Nimhans, University of Liverpool ink MoU for next phase of collaboration

The National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of Liverpool, UK, for the next phase of their collaboration in neuroscience and mental health research.

To further strengthen this initiative, Bengaluru-based NIMHANS has entered into a pact with Pratiksha Trust, which will provide £1.5 million to the research alliance. A special event was held at NIMHANS on Tuesday to mark the signing of the MoU and celebrate the research partnership.

According to NIMHANS, the partnership between NIMHANS and the University of Liverpool, established in 2002, has had a profound impact on global healthcare, saving more than 200,000 lives.

The collaboration has also attracted significant external funding, totaling £10 million, from various organizations such as the Wellcome Trust, the UK Medical Research Council, the Indian Council for Medical Research, and the Gates Foundation, a NIMHANS statement said.

Areas that would be explored through this partnership include three core research areas: brain infections, child and maternal mental health, neuroimaging and epilepsy research.

The partnership also includes a dual PhD program and joint workshops held annually to set research priorities and explore new research opportunities.

“The partnership will expand across four key components: a dual PhD program, an Early Career Researcher Exchange program, a Senior Researcher Exchange program and annual symposia,” the report said.