Cluster 1 - Health Advancing innovative interventions for mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders

Program Code: HORIZON-HLTH-2025-03-DISEASE-02-two-stage

Program Type: Research and Innovation Action

Research Areas: More innovative, safer and more effective therapeutic and relapse-preventing solutions for mental, behavioural and neurodevelopmental disorders (eg severe depression, anxiety, schizophrenia, psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addictive behaviours, obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders and autism spectrum disorder) are required. Available treatments show modest efficacy, non-negligible side effects, discontinuation problems and high relapse rates. Solutions based on active substances; other non-invasive multidisciplinary and/or transdiagnostic approaches (e.g. neurostimulation, neuroimaging, digital, non-pharmaceutical, psychotherapy, psychosocial) should be further developed to complement the therapeutic and relapse prevention solutions. Proposals should address:

• Clinical studies into the safety and efficacy of the interventions.
• Mechanism(s) of action of the innovative therapies and complementary approaches. Could entail analyses of imaging, physiological, molecular, biochemical or omics signatures revealing potential perturbations prior to the intervention and recovery thereafter; development of surrogate endpoints. This insight should open the path to more personalized interventions and approaches.
• Use/develop technologies, including digital ones (e.g. AI, wearable technologies) to help implement and monitor the long-term efficacy of the intervention, manage the disorder and/or monitor progression.
• Engage relevant stakeholders (especially patients and patients’ representatives for the disorder, caregivers, clinicians, counsellors, regulators, etc.) to design end-user optimized interventions.

Rare diseases excluded. Participation of SMEs encouraged. SSHRC expertise should be included.

Total Funding Available: $9-12M CAD per project ($79M CAD total available for 7 projects)