Human Brain Project

The Human Brain Project is a H2020 FET Flagship Project which strives to accelerate the fields of neuroscience, computing and brain-related medicine.
This acceleration will be achieved by a strategic alignment of scientific research programs in fundamental neuroscience, advanced simulation and multi-scale modelling with the construction of an enabling Research Infrastructure.

The HBP Flagship was launched by the European Commission's Future and Emerging Technologies (FET) scheme in October 2013, and is scheduled to run for ten and a half years. The Flagships represent a new partnering model for visionary, long-term European cooperative research in the European Research Area, demonstrating the potential for common research efforts. The HBP has the following main objectives:

• Create and operate a European scientific Research Infrastructure for brain research, cognitive neuroscience, and other brain-inspired sciences (EBRAINS)
• Gather, organise and disseminate data describing the brain and its diseases
• Simulation of the brain
• Build multi-scale scaffold theory and models for the brain
• Develop brain-inspired computing, data analytics and robotics
• Ensure that the HBP's work is undertaken responsibly and that it benefits society

The timeline of the Project is split into four phases, each of which will be covered by a separate funding agreement. The current phase is Specific Grant Agreement 3 (SGA3), which spans the 42-months period from April 2020–September 2023. The European Union contributed EUR 406 million to the Project in total. The FET Flagships Staff Working Document provides further information on how Flagships are funded.
Since the start of the Human Brain Project in 2013, INM-6 researchers are involved in numerous work packages and tasks. For the current phase (SGA3) our PIs lead the following work packages and tasks:

• WP2 - Networks underlying brain cognition and consciousness
• T2.1 Data-driven model of multisensory object recognition in cortical systems (Sacha van Albada - task contributor)
• T2.5 Multiscale models of brain responsiveness: from single cells to the whole brain (Markus Diesmann - task contributor)

• WP3 - Adaptive networks for cognitive architectures: from advanced learning to neurorobotics and neuromorphic applications

  • T3.1 Embodied high-level cognitive architectures (Sacha van Albada - task contributor)
  • T3.2 Biological visuo-motor architectures on HBP Platforms (Sacha van Albada - task leader)
  • T3.3 Advanced learning methods for cognitive architectures (Sacha van Albada - task contributor)
  • T3.9 WP3 Coordination, management and WP-related outreach (Sacha van Albada & Neharika Chebrol)
  • T3.10 Technical engineering and scientific integration (Sacha van Albada - task contributor)

• WP4 - EBRAINS Data Services

  • T4.13 High-Level Support Team (HLST): User support, documentation, and training materials (Dennis Terhorst, Michael Denker, Charl Linssen - task contributors)

• WP5 - EBRAINS Modelling Services

  • T5.3 Spiking network level description (Abigail Morrison & Markus Diesmann - task leader & co-leader)
  • T5.6 Analysis and validation framework (Sonja Grün & Michael Denker - task leader & co-leader)
  • T5.15 WP5 Coordination and Management, including supervision of SC3 and SC4 (Anne Elfgen - co-leader)

• Further contributions

  • Education Programme Committee (Markus Diesmann, Sonja Grün)
  • Diversity and Equal Opportunities Committee (Sacha van Albada, Abigail Morrison)
  • Data Governance Working Group (Sonja Grün - SC3 representative)