European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)

and

Pfizer

European Programme for Research into Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
in Patients with Diabetes

Request for Applications

EFSD and Pfizer announce funding
of Research Grants in 2010

Deadline date: 10 March 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.

Pfizer is one of the world's leading healthcare companies, providing human and animal pharmaceuticals, as well as consumer products. As part of its commitment to the care of patents with diabetes, Pfizer is dedicated to supporting research that will help identify ways to reduce cardiovascular risk, further our understanding of optimal treatment options, and ultimately improve the lives of people with diabetes.

   Programme Research and Focus

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

The key objective of this research partnership is to understand better what best impacts cardiovascular risk reduction in patients with diabetes. Research proposals should aim to evaluate the impact of any aspect of the following on CV risk reduction in diabetes: 

• educational tools, programmes, strategies;

• risk assessment tools/screening and diagnostic procedures;

• clinical interventions. 

This list is not intended to be exhaustive and any research proposal will be considered for funding as long as it is evidently relevant to the key objective of the EFSD/Pfizer partnership.

   Funding

Research will be supported through the award of grants each in the amount of up to Euro 300,000. The duration of each award may be up to three years, depending upon the needs of the project and as justified in the application, so long as the total budget does not exceed the total amount of Euro 300,000.

   Mechanism of Support and Review

Applications for an EFSD/Pfizer European 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 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 Pfizer Board convened for this purpose. It is anticipated that applications will be received, reviewed and approved for funding by June 2010.

The Programme Board, on advisement from the Review Committee, may on occasion, and at its discretion, recommend an award in a different amount than requested and that it considers 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