European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)

Clinical Research Grants in the Field of Diabetes

Request for Applications

EFSD announces funding
of Research Grants in 2012

Deadline date: 1 December 2012

   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.

   Programme Research and Focus

The EFSD Clinical Research Grants in the Field of Diabetes Programme will accept applications in the fields of type 1 or type 2 diabetes, covering all aspects of the disease, e.g. epidemiology/genetics of pre-diabetes, diabetes and its micro- and macrovascular complications, pathophysiology and clinical aspects including vascular physiology and obesity. The proposed investigation must be carried out in humans; although in vitro and ex vivo studies are acceptable, the in vivo component must clearly be the more relevant part of the project.

   Mechanism of Support and Review

Research will be supported through the award of grants of up to Euro 400,000. The duration of each award may be up to three years, depending upon the needs of the project and as justified in the application. The Programme Board at the suggestion of the Review Committee, may at its discretion recommend an award in a different amount from that requested, but which is considered more appropriate for the proposed studies.

Applications for an EFSD clinical research grant 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 their place of work.  

Applications will be subject to scientific review by a specialised ad hoc committee. It is anticipated that applications will be received, reviewed and approved for funding by March 2013.

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.

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?

  Reporting Requirements