Objective
The traditional view of language as relying on isolated brain areas is increasingly challenged by clinical and anatomical evidence suggesting that it emerges from the dynamic interplay of distributed neural networks across cortical, subcortical, and white matter systems. Despite language’s centrality to human cognition, a unified anatomical model integrating structural, functional, and neurochemical foundations remains absent—limiting progress in our fundamental understanding and clinical translation of research results. The overarching goal of EMERGENCE is to uncover the anatomical principles underlying how language emerges in the brain—molecularly, structurally, functionally, computationally, and clinically—while centring the multimodal integration at the heart of the investigation. Using advanced neuroimaging, computational modelling, behavioural analysis, and clinical investigations it will: (1) map multimodal language networks, highlighting subcortical structures and neurotransmitter contributions; (2) construct the language connectome by integrating structural connectivity and cognitive correlations with a data-driven functional analysis; (3) deliver the first functional white matter atlas of language by exploring the structural-functional basis of five experimental linguistic tasks; and (4) investigate underexplored features such as prosody and phenomena like “clicks” and the selective loss of clicks (aclickia) in African languages, integrating them into a unified brain-cognition model.
The project will redefine the neurobiology of language, offering actionable insights for diagnostics, neurosurgical precision, and inform novel interventions. By embracing linguistic diversity and bridging fundamental science with clinical applications, it promises to reshape our understanding of the anatomical principles underlying how language emerges in the brain—molecularly, structurally, functionally, computationally, and clinically.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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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-COG
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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.
6525 XZ Nijmegen
Netherlands
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.