EU Joint Programme on Neurodegenerative Disease Research

Multinational research projects on health and social care for neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease, represent a global public health challenge. In Canada, more than 419,000 Canadians aged 65 and older live with diagnosed dementia including Alzheimer’s disease. With Canada’s aging population, the number of people affected by these neurodegenerative diseases is projected to increase.

The Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) Dementia Research Strategy, composed of national and international components, allows the Government of Canada to support

world-class research on dementia. Internationally, CIHR and partners have facilitated Canada's participation in key international initiatives, including in the EU Joint Programme on Neurodegenerative Disease Research (JPND) to tackle the challenge of dementia in a trans-national collaborative manner. JPND facilitates the coordination of research investments from participating countries and support international research projects that aim to determine causes, develop cures, and identify appropriate ways to care for people living with neurodegenerative diseases. For each of the research projects supported, applicants have to include researchers from at least three of the participating countries. 

In 2018, JPND launched a call for research proposals on health and social care for neurodegenerative diseases. As a result of the call, the Government of Canada is investing over $1 million over three years, through CIHR and the Public Health Agency of Canada, to support the participation of Canadian researchers in the three international projects below. Canada’s contribution is part of a total investment of nearly $6.8 million over three years in these projects by research agencies in the participating member countries.