ERA-NET NEURON, a European funder of neurological research, would like to increase the involvement of people affected by neurological disorders in its activities.

Specifically, in 2021, they are seeking lay reviewers to help assess funding applications for its latest call which covers neurodevelopmental disorders.

In order to fund the best quality scientific research, all research applications go through a rigorous review process. Lay reviewers play a really important role in this process.

We need your help to review scientists’ applications for new research projects that involve people with neurological disorders. We must make sure that they take into account the needs and experiences of those affected.

Don’t worry, you don’t need to be an expert on research, or have any scientific knowledge! Your role will be in assessing the patient relevant information only and recording your views on whether the proposed research project meets the needs of the patient community, as well as making recommendations on how this could be improved! All lay reviewers will be paid for their time.

Lay reviewers will also be offered training in advance and, this year, EFNA and ERA-NET NEURON are creating a two-day virtual educational workshop to prepare anyone interested in becoming a lay reviewer for this latest funding call on neurodevelopmental disorders. We will make sure that you have all the information and skills needed to get involved.

This virtual event will take place on Tuesday 20th and Wednesday 21st April 2021 and will include a mix of pre-event preparation and reading, plenary lectures, practical breakout sessions, group discussions and – even – some ‘homework’.

An early draft agenda of the training workshop and a participant profile are available, which include more information on who should get involved as a lay reviewer, the review process and the benefits to you! Click here to download both files.

As you’ll see, reviewers can be those with lived experience, their family/caregivers or representatives from patient organisations.

So, if you are interested in working with ERA-NET NEURON as a lay reviewer to help decide which research they should fund, and you would like to participate in this training, you can register today at this link:
https://forms.gle/x7b8DcAkDWEua4N88

Registration is open until Wednesday, April 7th. 

If you have colleagues/contacts who you feel might wish to get involved, then do also forward this information throughout your networks.