Interacting with NCAN

Interacting with NCAN

NCAN encourages other research and clinical groups to contact us about developing Collaborative or Service Projects, especially those from underfunded US states and communities.

Collaborative Projects

Collaborative Projects represent relationships between NCAN and other funded organizations in which novel technologies or other outcomes that could not be accomplished by either party alone are developed through push-pull interactions. The collaborative projects are selected and designed to accomplish three specific aims:

1. 1. To demonstrate the value of new adaptive neurotechnologies by showing that they can make significant new scientific contributions and/or can address important clinical problems.

2. 2. To guide the development and optimization of these new adaptive neurotechnologies by applying them to assessing important specific scientific and/or clinical purposes.

3. 3. To define the capabilities and limitations of these new adaptive neurotechnologies and the operations that can help to maximize the former and overcome the latter.

To initiate an inquiry into establishing a Collaborative Project with NCAN, please fill in an application form. We will review your application within two weeks and assign the appropriate NCAN staff. Typically, the next step is to meet to discuss the potential collaboration and how to proceed. Note that the collaborator agrees to acknowledge NCAN support (grant number EB018783) in relevant publications and presentations.

Service Projects

Service Projects transfer existing NCAN technologies to other funded groups under the guidance of NCAN personnel. Establishing a Service Project proceeds according to the following steps:

1. 1. The outside group submits the application form describing the project and the technology of interest.

2. 2. NCAN determines the type of support needed. The technology provided can range from NCAN’s off-the-shelf materials to modified versions to entirely new hardware or software. The amount of training in the use of our technologies and continuing support to be provided will depend on the needs and the goals of the applicant.

3. 3. The outside group is then invited to present to NCAN and receives a round of comments on which NCAN technology might assist them in achieving their goals.

4. 4. NCAN shares technology and provides training and ongoing support as needed.

5. 5. The applicant provides feedback on the performance of the shared technologies and how they should be modified and/or supplemented to enable others to use them with maximum reliability and efficacy.

The applicant agrees to acknowledges NCAN’s support (grant number EB018783) in relevant publications.

Service Projects represent a key intermediate step from the technology research and development to Collaborative Projects and wider training and dissemination of NCAN neurotechnologies.