FONDAZIONE EUROPEAN BRAIN RESEARCHINSTITUTE RITA LEVI

Their core work

EBRI (European Brain Research Institute Rita Levi-Montalcini) is a Rome-based neuroscience research foundation focused on understanding brain function and neurodegenerative diseases. They contribute specialized expertise in brain simulation, neuroinformatics, and biological signatures of disease within large-scale European brain research initiatives. Their work spans from molecular-level brain reconstruction (transcriptome, connectome mapping) to computational neuroscience using high-performance computing infrastructure. They also pursue diagnostic innovation, as shown by their involvement in magnetic diagnostic assays for neurodegenerative conditions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

EBRI's early H2020 work (2016–2018) centered on biological brain research — mouse brain reconstruction, transcriptome analysis, and identifying biological signatures of disease. From 2018 onward, their focus expanded significantly toward digital infrastructure: federated data platforms, interactive supercomputing, brain modeling at scale, and the EBRAINS research infrastructure. This shift mirrors the Human Brain Project's own evolution from data-gathering phases to building a permanent European neuroscience computing platform.

EBRI is moving from wet-lab neuroscience toward computational and data-driven brain research, positioning them as a bridge between biological expertise and digital neuroscience infrastructure.

How they like to work

EBRI operates exclusively as a participant in very large consortia — all five projects are Research and Innovation Actions with no coordination roles. With 166 unique partners across 20 countries, they are embedded in one of Europe's largest research networks (the Human Brain Project ecosystem). This makes them a reliable, well-connected specialist contributor rather than a project driver — ideal for consortia that need deep neuroscience expertise without the overhead of leadership.

EBRI has collaborated with 166 unique partners across 20 countries, almost entirely through the Human Brain Project mega-consortium. This gives them an exceptionally wide European network in neuroscience and HPC, though the connections are concentrated within a single project ecosystem.

What sets them apart

EBRI carries the legacy of Nobel laureate Rita Levi-Montalcini and combines deep biological neuroscience with computational brain research — a rare dual competence. Their sustained involvement across all three phases of the Human Brain Project means they have institutional knowledge of Europe's largest neuroscience initiative and direct access to the EBRAINS infrastructure. For any consortium needing a credible Italian neuroscience partner with both biological and computational capabilities, EBRI is a natural choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• HBP SGA3
  The final phase of the Human Brain Project, delivering the permanent EBRAINS research infrastructure — EBRI's involvement across all three SGA phases demonstrates sustained trust and relevance.
• MADIA
  Their only project outside the HBP ecosystem, focused on magnetic diagnostic assays for neurodegenerative diseases — shows applied diagnostic capability beyond pure research.
• ICEI
  Dedicated computing infrastructure project for the Human Brain Project, highlighting EBRI's role in building shared digital neuroscience platforms.