EBRAINS

Their core work

EBRAINS is the digital research infrastructure born from the Human Brain Project, providing neuroscientists and technologists with shared platforms for brain simulation, neuroinformatics, and high-performance computing. They operate federated data systems that allow researchers across Europe to access brain atlases, run large-scale simulations, and develop neuromorphic computing and neurorobotics applications. As a Brussels-based AISBL, they serve as the institutional backbone ensuring the HBP's tools and datasets remain accessible as a lasting European research infrastructure.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

EBRAINS' early work (2018) centered on building the technical plumbing — federated data systems, interactive supercomputing, and foundational brain modeling through ICEI and HBP SGA2. By the later period (2020+), the focus shifted decisively toward institutionalizing these tools as a permanent research infrastructure, with HBP SGA3 adding higher-level capabilities like neuromorphic computing, neurorobotics, and connectomics. The trajectory is clear: from building computing infrastructure to operating a comprehensive neuroscience platform.

EBRAINS is transitioning from project-funded infrastructure development to a self-sustaining European research infrastructure, expanding into neuromorphic computing and AI-adjacent domains.

How they like to work

EBRAINS operates as both a consortium leader and a major participant in flagship-scale projects, coordinating ICEI and HBP SGA3 while contributing to HBP SGA2 and EBRA. With 161 unique partners across 19 countries, they function as a hub organization — a central node connecting diverse neuroscience, computing, and health research groups across Europe. Working with EBRAINS means plugging into one of the largest collaborative networks in European brain research.

EBRAINS has collaborated with 161 unique partners across 19 countries, reflecting the massive scale of the Human Brain Project ecosystem. Their network spans nearly all of Western and Central Europe, with particularly strong ties to major national neuroscience and HPC centers.

What sets them apart

EBRAINS is essentially the operational entity of the Human Brain Project — one of the EU's two FET Flagship initiatives and the largest neuroscience project ever funded in Europe. No other organization occupies this exact position: a dedicated AISBL created specifically to maintain and operate brain research infrastructure beyond the HBP's funding period. For anyone working in computational neuroscience, brain-inspired computing, or large-scale neural data, EBRAINS is the default European partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HBP SGA3
  The final phase of the Human Brain Project with EUR 11.9M to EBRAINS alone — coordinated by EBRAINS to establish the permanent research infrastructure.
• ICEI
  Built the interactive computing backbone (federated HPC and data services) that underpins the entire EBRAINS platform.
• EBRA
  Positioned EBRAINS in the broader European Brain Research Area coordination, connecting them to health-sector policy and strategic planning.