Big Brain Theory program
The growing field of neuroscience
Discoveries that make a big difference often cannot be predicted. Yet they are born of an environment that encourages boldness and exploration. This is precisely the ambition of the Big Brain Theory (BBT) program: to enable researchers at Paris Brain Institute to explore innovative ideas, without the constraints of traditional funding, in order to accelerate the understanding and treatment of neurological diseases.
OUR CHALLENGE
Promoting the emergence of major discoveries
Paris Brain Institute wants to launch 15 groundbreaking projects, both internally and internationally. These projects will aim to open up new fields of research, breaking free from existing models to have a lasting impact on science and millions of patients.
SHOWING THE WAY BY BEING BOLD
Since 2015, the BBT program has already enabled:
- funding for 45 pioneering projects
- publication of 75 scientific articles
- filing of a strategic patent
- awarding of permanent contracts to three young talents
An exceptional lever
Every €1 invested generated an average of €2.30 in additional funding from public and semi-public sources.
€6.1 million
invested for a total of €12.7 million raised
“Thanks to the Big Brain Theory, we empower researchers to ask “What if?” and to turn that “What if?” into a research project, explaining why, if they are right, a new understanding of the brain will emerge. We give them the resources to test ambitious new theories!”
Professor Brian Lau
Scientific Director of Paris Brain Institute
Target amount
€4.5 million
to fund 15 research projects from the Big Brain Theory program, i.e. €300,000 per winning project in the program