The EU-funded MULTI-ACT project aims to increase the impact of health research on people with brain diseases. It will create and implement a new model allowing for the effective cooperation of all relevant stakeholders and be applicable in defining the scope of health research and innovation as well as new metrics for the evaluation of its results.
Background
The MULTI-ACT project will last 36 months (1 May 2018 - 30 April 2021), with a budget of ¬3.5 million. MULTI-ACT is coordinated by the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Society Foundation (FISM), as member of the International MS Federation (MSIF).
Goal
Higher life expectancy among Europeans has caused an increase in the number of patients with brain diseases, such as Alzheimers, Parkinsons, Multiple Sclerosis and many other disorders. Brain ill-health currently affects 179 million individuals in Europe and will affect one in three Europeans during their lifetime. The five most prevalent brain diseases in Europe are anxiety disorders, migraine, mood disorders, addiction and dementia. It is therefore of utmost importance to develop a research model that produces results that have a real impact on the lives of these patients and their caregivers.
So far, most multi-stakeholder initiatives have faltered, in most cases due to the lack of appropriate infrastructure and shared means of aligning efforts and results. This is why the MULTI-ACT project will work with patient associations, academics, private stakeholders and the public to develop brand new tools to assess the value of research from four different aspects: stakeholder agenda, scientific excellence, economic efficiency and social impact.
Funding source
EU
Contact persons
Eija Vinnari
Professor
eija.vinnari [at] uta.fi
+358 50 318 7602
Anna Kork
Post-doctoral researcher
anna.kork [at] uta.fi
+358 50 318 5987