Bernstein Node Marburg

Marburg has emerged as one of Germany’s most dynamic and interdisciplinary hubs for computational neuroscience. Over the past decade, researchers from physics, engineering, psychology, artificial intelligence, medicine, and neuroscience have built a closely connected community dedicated to understanding brain function, cognition, behavior, and mental health through quantitative and computational approaches.

This community is embedded in a rich landscape of large-scale, internationally visible research initiatives. Core pillars include several DFG Collaborative Research Centers and Excellence Programs, such as CRC/TRR 393 “Trajectories of Affective Disorders”, the Excellence Cluster EXC 3066 “The Adaptive Mind (TAM)”, and the LOEWE Center DYNAMIC. Together with the Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB), these initiatives integrate theoretical modeling, neuroimaging, neurophysiology, machine learning, and clinical research across more than 20 research groups.

The strength and sustainability of computational neuroscience in Marburg are reflected in its outstanding funding record. Since 2015 alone, these collaborative efforts have secured more than €90 million in competitive third-party funding, supporting long-term research programs, shared infrastructures, joint supervision of early-career researchers, and a dense network of seminars, retreats, and training activities. 

The Bernstein Node Marburg provides a dedicated organizational framework that connects and amplifies these existing initiatives. The Node aims to enhance scientific synergy across departments and career stages, coordinate methodological expertise and training in computational neuroscience, and strengthen the visibility of Marburg’s research within the national and international Bernstein Network.

Beyond local integration, the Node serves as a central interface for collaboration and exchange with other Bernstein Centers and Nodes, as well as with clinical partners, industry, and international collaborators. By embedding Marburg’s established research consortia within the Bernstein Network, the Bernstein Node Marburg actively contributes to the development, dissemination, and future direction of computational neuroscience.