NCCR SYNAPSY
2010 series
Home institutions: University of Geneva, EPFL, University of Lausanne
The National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) "SYNAPSY – Synaptic Bases of Mental Diseases" aims to discover the neurobiological mechanisms of mental and cognitive disorders, since one of the major challenges in psychiatry is to achieve a better understanding of how these illnesses originate.
It is hoped that this research will lead to the development of improved diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches. The NCCR "SYNAPSY" focuses on the interface between preclinical research and clinical development, combining neuroscience with psychiatry. This research focus will help train a new generation of psychiatrists with both high clinical expertise and a sound knowledge of the basic neurobiological aspects of mental functions and dysfunctions.
Further information on the NCCR:
Contact details
NCCR Management
NCCR Director
Prof. Camilla Bellone
Director, NCCR SYNAPS
University of Geneva
Department of Basic Neurosciences
Centre Médical Universitaire (CMU)
Rue Michel-Servet
CH-1211 Genève
Phone: +41 (0) 22 379 54 33
Email: camilla.bellone@unige.chCo-Director
Prof. Carmen Sandi
Co-Director, NCCR SYNAPSY
EPFL SV BMI LGC
SV 2810 (Bâtiment SV)
Station 19
CH-1015 Lausanne
Phone: +41 (0) 21 693 95 34
Email: carmen.sandi@epfl.chCo-Director
Prof. Philippe Conus
Co-Director, NCCR SYNAPSY
Faculté de biologie et médecine Service de psychiatrie générale
Site de Cery Route du Mont
CH-1008 Prilly
Phone: +41 (0) 21 643 64 02
Email: philippe.conus@chuv.chManagement / Coordination
Dr. Anouchka Pickenhagen Junod
NCCR Synapsy
Campus Biotech
Ch. des Mines 9
CH-1202 Genève
Phone: +41 (0) 22 379 11 21
Email: anouchka.junod@unige.chFunding
NCCRs are financed through grants awarded by the SNSF, but also from other sources. The home institutions involved in the NCCR also contribute a substantial amount of money. The available overall budget of the NCCR is further increased by monetary contributions from the project participants and third-party funds, which are generally invested by industrial companies.
The SNSF is financing the NCCR SYNAPSY in its third funding period.
Financing 2010 – 2021 (Swiss francs)
Funding source
2010-2013
2014-2017
2018-2021
SNSF grant*
17’480’000
17’513’890
12'750'000
Funds of EPFL*
11'050'000
6'900'000
6'400'000
Funds of Geneva University*
2'070'000
1'902'000
7'065'200
Funds of Lausanne University*
1'100'000
1‘500‘000
3'066'000
Group funds of the project participants
15‘637‘967
23'704'005
17'662'798
External funds
2'254'204
959’270
0
* contractually agreed funding
Evaluation / Review Panel
For each NCCR, the SNSF appoints a Review Panel composed of renowned experts whose task it is to evaluate scientific quality and the progress made in NCCR projects. The Review Panel of the NCCR SYNAPSY consists of the following experts:
Contact person at the SNSF:
Dr Nathalie Schaller
NCCR Team
Swiss National Science Foundation
Wildhainweg 3
CH-3001 Berne
Phone: +41 (0) 31 308 23 48
Email: nathalie.schaller@snf.chResearch structures
National Centres of Competence in Research leave their mark on the research landscape well beyond the SNSF funding period. They help to define key topics and sustainably change Swiss research structures. Thus NCCRs can lead to the creation of new professorships and courses of study as well as new infrastructures or platforms at the universities involved.
NCCRs operate as a network in which a large number of scientific partners are active. Working within these networks has borne fruit in the form of new research approaches and excellent scientific contributions.
Structures created by this NCCR until now:
Contributions to society and the economy
The National Centres of Competence in Research not only engage in cutting-edge research, they also play an important role in transferring knowledge and new technologies to the economy and to society at large. They lead to the formation of start-ups, and the new insights have the potential to awaken the interest of politicians, globally active companies and the public at large.
Communication and knowledge transfer of the NCCR SYNAPSY:
Promotion of academic careers and equal opportunities
The National Centres of Competence in Research consciously promote promising young researchers and are committed to equal opportunities for men and women in research.
Measures taken by the NCCR SYNAPSY to promote young researchers and gender equality.