The first funding period of SPP 2411 (LOOPS 1.0) established cortico-subcortical loops as a framework for studying adaptive sensing across mammalian species and sensory modalities. Research during LOOPS 1.0 demonstrated that sensory representations in cortical and subcortical circuits are dynamically shaped by behavioural context, internal state and experience. At the same time, LOOPS 1.0 identified several open questions, particularly regarding the mechanisms of plasticity in cortico-subcortical circuits, the role of these loops under naturalistic conditions, and the extent to which common circuit principles generalise across sensory systems.
The second funding period (LOOPS 2.0) will build on the results and questions gathered during the first funding phase and refine the focus of the programme accordingly. While the original thematic areas (context-dependency, prediction, attention and learning) will be maintained, LOOPS 2.0 will place stronger emphasis on the following aspects:
1.
Plasticity and circuit dynamics across timescales:
Projects are encouraged to investigate cortico-subcortical plasticity across multiple temporal scales, ranging from rapid modulation of neuronal responses occuring within milliseconds (for e.g. forward masking, gain modulation or stimulus-specific adaptation) to slower forms of plasticity that emerge across hours or days, such as changes in topographic maps or learning-related reorganisation of circuit function. Particular emphasis should be placed on understanding how fast and slow forms of plasticity interact within the same circuit.
2.
Naturalistic and behaviourally relevant processing:
LOOPS 2.0 will place stronger emphasis on studying cortico-subcortical circuits in the context of behaviours that are relevant for the ecology of the species under investigation. Projects should therefore include a clear statement explaining how the studied behaviour or task relates to the natural repertoire and ecological demands of the respective animal. Approaches investigating natural behaviours under natural or naturalistic conditions are particularly encouraged, although it is understood that not all recording and manipulation techniques can be implemented in such settings. Alternatively, projects may explain how classical laboratory paradigms were modified or adapted to better capture the natural behavioural strategies of the studied species.
3.
Direct comparisons across sensory systems:
Finally, LOOPS 2.0 encourages projects aiming at direct comparisons of cortico-subcortical circuit properties across sensory modalities. These comparisons may be performed within a single project or through coordinated tandem projects involving different groups. Importantly, projects aiming at such comparisons should explicitly describe how experimental procedures, behavioural paradigms, recording approaches and analytical pipelines will be standardised in order to generate directly comparable results across sensory modalities.
The following criteria are necessary for inclusion of projects in the selection process. Applying projects must:
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study or model the function of mammalian corticofugal connections with the goal of characterizing the impact of such input on subcortical sensory structures.
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measure or model neuronal activity on a microcircuit level in awake mammals.
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study or model the dynamics of cortico-subcortical loops according to one or more of the three themes suggested above (plasticit, natural/naturalistic sensroy processing, cross-sensory system comparisons), with particular emphasis on circuit dynamics. Projects that investigate the function of cortical-subcortical loops during multisensory processing are also welcome.
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simultaneously probe or model activity in two or more interacting cortico-subcortical structures, where at least one is a sensory structure.
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study or model circuit function through behavioural or neural activity manipulations, preferably under behavioural relevant or natural/naturalistic conditions.
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have a clear plan for sharing data, analysis software and models.
We additionally encourage proposals for projects that foster direct interactions between experimental research performed in different sensory systems and projects that promote close integration of experimental and theoretical/computational approaches.
We don't take proposals for projects into account that:
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are not focused on t cortico-subcortical interactions in sensory systems.
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aim at anatomical characterizations without functional measurements of brain activity.
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probe activity only from a single structure without sampling/manipulating a second brain area.
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focus on disease mechanisms or knock-out animals.
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focus cortico-subcortical circuits outside sensory/perceptual processing
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investigate behaviours or tasks that have little or no relevance for the natural behaviour repertoire or ecological demands of the studied species.
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have a purely theoretical focus without direct links to experimental data.
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work on non-mammalian model systems.
Please submit your proposals to the DFG by 3. February 2027.
For the official Call and further information on the application process, please refer to the DFG Website.
online roundtable on
13 October 2026 at 11 am
via Webex
To obtain the link, please contact the speaker Prof. Julio Hechavarria.