INSTITUTO NEUROLOGICO MEDITERRANEO NEUROMED SOCIETA PER AZIONI

Their core work

IRCCS Neuromed is a private neurological research hospital in southern Italy specializing in neuroscience, medical imaging, and clinical research. The institute operates advanced imaging facilities including PET and MRI scanners, which it applies not only to neurological and cardiovascular research but also to unconventional domains like agricultural science. It has a strong track record in training early-career researchers through Marie Skłodowska-Curie doctoral and fellowship programmes, and pivoted rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic to contribute to air decontamination technology for healthcare settings.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Neuromed's early H2020 involvement (2016–2019) centered on life sciences training and biomaterial science through doctoral programmes, positioning the institute as a research capacity builder in southern Italy. From 2020 onward, the focus shifted sharply toward applied medical technologies — COVID-related air decontamination and, notably, repurposing clinical imaging tools (PET, MRI) for agricultural research. This evolution shows a deliberate move from training-oriented participation toward technology application and cross-sector innovation.

Neuromed is moving toward applying its clinical imaging infrastructure to non-medical domains like agriculture, making it an unusual partner for cross-sector projects that need medical-grade imaging expertise outside healthcare.

How they like to work

Neuromed acts as both coordinator and partner, having led 2 of its 4 projects — a high coordination rate for a small SME. Its 40 unique partners across 12 countries indicate openness to diverse consortia rather than reliance on a fixed network. This suggests a flexible, internationally connected organization that can both lead focused research fellowships and contribute specialist capabilities to larger innovation actions.

Despite being a small private institute, Neuromed has built a network of 40 unique partners across 12 countries, reflecting broad European reach through its MSCA and innovation projects. The geographic spread suggests strong connections across both Western and Southern European research ecosystems.

What sets them apart

Neuromed's most distinctive asset is its willingness to apply clinical-grade imaging technology — PET, CT, MRI — to entirely non-medical fields like agriculture, a capability almost no other neurological institute offers. As a private research hospital with SME status, it combines clinical infrastructure with the agility and cost structures that make it accessible to diverse consortia. For consortium builders, this means access to advanced imaging facilities and medical research expertise without the overhead of partnering with a large university hospital.

Highlights from their portfolio

• PETAL
  Highly unusual application of positron emission tomography to study wheat growth — a rare example of medical imaging technology transfer to agriculture, coordinated by Neuromed.
• CleanAir
  Rapid pandemic response project developing air decontamination from lab to manufacturing scale, with Neuromed's largest single EU funding (EUR 353,500).
• EpiBigDatainWomen
  Coordinator-led MSCA fellowship combining epigenetics with big data for cardiovascular risk — demonstrates independent research leadership capacity.