Objective
The ability to adapt behavior to unfamiliar situations is crucial in our complex and ever-changing world. In such circumstances, we often rely on the statistical structure of our environment, allowing us to generalize previously learned behaviors to new, similar situations. Two brain regions are key to this flexibility: the hippocampus, which creates cognitive maps that represent the structure of the world, and the prefrontal cortex, which accesses and uses these representations based on current task demands.
In addition to their cognitive functions, both regions are also involved in regulating emotional aspects of our experiences. However, even though it is often the interplay between cognition and emotion that plays a central role in well-being and psychopathology, cognition and emotion are often studied in isolation. CogFlex challenges this compartmentalized view and proposes a unified framework, suggesting that emotions directly shape how we represent the world and thereby influence how we generalize, update, and act on information.
Using a combination of sophisticated human neuroscience methods, including high-resolution functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), intracranial recordings, and advanced computational models, CogFlex will offer unprecedented details in how the human brain forms, uses, updates and selects cognitive maps and how emotions interact with these processes. Notably, CogFlex will move beyond observing correlations by non-invasively manipulating hippocampal and prefrontal representations using transcranial temporal interference stimulation (tTIS), offering causal insight into the role these brain regions play in selecting and using cognitive maps for guiding flexible behavior.
Through this integrative approach, CogFlex will provide a deep mechanistic understanding of the neurobiological basis of flexible behavior and lay the foundation for more personalized mental health interventions based on individual cognitive-affective phenotypes
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC - HORIZON ERC Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2025-STG
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
97070 Wuerzburg
Germany
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.