EU world-class research: investing in emerging technologies - and in Europe's future - Main contents

Today the European Commission signed a partnership agreement to launch the second phase of one of our most exciting digital scientific initiatives: the Human Brain Project (HPB). The project aims to improve our understanding of the human brain, make advances in defining and diagnosing brain disorders, and develop new brain-like technologies.

It holds the potential to change the way brain research is done in the future and revolutionise the future of neuroscience, medicine and computing.

HBP is one of two Future and Emerging Technology (FET) Flagships, whose mission is to address the big scientific and technological challenges of our age. Graphene, the second FET, is taking graphene and related two-dimensional materials from the lab to the marketplace in many industrial sectors including electronics, aerospace, automotive and energy.

FET flagships are ambitious, highly-risky, long term and large scale research and innovation initiatives. They now start delivering impressive results after two years of work.

FET flagships bring together many excellent research organisations from all over Europe with the aim to turn scientific advances into concrete innovations that benefit Europe's society and economy.

With these initiatives, Europe is setting strategic priorities for the next ten years. Flagships are defining the global research roadmap for their field and set out a path for Europe to take a leading role.

They also help keep our best talents in Europe and attract some of the best minds from all over the world to our research institutes: each flagship mobilises 350-400 young and enthusiastic researchers from Europe and beyond.

We are supporting such ambitious and risky projects as they promise a large return in the long term. The Human Brain Project and Graphene Flagships, and those which may follow will help Europe maintain its position as a global player, particularly in priority areas with the potential to create jobs and economic growth.