The Blue Brain Research Project at EPFL is aiming to recreate the human brain, neuron for neuron. Researchers want to use this project to develop new therapies for nervous system diseases, as well as new computer technologies. The European Commission has invited the "Human Brain Project" – which is based on the Blue Brain Project – and five other projects to draw up a full proposal as an FET flagship project (FET11 Conference, Budapest, 6 May 2011).
The Blue Brain Project is one of three large research infrastructure projects contained in the ETH Board’s 2012–2016 strategic planning for the ETH Domain. The project was accepted by the State Secretariat for Education and Research (SER) into the Swiss roadmap for research infrastructures. Subsequently, the Swiss Federal Council took notice of this document.
In view of attributing priorities to research infrastructure projects when establishing the ERI dispatch 2013-2016, the ETH Board was instructed by the SER to conduct an international evaluation of the Blue Brain Project. At its meeting on 18/19 May 2011, the ETH Board took notice of the evaluation report of the international expert group, as well as the relative statement of EPFL. The SER has subsequently decided the publication of both documents by the ETH Board.
