Pan-European Network for Neuroscience Research Infrastructure and Strengthening of Support capacities

Project Information

PANERIS

Grant agreement ID: 101160180

DOI

10.3030/101160180

Project closed

EC signature date 26 March 2024

Start date 1 May 2024

End date 30 April 2026

Funded under

• Widening participation and spreading excellence

Total cost

€ 1 046 012,50

EU contribution

€ 1 046 012,50

Coordinated by

VILNIAUS UNIVERSITETAS
Lithuania

Periodic Reporting for period 1 - PANERIS (Pan-European Network for Neuroscience Research Infrastructure and Strengthening of Support capacities)

Reporting period: 2024-05-01 to 2026-04-30

Summary of the context and overall objectives of the project

European neuroscience research and innovation (R&I) continues to face challenges, including fragmented research infrastructures, barriers to cross-border collaboration, funding gaps, skills shortages, and insufficient alignment of R&I strategies and policies. PANERIS was established to address these challenges by strengthening cooperation among three widening institutions and one non-widening partner through a shared internationalisation strategy, capacity building and researcher mobility. The project enhanced access to complementary neuroscience infrastructures, expertise and European talent, while supporting the development of researchers and research support professionals in areas including research management, communication, ethics, human resources, technology transfer and Open Science. It also promoted knowledge exchange among early-stage researchers and strengthened institutional capacities to participate in European research and innovation programmes. Through collaboration with key European research infrastructures and networks, as well as engagement with regional and national stakeholders, PANERIS contributed to better alignment of institutional, regional and national R&I strategies and funding instruments. Overall, the project strengthened cross-border collaboration and supported the free flow of knowledge, expertise and technology, contributing to a more integrated European Research Area.

Work performed from the beginning of the project to the end of the period covered by the report and main results achieved so far

PANERIS was implemented to strengthen neuroscience research and innovation capacities in Widening Countries through international collaboration, researcher mobility, institutional capacity building and strategic networking. During the 24-month implementation period, the consortium established frameworks for cooperation among research-performing organisations, European research infrastructures and innovation ecosystems, supporting the integration of the participating institutions into the ERA.
The project implemented all planned technical work packages and delivered the expected scientific and capacity-building outputs. A joint internationalisation strategy was developed and implemented, accompanied by the mapping of neuroscience research infrastructures, stakeholder ecosystems and funding opportunities. Capacity building was supported through specialised training in proposal development, research management, Open Science and HRS4R implementation, benefiting more than 70 research support professionals. In parallel, institutional guidance and best-practice recommendations were developed to strengthen human resource management and internationalisation strategies.
Researcher mobility and knowledge exchange were strengthened through 24 Short-Term Scientific Missions, enabling early-stage researchers to access complementary expertise, advanced methodologies and research infrastructures across the consortium. These activities were complemented by four Summer and Winter Schools, providing advanced training in neurodevelopment, neurodegenerative diseases, addiction research, computational neuroscience and transferable skills. The collaborative activities supported the preparation of six joint scientific publications, three of which had been accepted for publication by the end of the project, and contributed to the development of new collaborative research proposals.
The project also strengthened cooperation with major European research infrastructures and networks, including EBRAINS and EATRIS, and expanded the consortium's collaboration ecosystem to more than 450 organisations, including over 300 new institutions from more than 30 countries. These activities increased institutional readiness for future participation in European research programmes and supported the development of long-term collaborative partnerships.
Overall, PANERIS delivered the planned technical and scientific activities, strengthened institutional research and innovation capacities, enhanced researcher skills and mobility, and established sustainable frameworks for continued scientific collaboration, joint proposal development and participation in the European Research Area beyond the project's lifetime.

Progress beyond the state of the art and expected potential impact (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)

PANERIS delivered a portfolio of scientific, technical and institutional results that contribute to strengthening neuroscience research and innovation capacities in Widening Countries and support the long-term integration of the participating institutions into the ERA.
The project's principal technical and scientific results include:
• a joint internationalisation strategy for neuroscience research and innovation;
• strengthened institutional capacities in research management, Open Science and HRS4R implementation;
• a comprehensive mapping of neuroscience research infrastructures, stakeholders and funding opportunities;
• best-practice recommendations and guidance for creating synergies between Horizon Europe, research infrastructures and national/regional funding instruments;
• 24 Short-Term Scientific Missions, four Summer and Winter Schools, and advanced training programmes for researchers and research support professionals;
• six collaborative scientific publications (three accepted by the end of the project);
• expanded collaboration with European research infrastructures and networks, including EBRAINS and EATRIS; and
• new collaborative proposal pipelines, including successful follow-on projects funded under Horizon Europe.
These results are expected to generate long-term impacts by improving institutional competitiveness, strengthening researcher mobility and international collaboration, increasing participation in European funding programmes, and facilitating access to complementary research infrastructures and expertise. The methodologies, training materials and strategic guidance developed during PANERIS are directly reusable by partner institutions and can be adapted by other organisations seeking to strengthen their research and innovation capacities.
The continued uptake of the project results will rely primarily on sustained institutional commitment rather than further technological development. Key needs include maintaining the collaborative networks established through PANERIS, continued engagement with European research infrastructures and strategic networks, implementation of the HRS4R roadmaps, regular updating of institutional internationalisation strategies, continued researcher mobility, and the preparation of joint proposals under Horizon Europe and related European programmes. Ongoing cooperation with regional, national and European stakeholders will further support the implementation of the project's strategic recommendations and promote synergies between European and national funding instruments.
By the end of the project, PANERIS had established sustainable collaboration mechanisms among four partner institutions, implemented a comprehensive programme of researcher mobility and capacity-building activities, strengthened institutional research support functions, expanded its international collaboration network to more than 450 organisations, and generated follow-on collaborative initiatives, including successful Horizon Europe-funded projects. Together, these outcomes provide a solid foundation for continued scientific collaboration, institutional development and increased participation of the consortium in the ERA beyond the project's lifetime.