The global mental health crisis demands innovative solutions, adn the Synapsy Center is answering the call. This article announces an international prize that recognizes groundbreaking contributions to the field of neuroscience and psychiatry, aiming to speed up translational research and improve outcomes. Learn about the prize details and how it seeks to bridge the gap between research and clinical practice.
Synapsy Center Launches International Prize to Bridge Neuroscience and Psychiatry
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Geneva, Switzerland – April 9, 2025
Global Mental Health Crisis Spurs Innovation
Mental health faces a worldwide crisis, demanding innovative solutions. While neuroscience is rapidly advancing, psychiatry continues to grapple with diagnosing and effectively treating numerous disorders.
In response,the Synapsy Center for Neuroscience and Mental Health Research at the University of Geneva is introducing a new international prize.This award recognizes individuals who successfully integrate neuroscience and psychiatry.
The Imperative for a New Research Model
Psychiatric illnesses, including depression, schizophrenia, anxiety, and bipolar disorders, affect hundreds of millions globally. These conditions are major contributors to disability, suffering, and mortality. Despite their prevalence, clinical advancements remain limited. Many diagnoses lack definitive biomarkers,and treatments often lack precision.
The Synapsy Center aims to address this critical gap. Building on the foundation of the Swiss National Science Foundation’s Synapsy National center of competence in Research (NCCR), which operated from 2010 to 2022, the center unites neuroscience and clinical psychiatry researchers from the University of Geneva. Their shared goal is to accelerate translational research, ultimately enhancing mental health outcomes.
Synapsy Prize: Recognizing the Bridge Builders
The Synapsy Center will launch its international prize in spring 2025. The prize, valued at 50,000 CHF, will honor significant contributions from mid- to advanced-career professionals working at the intersection of neuroscience and psychiatry.
The future of mental health research depends on closer links between the laboratory and the clinic,” emphasizes. This award will highlight those who already embody this vision and whose research quality has considerably contributed to improving the understanding of psychiatric illnesses. Our hope is that this will encourage others to follow their example, e.g. the Synapsy research model.
Christian Lüscher, Professor and Coordinator, synapsy center and Chairman of the Synapsy Prize Committee, University of geneva
Call for Nominations: Key Dates and Details
The nomination period will run from early April to June 30, 2025. Only nominations submitted by peers will be considered. A panel of Swiss experts from UNIGE, University of Lausanne, and EPFL, along with members of the former NCCR-Synapsy and a representative from a patient association, will conduct the selection process.
- Nomination period: Early April – June 30, 2025
- Eligibility: Mid- to advanced-career professionals
- Nomination Type: Peer nominations only
- Selection: Expert jury including representatives from UNIGE, University of Lausanne, EPFL, former NCCR-Synapsy members, and a patient association.
The award recipient will be invited to Campus Biotech in geneva in December 2025. The invitation includes a public conference and a Master Class designed for young researchers.
