European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)

and

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation

and

Novo Nordisk

European Programme in Type 1 Diabetes Research

Request for Applications

EFSD and JDRF and Novo Nordisk announce funding
of Research Grants in 2010

Deadline date: 25 November 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.

The mission of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is to find a cure for diabetes and its complications through the support of research. JDRF was founded in 1970 by parents of children with diabetes who were convinced that the disease could be cured. JDRF gives more money to diabetes research than any other non-profit, non-governmental health agency in the world.

 Novo Nordisk A/S  is a global healthcare company with 87 years of innovation and leadership in diabetes care. The company also has leading positions within other areas. Headquartered in Denmark, Novo Nordisk employs more than 29,300 employees in 76 countries, and markets its products in 179 countries

   Programme Research and Focus

EFSD, JDRF and Novo Nordisk established this ongoing partnership for research into type 1 diabetes to encourage new projects aimed at advancing current knowledge in this domain.

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

The specific goals of the Programme are to:

i.)     promote the highest quality of basic and clinical biomedical research in Europe and its associated countries applicable to type 1 diabetes;

ii.)    expedite the practical application of scientific advances in our understanding of the aetiology, pathogenesis, treatment and prevention of type 1 diabetes and its complications;

iii.)   encourage clinical translational research bridging the bench and the bedside;

iv.)  increase awareness of type 1 diabetes research throughout Europe.

To achieve its goals and objectives, the Programme is issuing a request for applications (RFA) for research grants. The EFSD/JDRF/Novo Nordisk European Programme in Type 1 Diabetes Research will accept applications within any area of basic or clinical diabetes research focusing on type 1 diabetes and its complications.

   Funding

In 2010 a total of up to Euro 750,000 for research funding is available. 

   Mechanism of Support and Review

Research will be supported through the award of grants. These will normally be in an amount of up to Euro 100,000 but the partnership is prepared to consider on a case-by-case basis special requests for amounts of up to Euro 400,000 in total. Any such requests need to be well justified and will only be granted if the project cannot be completed within the normal Euro 100,000 budget.

 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 duration of the award does not exceed three (3) years.

 Applications for an EFSD/JDRF/Novo Nordisk 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 normally employed 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 and independent ad hoc committee. Funding will require approval by a joint EFSD, JDRF and Novo Nordisk Board convened for this purpose. It is anticipated that applications will be received, reviewed and approved for funding by February 2011.

 The Programme Board, on advisement from the Review Committee, may on occasion and at its discretion recommend an award in a different amount from that requested, but which is considered more appropriate for the proposed studies.

 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