From 21-24 November, the final Human Brain Project (HBP) review was held in Brussels during which members of the HBP consortium presented the final project results to a panel of external scientific experts. The scope of this review was the final phase of the HBP, which ended in September 2023. Results were presented in detailed documentation and presentations and followed by extensive Q&As.
The expert panel drew a strongly positive conclusion when announcing the preliminary results of their review of the HBP to the consortium and the European Commission (EC) on Friday.
The panel provided overall preliminary comments that are reproduced below. The reviewers emphasized the impressive results of the project and that the legacy of the HBP can be “fundamental in a new phase of neuroscience”, as the project laid the foundations to enable research collaboration on a very large scale, with lasting implications for innovation and the understanding of the brain. The in-depth written review report will now be finalized and is expected to be provided to the European Commission in early 2024.
The full preliminary statement of the review panel:
“The HBP has achieved impressive research results and delivered an open research infrastructure positioned to have a transformative impact in Europe and beyond. Already today, the EBRAINS infrastructure empowers new applications in brain health, and brain derived technologies. The HBP has established a new paradigm of digital neuroscience and a new interdisciplinary culture of collaboration.
Particular highlight achievements include leading digital brain atlases, advanced brain simulation platforms across scales, application of cognitive modelling and personalized medicine, as well as outstanding advances in neuromorphic computing and neuro inspired robotics and AI.
In light of these achievements, the HBP catalyzed highly interdisciplinary research at the scale enhancing our understanding of the brain.
The legacy of the HBP can be fundamental in a new phase of neuroscience.”