Network of Centres of Excellence in Neurodegeneration Research (COEN) - Call for Pathfinder Grants
Network of Centres of Excellence in Neurodegeneration (COEN) is an international initiative involving research funders in the UK (Medical Research Council), Canada (Canadian Institutes of Heath Research), Germany (DZNE), Belgium (Flanders, VIB), Ireland (Health Research Board / Science Foundation Ireland), Italy (Ministry of Health), Slovakia (Slovak Ministry of Education, Science, Research and Sport), and Spain (ISCIII).
The aim of the initiative is to encourage collaborative research between recognised national centres of excellence in neurodegeneration in order to accelerate progress in understanding the mechanisms of disease as well as the identification of new therapeutic approaches. The first phase of the initiative, in 2011, provided pilot funding for collaborative research spanning the development of new disease models, the identification of biomarkers and the harmonisation of methodologies for clinical studies.
The second phase of the initiative aims to further catalyse collaborative research to drive a step change in neurodegeneration research. The call for proposals will provide funds for “Pathfinder” grants for innovative approaches to better understand disease mechanisms and provide new avenues for therapeutic development, with the potential for “programme” level support to take forward successful Pathfinders.
To maximise the potential for innovation, the scientific remit for “Pathfinder” awards is broad in scope, and projects may include studies to provide a step change in our understanding of neurodegenerative mechanisms, or create technological advances to support novel diagnostic or therapeutic approaches. Connectivity with research in aligned modalities, such as inflammation, sensory neuroscience, vascular or mental health, is encouraged, as is outreach to experts in the fields of physical and computational science.
£5m will be available to fund collaborative awards through the call, with £1m available for UK-based research within successful bids.
Closing date for submissions is 4pm on Monday 4th March 2013 (GMT).
Further information can be found on the initiative website at www.coen.org
For enquires, please contact:
Dr Katherine Giles