The total grant for DESTINIES (Disclosing thE highly Sensitive brain Through Interdisciplinary training in NeuroscIEnce and neuropSychology) amounts to approximately 4.2 million Euros. Of this, around 1.2 million Euros will go directly to Nijmegen. Through joint PhD programmes and co-supervision, Nijmegen-based researchers also benefit indirectly from the expertise and research carried out by the other European partners.
Training a new generation for research into high sensitivity
A key objective of this Doctoral Network is to train eleven PhD candidates within a European consortium of nine partners from seven countries. The programme focuses not only on academic development but, above all, on intensive training. The PhD candidates receive training in specialised research techniques, as well as in communication, stress management, ethics, open science and collaboration with societal and industrial partners.
The PhD candidates collaborate on joint doctorates: they are supervised by supervisors at least two institutions in different countries. “That international cross-pollination is one of the greatest strengths of this type of grant,” says Homberg. “We will train researchers who look beyond their own discipline or institution.” DESTINIES focuses on one overarching question: how does the highly sensitive brain develop and function, and how can we better prevent stress-related symptoms?
From plasticity to intervention
The DESTINIES research programme is structured around four work packages:
- In work package 1 (Plasticity across development), researchers investigate how environmental sensitivity arises mechanistically in the brain and how neuroplasticity develops across the lifespan.
- Work package 2 (Stimulus processing mechanisms) focuses on how the highly sensitive brain perceives the world: how stimuli are filtered, interpreted and linked to expectations.
- In WP3 (Response to micro-environment), the focus shifts to everyday life, with research into how highly sensitive individuals respond to everyday environmental stimuli.
- The fourth work package (Interventions for overstimulation) is highly application-oriented and focuses on developing and testing interventions that counteract overstimulation and can help to prevent or treat stress and burnout symptoms.
By combining these work packages, the consortium not only generates fundamental knowledge but also contributes to broader societal acceptance of environmental sensitivity as a biological trait.
Job vacancies to follow
Recruitment of PhD candidates is expected to begin in 2027. Vacancies will be published via EURAXESS, the DESTINIES website (under development), LinkedIn and the Radboudumc careers page. Interested parties are advised to keep an eye on these channels in the coming period.
