NeurotechEU content domains. From neuroscience methods to neurotechnology applications in healthcare, they offer students a valuable opportunity to draw on complementary expertise across the alliance. I look forward to seeing the outcomes and am hopeful that many will grow into sustainable educational offerings.
Dr Kristof Keidel, Postdoctoral Researcher, University of Bonn, member of the NeurotechEU Collaboration Funding Selection Committee
Strengthening collaboration across the alliance
The ten funded projects highlight the breadth of expertise within NeurotechEU and the opportunities created through collaboration between partner universities. Together, they will develop new courses, training programmes and educational resources.
Through this initiative, NeurotechEU aims to strengthen partnerships across the alliance, encourage innovative approaches to teaching and learning, and lay the foundation for future joint activities. By bringing together expertise from different institutions and disciplines, the projects will contribute to a more connected European campus while addressing key challenges in neuroscience, health and technology.
Want to know more or get involved?
To learn more about the funded projects or connect with researchers involved in the initiatives, please contact your local NeurotechEU office.
The funded projects
Neurokraken 3D: Challenge-Based Learning inside the Digital Lab
Led by Medical University of Innsbruck in collaboration with Radboud University, this project combines coding education, neuroscience and immersive digital twin technology. Students will learn programming and experimental design by tackling authentic research challenges within a virtual 3D laboratory environment.
Smart Sleep: Exploring the Future of Sleep Measurements
A collaboration between partners at Karolinska Institutet, Medical University of Innsbruck, Radboud University, and Reykjavik University Smart Sleep introduces students to emerging sleep-monitoring technologies, including wearables and home-based diagnostic tools. Participants will work with real-world challenges in sleep physiology, digital health and data analysis, supported by industry partner Nox Medical.
Pharmacological and Molecular Fundaments of Tolerance and Addiction
Led by Karolinska Institutet and Medical University of Innsbruck, this blended intensive programme explores the molecular and cellular mechanisms behind tolerance and addiction. Through laboratory-based training and interdisciplinary teaching, students will gain insight into one of today's most significant public health challenges.
Harmonized Quantitative MRI: Integrating BIDS for Multiparametric Mapping Across Species
This collaboration between Boğaziçi University and Radboud University will develop open-access resources and interactive tools for quantitative MRI analysis. Students will gain hands-on experience with reproducible neuroimaging workflows and data standardisation methods that support cutting-edge neuroscience research.
Advancements in Experimental Microsurgery
Partners from Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie din Cluj-Napoca, Karolinska Institutet and Boğaziçi University will deliver a blended intensive programme focused on advanced microsurgical techniques. The project provides practical training that connects neuroscience, surgery and translational research.
Fundamentals of Bioengineering Brain Organoids
Led by Karolinska Institutet together with Boğaziçi University, Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche and Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie din Cluj-Napoca, this two-week programme offers students theoretical and practical training in brain organoid technologies. Participants will work in interdisciplinary teams while developing skills in stem cells, organoid culture, imaging and neurotechnology.
Innovative Pilot Training in a Positive Approach of Neurogerontology, Targeting Participants Aged 55+
The University of Lille and Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche will jointly develop a neuroscience-based training programme for learners aged 55 and above. The project aims to improve neuroscience literacy, fostering gerontological competencies and create a scalable model for lifelong learning across the alliance.
MoveLab: Cross-Institutional Challenge-Based Learning - Motion Capture Analysis of Pathological Gait in Ataxia
Developed by partners at University of Bonn, Radboud University, Medical University of Innsbruck and Reykjavik University, MoveLab combines neuroscience, medicine and data science to teach students how to analyse gait disorders using motion-capture technologies and artificial intelligence. The project includes workshops, digital learning modules and hackathons built around real clinical data.
NeuroCarers: Co-Creation of Challenge-Based Learning Materials on Neurodegenerative Diseases, Carers Burden, and Neurotechnologies
This collaboration between the Universitatea de Medicină și Farmacie din Cluj-Napoca and Universidad Miguel Hernández de Elche focuses on developing educational materials that support understanding of neurodegenerative diseases and the challenges faced by informal carers. Students, carers and academics will jointly develop multilingual learning resources and a practical Caregiving Toolkit.
Methods in Neuroscience: Essential neuroscience methods and techniques in systems neuroscience with online lectures and in-person practical training at NeurotechEU partner universities
Building on an established master's course at Radboud University, this project will expand training in essential neuroscience methods to NeurotechEU partners Reykjavík University, University of Bonn and University of Lille. The hybrid course combines online lectures with local practical training and aims to create a sustainable and scalable educational model across the alliance.