European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD)

and

sanofi-aventis

European Programme:
Macrovascular Complications and Blood Glucose Abnormalities

Request for Applications

EFSD and sanofi-aventis announce funding of
Research Grants in 2008

Deadline for Submission of Applications: 15 January 2008

   Background

The European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) was founded in Montecatini, Italy, in 1965. In 1999, the Association created the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD). 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 sanofi-aventis Group is the world's third largest pharmaceutical company, ranking number one in Europe. Backed by a world-class R&D organisation, sanofi-aventis is developing leading positions in seven major therapeutic areas. Their commitment to diabetes medicine has been longstanding since 1923 and the involvement of Hoechst, a legacy company of sanofi-aventis. Today sanofi-aventis produces several medicines to treat diabetes, including the number 1 selling insulin in the world. With a dedicated team of research scientists devoted to diabetes research, it is entirely appropriate that the company partners with EFSD to support further research in this field.

   Emphasis of Research Project

Applications to the Programme should address topics which are covered by the Programme's headline "Macrovascular Complications and Blood Glucose Abnormalities".
Applications from studies measuring parameters of blood glucose control, cardiac function, endothelial function, lipid metabolism or evaluating microvascular complications in patients with a chronic cardiovascular disease, or experiencing an acute cardiovascular event, before and after insulin treatment compared to other treatments, or comparing different insulin treatment regimens, will be specially considered. Studies focusing on pharmaco-epidemiology and patient care, e.g. evaluating the use of different treatment strategies in various countries and health care settings, will also receive special consideration.

   Funding

The Programme will fund up to four clinical research projects, each of up to Euro 300,000. According to the duration and timetable of the projects, funds will be made available annually. The continuance of funding will depend on recipients providing an annual progress report, which will be evaluated by EFSD. All budgets are to be prepared in Euro.

   Mechanism of Support and Review

Applications for an EFSD/sanofi-aventis 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 ad hoc committee. It is anticipated that applications will be received, reviewed and the successful projects approved for funding by April 2008.

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.

Application forms may be requested from: Foundation@easd.org

All applications must be prepared on the official forms and completed in strict accordance with the detailed instructions to be found on these forms. In particular, applicants are reminded that any pages in addition to the maximum of 10 allowed for the scientific section of the application will be deleted prior to review. Similarly, no applications using a font or line-spacing smaller than that defined in the instructions will be considered for review. Additional material (in the form of an appendix, attachment, reprints, etc.) is not receivable and will not be sent to reviewers.

Applications should be submitted by post no later than 15 January 2008 (date of receipt) to:

Dr. Viktor Jörgens
Executive Director
European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes
Rheindorfer Weg 3
40591 Düsseldorf
Germany

   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 and sanofi-aventis.

Review criteria are as follows:

• Significance: Is the study relevant to the 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?

• Relevance: A brief statement of the impact of the proposed study on diabetes research within the framework of the Programme's plan and objectives.

   Reporting Requirements

All investigators funded by this Programme are required to submit a scientific report at the end of the funding period. Investigators must provide EFSD with copies of papers accepted for publication, and must acknowledge the support of the Programme in all written material by use of the phrase: "This work was supported by an EFSD/sanofi-aventis research grant".

   Schedule