To accelerate research into neurodegenerative diseases and dementia, the Synapsis Foundation supports projects in the following areas:

• Research in genetics, molecular and cell biology to gain new insights into pathomechanisms 
• Innovative clinical approaches towards
  • an early diagnosis, including biomarkers
  • new therapeutic interventions
  • prevention studies
• Novel technological developments, including artificial intelligence/e-health, that support the diagnosis, treatment and prediction of the course of the disease
• Psychosocial interventions for people with dementia
• Proof-of-principle studies

The foundation welcomes high-risk proposals and collaborative projects involving groups from different disciplines.

• Applications can only be submitted by scientists working at a university or other research institution located in Switzerland. In the case of Career Development Awards, funding in an EMBO Member Country is possible, but only in a second phase (following the first phase at a Swiss institution).
• Only one project per main applicant is funded at a time 
• Researchers can only apply if they did not receive any funds from Synapsis Foundation for at least one year at the time of application.

Evaluation Criteria:

The Scientific Advisory Board evaluates the submitted research proposals, supported by external experts, according to the following criteria:

• Originality and innovation
• Scientific quality
• Feasibility
• Experience and past performance
• Compliance with application requirements

Evaluation Process

• Evaluation and pre-selection of letters of intent by the Scientific Advisory Board
• Evaluation of full proposals by the Scientific Advisory Board supported by reviews and recommendations of renowned external experts
• Selection Selection of projects to be funded by the Scientific Advisory Board
• Decision on funding of selected projects by the Board of Trustees

• Past Synapsis Forum 2018 - 2023