European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)

and

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc

Paul Langerhans Grant on Interaction between the Brain, Gut, Liver and Periphery and its Importance in Diabetes

Request for Applications

EFSD and Amylin announce funding of Research Grants in 2010

Deadline date: 20 April 2010

   Background

The European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) was created by the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) to provide multiple funding initiatives in all areas of diabetes research. The aims of EFSD are to encourage and support research in the field of diabetes, to rapidly diffuse acquired knowledge and to facilitate its application.

Amylin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. was founded in 1987 on the discovery of a hormone, amylin, that is produced with insulin by beta cells. Built on a strong foundation of research, Amylin challenges conventional thinking to create innovative approaches to the discovery, development and commercialisation of novel therapies for metabolic diseases.

This grant honours the memory of Paul Langerhans, who discovered the islet cells of the pancreas.

   Programme Research and Focus

Growing evidence supports the notion that the gastrointestinal tract plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes.  While incretin-based therapies are proving to be an effective pharmacological intervention to diabetes and other dysglycaemic states, bariatric surgery – which alters the passage and/or absorption of nutrients – has been shown to be extraordinarily efficacious in diabetes associated with morbid obesity. 

To achieve the goals and objectives of this Programme, EFSD and Amylin invite applications by issuing this "Request for Applications" (RFA), which indicates joint funding as well as areas of research emphasis.

The Programme invites applications from non-profit organisations for research projects in this area.  In particular, proposals dealing with the following are especially, but not exclusively, welcome:

 ·         Physiology of release and action of gut hormones including glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypetide (GIP); islet hormones including amylin and glucagon; localisation and expression of GLP-1, GIP, amylin and glucagon receptors and their regulation;

·         Impact of hyperglycaemia on expression, release and action of gastrointestinal and pancreatic hormones;

·         Cross-talk between gut, brain and islet signals;

·         Neural regulation of the gut and islet and the role of central neurohormonal signalling in diabetes and obesity;

·         Changes in entero-insular interaction induced by bariatric surgery;

·         Neurohormonal regulation of weight loss, including gut, pancreatic and adipocyte-derived hormones.

 Both in vitro and in vivo studies – in animal models as well as humans – will be considered.

   Funding

In 2010 grants will be available of up to Euro 100,000 for basic research and up to Euro 300,000 for clinical research.

   Mechanism of Support and Review

Basic research will be supported through the award of a grant of up to Euro 100,000. The duration of each award may be one year or longer, depending upon the needs of the project and as justified in the application, so long as the total budget does not exceed Euro 100,000.  Clinical research will be supported through the award of a grant of up to Euro 100,000 annually for a period of up to 3 years.  The total award may not exceed Euro 300,000. For both types of award, the Programme Board, at the suggestion of the Review Committee, may at its discretion recommend an award in a different amount than requested and considered more appropriate for the proposed studies. Applications for an EFSD/Amylin Paul Langerhans grant award are invited from single non-profit institutions or groups of such institutions from Europe and associated countries. The principal investigator and any co-investigators must be employed full-time at a non-profit institution and the study must be performed at such a place of work.   

 Applications will be subject to scientific review by a specialised ad hoc committee. Funding will require approval by a joint EFSD and Amylin Board convened for this purpose. It is anticipated that applications will be received, reviewed and approved for funding by July 2010. Prior to any final decision on funding, and in order to offer applicants the opportunity to benefit from the review process, EFSD reserves the right to request revision to applications in accordance with the recommendations of the Review Committee.

   Research Grant Applications

   Review Considerations

Completed applications will be evaluated in accordance with the criteria stated below for scientific/technical merit by an appropriate scientific committee convened by EFSD.

Review criteria are as follows:

• Significance: Does the study address an important problem in keeping with the goals and focus areas of this Programme? If the aims of the application are achieved, how will scientific knowledge be advanced? What will be the effect of the proposed studies on the concepts or methods that drive this field?
• Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics?
• Innovation: Does the project employ novel concepts, approaches or methods? Are the aims original and innovative? Does the project challenge existing paradigms or develop new methodologies or technologies?
• Investigator: Is the investigator appropriately trained and well suited to carry out this work? Is the work proposed appropriate to the experience level of the principal investigator and other researchers, if any?
• Environment: Does the scientific environment in which the work will be done contribute to the probability of success? Do the proposed experiments take advantage of unique features of the scientific environment or employ useful collaborative arrangements? Is there evidence of institutional support?
• Budget: Is the requested budget appropriate for the proposed study?

   Competitive Renewal