"Europe and MPC possess a good potential of well trained researchers in the field of brain function and dysfunction in disease. However, neuroscience remains poorly represented in collaborative projects amongst the Mediterranean and European countries. Yet, as the MPC access to the status of developed economies, they face severe health burden of brain dysfunction in relation with developmental issues, education, aging, neurodegenerative diseases, mental and addictive disorders. It is thus crucial for the MPC to invest in this theme of research. In this context, N€UROMED aims at supporting MPC research institutions infrastructure and potential development in brain research. The project, built on existing collaborations and local networks, gathers a strong human potential from 23 Universities and research centres and complementary expertise in basic and clinical neuroscience. More precisely, the objectives are to promote and improve: (1) twinning between centres of excellence in the EU and the MPC; (2) recruitment, training and secondments in MPC centres; (3) transfer of knowledge and know-how to the MPC research centres; (4) physical research infrastructure in MPC centres. Focusing on 4 major relevant societal issues (neurodegenerative and mental diseases, neuroplasticity, adaptation to environmental stress and brain imaging), where cooperation with EU research entities can help increase the human potential and physical infrastructure in MPC, N€UROMED will pave the way to the creation of solid links amongst institutions in MPC and Turkey, and to step up Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation in the field of Neurosciences. In parallel to the implementation of specific activities, N€UROMED will also improve the participation of the MPC to the FP7. Finally, the project is expected to have broader impacts on other key EU policies as it contributes to the fulfilment of the neighbourhood policy, as well as the international aspect of the European R&D policy."