GGI

Gabinete de Gestão de Investigação

Caros colegas,

Já começou uma nova temporada de preparação de candidaturas para o concurso promovido pela FCT para projetos de IC&DT em todos os domínios científicos. Com percentagens de aprovação tão baixas como as que assistimos na última Call, conseguir financiamento afigura-se cada vez mais uma tarefa hercúlea. O GGI está fortemente empenhado em ajudar os docentes e investigadores da FMUC que pretendam submeter propostas, esclarecendo as suas dúvidas e apoiando-os de diversas formas e a diferentes níveis. Contudo, todos sabemos que o papel principal é do investigador responsável, a quem cabe ter boas ideias, juntar uma equipa forte e escrever um projeto coerente e ambicioso. Superar o desânimo de resultados negativos num passado recente é o primeiro obstáculo a ultrapassar, sobretudo para os mais jovens. A partilha de experiências anteriores e de novas ideias e estratégias com outros colegas pode ser crucial para suplantar bloqueios e conseguir escrever um projeto mais competitivo. A este respeito, partilho dois artigos publicados na Nature com dicas de investigadores bem-sucedidos que fizeram o seu caminho de aprendizagem com os normais altos e baixos. Como quase tudo na vida, é bem provável que não faça sentido a euforia quando se consegue nem o desânimo quando se falha: 

“After the fall: what to do when your grant is rejected”

“Secrets to writing a winning grant” 

Como temos vindo a dizer: existe mais vida (financiamento) para além da FCT. Nesse sentido, destacamos nesta edição a participações do GGI em duas iniciativas, com o objetivo de melhorar o apoio que queremos dar aos colaboradores da FMUC interessados em concorrer a outras fontes de financiamento: no “Matchmaking event” do EIT Health e na formação “Masterclass Writing European Research Council (ERC) - Train the Trainers” promovida pela UC.

Votos de um mês produtivo, com excelentes ideias e dinâmicas de construção científica. 

Be FMUC! 

Flávio Reis
Coordenador do GGI 


Breves


Masterclass Writing ERC - Train the Trainers

O GGI participou na formação Masterclass Writing European Research Council (ERC), promovida pela equipa de Gestores das Áreas Estratégicas da UC no âmbito das “Formações iiiUC - Apoio a Gestores de Ciência”. Na sessão, composta por 3 webinares realizados nos dias 22 de janeiro e 5 de fevereiro, foram abordados os objetivos, a estrutura e os critérios de avaliação do ERC, bem como as melhores estratégias de apoio a esta tipologia de candidaturas.  

Matchmaking event do EIT Health

Decorreu entre os dias 2 e 5 de fevereiro o segundo matchmaking event promovido pelo EIT Health, com vista à procura de parceiros para projetos que se encontrem em preparação para o Business Plan 2022. O GGI participou em várias reuniões com parceiros da rede EIT Health, na procura de novos projetos e parcerias para este ou outros programas de financiamento. O GGI encontra-se a apoiar 11 projetos da Faculdade de Medicina, 5 no pilar Education e 6 no pilar Innovation. A data limite para a submissão das candidaturas é 24 de março. 








Sessões de esclarecimento sobre concurso da FCT para projetos em todos os domínios científicos 

Decorreram nos passados dias 4 e 5 de fevereiro sessões organizadas e promovidas pelo GGI sobre o concurso da FCT para projetos em todos os domínios científicos. Com esta iniciativa, que contou com uma grande adesão dos colaboradores da FMUC, o GGI pretendeu ajudar a simplificar o processo de candidatura, abordando as alterações introduzidas pela FCT em relação a concursos anteriores, o formulário, as tipologias dos projetos, os critérios de elegibilidade e de avaliação, bem como aspetos relacionados com o orçamento, entre outros.

Como apoio adicional já arrancaram as sessões abertas, que vão decorrer todas as segundas feiras das 14 às 15h, até à data limite para apresentação de candidaturas a este concurso. Estas sessões visam o esclarecimento de dúvidas e o apoio em outros temas que os investigadores achem pertinentes no âmbito da sua candidatura.

OPORTUNIDADES DE FINANCIAMENTO FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Deadline for submission of a Letter of Intent: 8th March

1. 
Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation | 
Neuroendocrine Research Grant Types

NETRF offers four different neuroendocrine cancer research grants (Accelerator, Investigator, Pilot and Mentored Awards) with cancer research grants ranging from $100,000 to $1.2 million.

Some areas of interest include but not limited to:
• Application of existing or new technologies to target NETs
• New/optimized experimental models
• Cancer metabolism
• Deciphering the molecular underpinnings of NETs
• Diagnostics
• Clinical Research
• Cell invasion and metastasis
• Immune microenvironment
• Nuclear medicine, theranostics, imaging.

Further information available at:
https://netrf.org/for-researchers/funding-for-researchers/

Deadline: 10th March

2. 
Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) | 
Projetos de IC&DT em todos os domínios científicos 

In this call there are two types of grants:
• Scientific Research and technological development projects – either individual or in consortium they should focus in relevant and innovative scientific questions which contribute in a significant way for the advance of scientific knowledge. Imply scientific production throughout the project. Maximum duration – 36 months with a budget up to 250.000€.
• Exploratory projects (PeX) – for projects focusing on scientific or technological research exploring novel/original ideas or concepts with innovation potential. Eligible only for individual applications, projects must have a maximum duration of 18 months with a budget up to 50.000€.

There are several alterations in this call regarding the eligibility of the PI and Co-PI so we strongly advise the careful analysis of the opening notice for this call.

Further information available at:
https://www.fct.pt/apoios/projectos/concursos/ICDT/index.phtml.en

Deadline to connect to the HFSP extranet site: 18th March 
Deadline for submission of a Letter of Intent: 30th March

3. 
Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) | 
HFSP Research Grant Program

The Human Frontier Science Program (HFSP) strives to strengthen open scientific inquiry by initiating international collaborative, interdisciplinary and cutting-edge basic research in the life sciences.
Research topics may include biological functions at all levels of analysis: for example, studies on genes and individual molecules, intracellular networks, intercellular associations in tissues and organs, and networks underlying the complex functions of entire organisms, populations, or ecosystems.

Two types of award:
Research Grants – Program (RG-Program)
Research Grants – Early Career (RG-Early Career)

Further information available at:
https://www.hfsp.org/funding/hfsp-funding/research-grants

Accepts applications on a rolling basis/next cut-off for applications: 22nd March

4. 
La Caixa Foundation | Caixa Impulse Consolidate

Projects must be related to the areas of Life, Medical and Health Sciences and must be mature in their Technology Readiness Level (TRL 4+), having performed significant valorisation activities and a defined Commercialisation Strategy.
Up to €300,000 and personalised guidance with access to our network of experts and mentors. Must have proven experience in other Acceleration Programme. Beneficiaries must be non-profit legal entities based in Spain or Portugal. The Project Leader may be involved in more than one application per call, but may not be Project Leader in more than one.

Further information available at:
https://caixaimpulse.com/programme?program_id=PROGRAMME&program_section=CALL

Deadline: 31st March

5. 
CHEST Foundation | Research Grants
in Pulmonary Fibrosis 
and Cystic Fibrosis

Within the framework of the CHEST Foundation, funding is available for:
- Research Grant in Pulmonary Fibrosis: research projects that contribute to the effective treatment, management, or cure for pulmonary fibrosis.
- Research Grant in Cystic Fibrosis Request for Proposals, funding is available for research projects that address the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management, and/or treatment of cystic fibrosis (CF).
Higher-level translational research project are preferred, and basic (cellular or animal) research projects will not be considered. Eligible applicants are licensed physicians who are CHEST members at the time of application. Physicians-in-training (residents or fellows), other health-care professionals, or clinical researchers with relevant experience will also be accepted. Non-profit organizations and institutions are eligible to apply. The grant has a value of $30,000 for one year. Only direct costs will be allowed.

Further information available at:
https://www.chestnet.org/Get-Involved/Grant-Information/Apply-for-Grants

Deadline for submission of a Letter of Intent: 9th April

6. 
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF)
& Pfizer | PCF - Pfizer Health Equity Challenge Awards


The intent of this Request for Proposal is to support general research projects that will improve the understanding of or reduce disparities in the diagnosis, management and outcomes of prostate cancer patients in minority and underserved communities.
General Research proposals in the following topic areas are of particular interest:
• Identification of barriers in the delivery of equitable healthcare
• Health Services research programs to study and optimize care delivery.

Further information available at:
https://pfe-pfizercom-d8-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/2021-02/GMG_2021-Oncology-G_PCF-PfizerHealthEquityChallengeAwards.pdf?qtsGoIlXRCBA0eAJLsWvR2eU1grK9dLM

Deadline for submission of an Expression
of interest: 22nd April 

7. 
Cancer Research UK and National Cancer Institute in the US | Cancer Research UK Grand Challenge Awards

This international scheme aims to catalyse a revolution in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer, with awards of up to £20m available for innovative, game-changing research aligned with nine Grand Challenges.
Funding is available to interdisciplinary teams with novel, exciting ways of solving one of the Grand Challenges, which together encompass some of the most important unanswered questions in cancer research. For the current call, the following nine topics of interest are:

Challenge 1: Cachexia and performance status
Challenge 2: Dormancy
Challenge 3: E-cigarettes
Challenge 4: Extrachromosomal DNA
Challenge 5: Inflammation
Challenge 6: Macromolecules
Challenge 7: Normal Phenotypes
Challenge 8: Senescence
Challenge 9: Solid tumours in children.

Further information available at:
https://cancergrandchallenges.org/challenges

Deadline: 22nd April

8. 
European Commission under the Justice Program | JUST-2020-AG-DRUGS

The Project applications submitted under the present call for proposals must address at least one of the following priorities:
- To support activities in the area of epidemiology of use of new psychoactive substances, including potent synthetic opioids, as well as emerging drug problems (notably on challenges related to cocaine and heroin use) and technological developments, including online trade of drugs;
- To support the civil society organisations by reinforcing their (i) advocacy function, (ii) capacity to make a difference at the local level, (iii) best practice sharing methods;
- To support key stakeholders by expanding their knowledge and skills in the context of implementing minimum quality standards in drug demand reduction (also on development of tools which would allow to measure possible improvements), particularly in the area of social integration and vulnerable groups;
- To promote practical application of drug-related research, and, in particular, addiction research with a view of addressing current challenges and new threats.

Further information available at:
https://ec.europa.eu/home-affairs/content/call-proposals-just-2020-ag-drugs_en

Deadline:  14th May

9. 
Fundação Amélia de Mello & COTEC Portugal 
Bolsa de Investigação em Inovação Tecnológica, Mobilidade e Indústria | Prémios Alfredo da Silva

To celebrate the 150 years of birth of Alfredo Silva an illustrious man from industry, the Amélia de Mello Foundation and COTEC Portugal will support research projects focusing on Technological Innovation, Mobility and Industry up to 25 000€.

Further information available at:
https://cotecportugal.pt/pt/projects/bolsa-de-investigacao-em-inovacao-tecnologica-mobilidade-e-industria-premios-alfredo-da-silva/

Deadline: 21st May 

10. 
AAL | Advancing Inclusive Health & Care Solutions For Ageing Well In The New Decade

The aim of the Call is to support innovative, transnational and multi-disciplinary collaborative projects.
The Call 2021 would like to stress three elements, namely an inclusive health & care approach (health prevention, preservation of physical & mental health, social participation), the stimulation and upscaling of innovation in active & healthy ageing through health & care eco-systems and the accessibility of digital solutions to end users, e.g through education for greater e-literacy.
Collaborative projects - carried out by consortia composed of at least 3 organizations from 3 different countries including an end user organization and a business partner will remain the main funding tool for this call. This type of projects has a duration of 12 to 30 months with a maximum funding of €2.500.000.
Small Collaborative projects - have a duration of 6 to 9 months, the same central eligibility criteria as the Collaborative projects, a maximum co-funding budget of €300.000 and leaner application and reporting procedures.

Further information available at:
http://www.aal-europe.eu/call-2021/

Deadline for submission of a Letter of Intent: 28th May

11. 
Alzheimer's Drug Discovery Foundation | 
Four Core Funding Programs

The ADDF provides funding to academic centers and biotechs from around the world that are advancing therapeutic and biomarker development for Alzheimer's and related dementias. The funding is dedicated to several key areas:
• Translational research to develop new drugs and build preclinical evidence
• IND-enabling studies and early-stage clinical trials for novel and repurposed drugs
• Development and validation of plasma, CSF, neuroimaging and digital biomarkers
• Epidemiological studies and comparative effectiveness research
The Four Core Funding Programs are:
• Drug Development RFP
• Program to Accelerate Clinical Trials (PACT) RFP
• Neuroimaging and CSF Biomarker Development RFP
• Prevention Pipeline RFP.

Further information available at:
https://www.alzdiscovery.org/research-and-grants/funding-opportunities

Deadline: 31st May

12. 
BIAL Foundation and Portuguese Medical Association |  
Maria de Sousa Award

This award (up to €25.000) aims to reward and support young Portuguese scientific researchers, up to 35 years old, for Health Sciences topic research projects. An internship at an international center of excellence is included.

Further information available at:
https://www.bial.com/com/bial-foundation/awards/premio-maria-de-sousa/