On December 27, 2024, the Madrid Science Park Foundation celebrated the signing of the agreement between the Government of Spain, the Community of Madrid and the Autonomous University of Madrid for the creation of the consortium of the National Center for Neurotechnology (Spain Neurotech), a pioneering benchmark in Spain for the development of technological tools based on the foundations of the human brain. There are currently only five research centres in the world specialising in this discipline, so their creation will place Spain at the forefront of Europe in this field.
During the signing ceremony, the rector of the UAM and vice-president of the FPCM expressed her satisfaction with the signing of the agreement, which has been in the works for several years: “Today we finally give life to the European centre for the study of the brain and nervous system Spain Neurotech”.
Together with the rector, the agreement was signed by the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, and the Minister of Education, Science and Universities of the Community of Madrid, Emilio Viciana. The event was attended by authorities from the Government and the Community, as well as members of the UAM Government Team and the general director of the Madrid Science Park, Marta del Castillo Vázquez. The signing ceremony was also attended by the renowned neuroscientist from Columbia University, Rafael Yuste, as well as the professor emeritus of the UAM Exuperio Díez.
Spain Neurotech will have among its objectives to advance the understanding of the human brain; developing diagnostic methods and therapies for diseases of the nervous system; to foster an ecosystem of innovation and entrepreneurship and to attract talent and train new generations of leaders in Neurotechnology. The project will have a notable relevance in the development of ethical and legal rules necessary for the application of new technologies focused on people, incorporating society in scientific activities.
One of the areas in which this initiative will have the greatest impact will be health and the fight against certain clinical pathologies, such as chronic diseases in early stages, neurodevelopmental disorders including the autism spectrum, as well as Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, depression, sleep disorders, heart rhythm ailments or sequelae after acute and acquired brain damage.
The National Neurotechnology Centre will be installed in the Zenit Building, known as the Trimodular Building, on the Cantoblanco Campus of the UAM, together with reference centres in research and teaching, such as the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Centre (CBMSO), the Institute of Theoretical Physics, or the IMDEA Nanoscience and Food and the Science Park itself. The Zenit Building has 4,500 m2 of laboratory space and it is estimated that it will have about 400 researchers from different areas of knowledge. to favor the multidisciplinary approach.
The Government contributes 60% of the investment to this project (40 million euros from the funds of the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan immediately after the signing of the agreement and another 80 million between 2026 and 2037), the Community of Madrid 39% (78 million euros), and the UAM 1% (2 million euros).
