From Fragmentation to Integration: How MICYRN Is Advancing International Pediatric Research Through PRISM

MICYRN is joining forces with leading European infrastructures including the European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network (ECRIN), the European Network of Living Labs (ENoLL), and the European School Heads Association (ESHA) to launch PRISM, a 9.9 Million Euros HORIZON EUROPE initiative.  

The Paediatric clinical Research Infrastructure Service Model (PRISM) project will aim to transform paediatric clinical research in Europe and Canada by creating a coordinated, transnational ecosystem of experienced infrastructures and service organisations. PRISM will deliver high-quality, innovative and sustainable clinical research support tailored for children and young people. The project, coordinated by ECRIN (European Clinical Research Infrastructure Network), brings together 23 key stakeholders from both Europe and Canada.

Funded by Horizon Europe, it will kick off in September with a first open call focusing on pragmatic multinational paediatric studies (details to come shortly). Further open calls are planned for the provision of virtual access to expertise in biostatistics, innovative trial designs and AI powered tools which benefit the paediatric research community.  

PRISM will provide a comprehensive suite of coordinated services for the design, planning and execution of paediatric clinical trials and observational studies, accessible across Europe and Canada. Supported and funded studies will be selected transparently based on scientific excellence and public health relevance.

The long-term ambition of PRISM is to empower academic sponsors, SMEs, and investigation networks by aligning research infrastructures, engaging stakeholders, and embracing novel digital and methodological solutions to overcome fragmentation, expand multinational cooperation and accelerate impactful research for child health. 

PRISM also represents a significant step forward in accessibility and innovation. For the first time, researchers will have access to coordinated, end-to-end support for multinational pediatric trials across Europe and Canada, including funding mechanisms for investigation budgets. The initiative embraces emerging models such as decentralized clinical trials, which can reduce the burden on children and families through remote data collection, fewer in-person visits, and home-based participation. 

By connecting infrastructures across nations, PRISM introduces a new model for pediatric clinical research, one that is coordinated, patient-centred, and globally integrated. With MICYRN at its core, Canada is helping to build the foundation for a more effective and inclusive future in pediatric research.