The European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes (EFSD) and Merck Sharp Dohme (MSD) have established a European Research Programme for preclinical/translational research on novel therapies to encourage the identification of new targets for the treatment of type 2 diabetes.

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

Elegibility: Applications for an EFSD/Sanofi 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.

Research areas: Proposals may include but are not limited to:

- Mechanisms to induce “browning of adipose tissue”

- Novel targets for improving skeletal muscle or adipose tissue insulin resistance

- Bile acid biology as it relates to metabolic disease. This includes actions relating to glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, energy balance and related diseases including diabetes, atherosclerosis and obesity

- Lipid metabolism as it relates to insulin action

- Mechanisms of glucose-dependent insulin and glucagon secretion

Review criteria are as follows:

a. 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?

b. Approach: Are the conceptual framework, design, methods and analyses adequately developed, well integrated, and appropriate to the aims of the project?  Are they supported by preliminary data? Does the applicant acknowledge potential problem areas and consider alternative tactics?

c. 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?

d. 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?

e. 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?

f. Budget: Is the requested budget appropriate for the proposed study?

Amount and duration: Research will be supported through the award of grants, each of up to 100,000 €, payable in the first year and in one instalment. The duration of each award may be 1 year or longer, depending upon the needs of the project and as justified in the application.

Internal deadline (VHIR) for applications: 07 March 2014

Official deadline: 15 March 2014

Anticipated award: June 2014

More information: HERE