Prof. Tobias Hauser has been awarded a prestigious Consolidator Grant from the European Research Council (ERC). The highly competitive funding provides €2 million over five years to support his research project CoNbI-OCD (Computational Neuroscience-based Interventions for OCD). 

Only 349 out of 3,121 applications were approved in this funding round, highlighting the significance of this achievement and Hauser’s success in a highly competitive European selection process. 

Rethinking treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder

Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is among the most common mental illnesses and can severely affect daily life. However, existing therapies do not work equally well for all patients. Hauser’s project aims to fundamentally improve treatment by combining psychotherapy with advanced technologies such as brain imaging, computational models of cognition, and generative artificial intelligence. 

By integrating insights from neuroscience and AI, the project seeks to develop more effective and personalized therapies tailored to individual needs.

Translating research into practical care

A central element of CoNbI-OCD is close collaboration with people affected by OCD and mental health professionals. This ensures that new treatment approaches are not only scientifically robust but also practical, safe, and suitable for everyday use. 

The long-term goal is to better understand the neurobiological mechanisms behind obsessive thoughts and translate this knowledge into precise, individualized treatment strategies — an important step toward more effective mental health care.