Novartis Awards in Diabetes--Long-standing AchievementWho is eligible? All candidates must be licensed physicians. They must be nominated and seconded by a peer. There is no age limit for the Long-Standing Achievement Prize. Posthumous nominations will not be considered. Who is eligible? All who meet the above criteria, with the exception of close current associates of any member of the Novartis Prize in Diabetes Panel. The nomination process The nominating peer should provide the materials listed below, typed in English: Candidate’s curriculum vitae (up to 6 pages) and bibliography (up to 50 original papers) Letter of nomination (up to 2 pages) outlining the reasons for choosing the recommended candidate Letters of support (up to 3, each up to 2 pages), one of which is provided by an institution unconnected with the nominee Date of birth Passport size photo x1 Novartis will not send back but archive the nomination packages which are not complying with requirements (e.g., CVs including more than 50 publications) Nominations should be e-mailed by March 15, 2009, to: Yu Hong Adeline Yao Prize Coordinator Phone: +41 61 324 7026 adeline.yao@novartis.com
Cash prize: $25,000
Novartis Awards in Diabetes--Young Investigator Who is eligible? All candidates must be licensed physicians. They must be nominated and seconded by a peer. The Young Investigator Prize candidate must be 45 years of age or younger on June 1, 2009. Posthumous nominations will not be considered. Who is eligible? All who meet the above criteria, with the exception of close current associates of any member of the Panel of the Novartis Prize in Diabetes. The nomination process The nominating peer should provide the materials listed below, typed in English: Candidate’s curriculum vitae (up to 6 pages) and bibliography (up to 50 original papers) Letter of nomination (up to 2 pages) outlining the reasons for choosing the recommended candidate Letters of support (up to 3, each up to 2 pages), one of which is provided by an institution unconnected with the nominee Date of birth Passport size photo x1 Novartis will not send back but archive the nomination packages which are not complying with requirements (e.g., CVs including more than 50 publications) Nominations should be e-mailed by March 15, 2009, to: Yu Hong Adeline Yao Prize Coordinator Phone: +41 61 324 7026 adeline.yao@novartis.com
JDRF requests expressions of interest for collaborative tissue engineering and biomaterials projects to improve beta cell replacement
Background and Purpose of Request:
One of JDRF’s therapeutic goals is to restore beta cell function in type 1 diabetes by replacement/transplantation of beta cells. Pancreatic islet transplantation has been efficacious in select patients in improving metabolic control and quality of life, and in preventing severe hypoglycemia in patients with “brittle” or difficult to control type 1 diabetes (T1D). Despite improvements in cadaveric pancreas procurement, islet isolation, and islet purification, major scientific and technical challenges remain that must be addressed before beta cell replacement will be widely incorporated into the clinical management in established type 1 diabetes; examples include the insufficient human islet supply, an alternative transplantation site, and islet sensitivity to certain immunosuppressives. JDRF’s role is to enable the scientific community to address these challenges with the ultimate goal of developing safe and effective transplantation approaches available to large numbers of individuals with type 1 diabetes. Currently the field of islet transplantation is challenged by islet graft failures over time and the lack of a replenishable human cell source. Recent meeting reports on encapsulated porcine and human islets transplanted into non-human primates or patients continue to indicate that encapsulation may be a promising approach to provide long-term islet protection from the immune system. Early reports on attempts at producing beta cells from stem cells suggest the viability of the concept “bottled beta cells off the shelf.” It is thought that the field will benefit from the involvement of bioengineers by applying quantitative and rational engineering principles to improving aspects of beta cell replacement therapy, such as immunoisolation and higher efficiency at deriving beta cells from stem cells.
Specific Goals of Request:
JDRF is soliciting expressions of interest (EOIs) to encourage collaborations among bioengineers, chemists, immunologists, stem cell biologists, transplant researchers, and pancreatic islet biologists to incorporate engineering concepts and designs into current efforts toward improving beta cell replacement as a therapy for type 1 diabetes. Expressions of interest are sought from applicants interested in using the engineering principles to improve: Goal 1: Strategies to enhance long-term transplanted islet survival and function; Goal 2: Approaches to augment the differentiation of stem/progenitor cells towards physiologically-responsive insulin-producing cells and long-term maintenance and/or expansion of those cells in vitro To achieve this, JDRF is soliciting EOIs for proposals addressing aspects of the following: Goal 1: Advances are needed in the development of novel engineered materials, devices, and/or culture systems that promote cell and graft survival, both in vivo and in vitro. Examples of pertinent topics include (not intended to be exclusive or all-encompassing): o Novel encapsulation and immunoisolation technology that can protect pancreatic islets/beta cells from immune attack with proof of concept tested in an in vivo animal model Novel biocompatible materials and encapsulation methods for uniform micro- or macro-encapsulation of islets/beta cells to provide immunoisolation Designs must address mass transfer issues for appropriate beta cell survival and function o Novel biomaterials or scaffold designs that may Achieve innate and/or adaptive immunological isolation/ignorance for engineered devices; Enhance islet engraftment, survival, function, and vascularization; Meanwhile remain conducive to mass transfer of nutrients, oxygen, and other biological products necessary for islet survival and proper blood glucose regulation Goal 2: To evaluate the development of alternative beta cell source for transplantation, bioengineered devices or culture systems, novel biomaterials and culture designs (examples include co-culturing, three-dimensional cultures, and perfusion systems) are needed to provide mechanical support as well as physical, chemical, and biomechanical cues in forming functional human beta cells or pancreatic islets. Examples of pertinent topics include (not intended to be exclusive or all-encompassing): o Promoting human stem/progenitor cell differentiation toward a physiologically-responsive insulin-producing cell o Development of strategies to promote vascularization and/or innervation within engineered tissue o Long-term maintenance of physiological beta cell phenotypes in an in vitro culture system Any novel material or device should address potential clinical utility, such as safety and manufacturing issues Proposals using novel biomaterials for the purpose of encapsulating islets/beta cells must indicate significant advance of the new materials/technology over reported encapsulation results to date Expression of Interest should adhere to instructions printed in the template. It should include, where applicable, the following information: Name, title, institution, and contact information of principal investigator, co-investigator and / or key collaborator Designation of team members with necessary bioengineering/material science/stem cell biology/beta cell biology/immunology/transplant expertise o Collaboration between Group 1: bioengineering/material science/chemistry and Group 2: stem cell biology/beta cell biology/immunology/transplant expertise is required Specify whether the proposal addresses Goal 1 or Goal 2 Brief details of approach proposed, including rationale and references to published or preliminary data (preliminary data need not be presented in detail) Short and long-term development goals set forth as milestones, as well deliverables Biosketch for each PI and co-PI Total estimated budget and project duration (up to 3 years) Recommendation on funding level Collaborative projects involving one PI in Group 1 and one PI in Group 2 may request up to total $350,000 per year, up to three years. Innovative approaches and novel material development projects without significant preliminary data may request up to total $150,000 per year for one year. Applicants should discuss with JDRF Program Staff when proposing multi-group projects with higher budget figures. Indirect costs may not exceed 10% of the direct costs. Key Dates Expression of Interest should be submitted no later than Janurary 12th, 2009 at 11.59 p.m. EST on proposalCENTRAL (https://proposalCentral.altum.com/login.asp).
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International 120 Wall Street New York, NY 10005-4001 Phone:(800) 533-CURE (2873) Fax: (212) 785-9595 E-mail: info@jdrf.org
JDRF Scholar Award Request for Applications Application Deadline Date: December 1, 2008 In an effort to expedite the progress toward a cure for type 1 diabetes, the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) offers a Scholar Award. This award provides sustained support for pioneering basic or clinical research aimed at fulfilling the goals of JDRF—finding a cure for type 1 diabetes or its complications. The Scholar Award is designed to support individual scientists of exceptional creativity who propose pioneering research to reach these goals. The Scholar Award, which is JDRF’s most prestigious award, will fund investigators with extraordinary talent and vision, who are willing to take risks and attempt new approaches to accelerate type 1 diabetes research. The Scholar Award is meant to support outstanding investigators who intend to pursue new research directions that are not funded from other sources. The awards are not meant simply to expand the funding of persons already well supported for exploring this concept. Each Scholar Award provides up to USD 250,000 annually, including indirect costs, for up to five years. A list of current JDRF Scholar Awards can be found at www.jdrf.org/scholarawards.
BACKGROUND To fulfill its mission, JDRF depends critically on the creativity and excellence of individual scientists. In order to explore and develop the full potential of novel paradigms, the foundation will select a handful of scholars to operate without the restraints that are put on other forms of funding. JDRF thus seeks to support scientists, whose ideas have the potential for high impact, but may be too novel, span too diverse a range of disciplines, or be at a stage too early to succeed in the traditional peer review process. The Scholar Award is intended to encourage highly creative biomedical and clinical scientists to devote a major part of their career to seminal research in type 1 diabetes. The awards are not meant to support specific, fully defined research projects but rather to support original research directions and provide support to exceptionally creative scientists to pursue innovative approaches.
ELIGIBILITY The JDRF Scholar Award is intended for researchers who hold an academic degree (D.M.D., D.O., D.V.M., M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent) in a scientific discipline and who also hold an independent investigator position at a university, health-science center, or comparable institution. The candidate will typically have at least ten years of relevant experience since receiving his/her degree. Prior research investigation in the field of type 1 diabetes is not mandatory. Scholar Award research may be conducted in any nation, within for-profit or non-profit, public or private organizations, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, units of state and local governments, or eligible agencies of federal governments. No citizenship requirements apply to the JDRF Scholar Award. Racial/ethnic minority individuals, women and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply as principal investigators. If selected, investigators must show evidence of institutional infrastructure support. INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION Applications Full applications must be submitted through proposalCENTRAL: http://proposalcentral.altum.com/default.asp?GMID=16 Full on-line applications must be submitted no later than 11.59 p.m. ET on December 1st, 2008.
Beta Cell Stem Cells as Targets for Regenerative Therapies
JDRF Requests Expressions of Interest for proposals to identify and characterize adult beta cell stem or progenitor cells as targets for regenerative therapies for the treatment of type 1 diabetes
Identifying the cells that can give rise to new beta cells in the adult pancreas is a critical step in the rational design of therapeutic strategies to regenerate beta cell mass in patients with type 1 diabetes. Despite mounting evidence supporting beta cell replication as the primary means for maintenance and expansion of beta cell mass, the origin of regenerated beta cells is not fully resolved. Recent evidence demonstrating the ability of beta cells to arise from a Ngn3 positive precursor cell in a model of pancreatic injury has re-invigorated interest in identifying an adult beta cell stem or progenitor cell.
The purpose of this call for Expressions of Interest is to invite proposals to identify and characterize the beta cell stem/progenitor cell as well as the pathways and cellular processes that regulate its physiologic expansion and differentiation to give rise to functional, mature beta cells.
Examples of pertinent topics include, but are not limited to: - application of lineage tracing techniques to identify the exact stem/progenitor cell responsible for beta cell neogenesis - isolation and characterization of stem/progenitor cells giving rise to functional beta cells in relevant animal models - investigation and development of novel markers to support isolation and characterization of the progenitor/stem cell in the adult animal - isolation and characterization of human stem/progenitor cells capable of regenerating functional beta cells in an animal model - elucidation of pathways and factors regulating physiologic progenitor cell differentiation and expansion - proof-of-concept studies using pharmacologic or genetic means to promote neogenesis and restore glucose-responsive insulin secretion and beta cell mass in an animal model of diabetes Collaborative efforts engaging investigators with complementary expertise are highly encouraged. This call is not intended to support: - studies of embryonic beta cell development - efforts to differentiate embryonic stem cells towards the beta cell fate in vitro or in vivo - trans-differentiation or re-programming of non-beta cells or non-beta cell precursors toward a beta cell fate - differentiation or expansion of beta cells in vitro or ex vivo for transplantation or cell replacement therapy
Eligibility Applicants must hold an M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M., Ph.D., or equivalent academic degree and hold a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or comparable institution. Applications may be submitted by domestic or foreign non-profit organizations, public or private, such as colleges, universities, hospitals, laboratories, units of state or local governments, eligible agencies of the federal government, or for-profit organizations. There are no citizenship requirements.
Key Dates Expressions of Interest should be submitted no later than November 24, 2008 at 11:59 p.m. EST on proposal Central (https://proposalCentral.altum.com/login.asp).
Targeting Beta Cell Survival in the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation InternationalRequests Letters of Intent for proposals to discover beta cell selective drug targets and pathways to promote beta cell survival for the treatment of type 1 diabetes
Type I diabetes (IDDM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of the insulinproducing beta cells of the islet. Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is recognized as the major mechanism, which participates in the destruction of pancreatic beta cells. Pharmacologic agents that would safely block apoptosis of beta cells and promote beta cell survival may have clinical utility in terms of preserving and maintaining functional beta cell mass in early onset type 1 diabetics, in protecting vulnerable, newly formed or regnerated beta cells from destruction, and in the maintenance of functional beta cell mass following transplantation. It is essential that suppression of diseaserelated beta cell apoptosis be targeted in a manner highly specific to the underlying pathologic mechanism(s) to avoid nonspecific suppression of apoptosis. The possible exception may be for approaches targeting the ex vivo treatment of beta cell sources to be used for transplantation. An ideal therapeutic strategy would simultaneously protect beta cells against disease related apoptosis and promote new beta cell formation. Such agents may also have utility to prolong the viability of the beta cells following transplantation, as measured by graft survival and function. The purpose of this call for Letters of Intent is to invite outstanding proposals to identify and characterize novel drug targets or biochemical intervention points in the beta cell that will promote survival and inhibit the apoptotic cascade of the beta cell in a highly selective and specific manner. Mechanistic studies may be proposed if they are specific to the beta cell and may directly lead to therapeutic compounds. Examples of pertinent topics include, but are not limited to: - Discovery of beta cell specific pathways or biochemical intervention points that govern the beta cell fate toward survival versus apoptosis in disease relevant systems and models - Studies to promote beta cell survival and inhibit apoptosis in the context of the transplantation of beta cells, including anti-apoptotic compounds for ex vivo administration of islets prior to transplantation - Studies with RNAi, known drugs or other molecular tools to discover pharmacologic intervention points to promote replication of functional human beta cells and simultaneously block the apoptotic cascade - High throughput screens to discover novel factors or small molecules to promote beta cell survival in a highly specific and selective manner - Hypothesis testing of novel factors or molecules to increase beta cell survival in relevant animal models including human transplant models - Genetic or other studies in animal models to identify or validate targets to promote survival of mature beta cells or newly regenerating beta cells
This call is not intended to support:
- Studies on the beta cell apoptotic cascade that do not lend themselves to achieving specificity and selectivity for the beta cell, or those focusing on mechanistic studies that cannot be translated to a protective therapeutic - Screens exclusively using transformed cell lines lacking physiological or disease relevance Eligibility Applicants must hold an M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M., Ph.D., or equivalent academic degree and hold a faculty position or equivalent at a college, university, medical school, or comparable institution. Applications may be submitted by domestic or foreign non-profit organizations, public or private, such as colleges, universities, hospitals, laboratories, units of state or local governments, eligible agencies of the federal government, or for-profit organizations. There are no citizenship requirements.
Mechanisms of Support JDRF intends to direct up to $6 million USD over two years in total costs to fund up to ~12 new grants in response to this RFA. Up to a maximum of $250,000 USD per year for two years, $500,000 USD total, may be requested. The level of funding may vary depending on the scope and overall objectives of the proposal. The JDRF hopes to help investigators to accelerate progress and address bottlenecks through active monitoring of these research programs. Under the terms of the grant application, written quarterly reports (~1 page) will be required from the funded investigator and reviewed by JDRF staff as a basis for continued support. Quarterly reports provide the opportunity for investigators to highlight progress towards research milestones as well as identify bottlenecks or impediments to progress and ways in which JDRF might assist in addressing them. Applicants must adhere to the following guidelines: • The budget may not exceed $250,000 USD per year total costs, including 10% indirect costs. • The total project period may not exceed two years. • Projected timelines on a quarterly basis for specific aims must be provided in the application. • Desired projected major milestones and deliverables for year 1 and year 2 must be provided in the application; these will be reviewed and may be modified as work progresses in discussion with the JDRF Program Director during the course of the research program. Applications that are not funded in this competition may be resubmitted as regular research grants or innovative grants using the standard receipt dates for applications described on the JDRF website: http://www.jdrf.org/ LOI Deadline 11/24/08
2009 Pfizer Visiting Professorships in Diabetes Program Objective To provide opportunities for US academic institutions to host a recognized expert for 3 days of educational exchange Program Design Up to 8 awards of $7500 each Department/division head serves as “host” of 1 visiting professor of his or her choice Three days of educational activities (eg, lectures, rounds, seminars)
Who Should Apply US medical schools and/or teaching hospitals with clear educational objectives for a proposed visit that have identified a visiting expert to meet these objectives
How to Apply
Access online application at www.promisingminds.com Submit host’s and visiting professor’s curriculum vitae Submit separate statements of impact, fit, reach, and a detailed proposed agenda
Selection Process
Nationally competitive Independent academic advisory board selects grant recipients Application Deadline January 31, 2009, 11:59 PM ET
Awards Announced April 15, 2009
Dates of Visits July 1, 2009 - June 30, 2010
For questions about the programs and applications, contact: Phone: (800) 382-7075 E-mail: MAPInfo@medpt.com
American Society of Transplantation/Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation Faculty Grant (For diabetes-related applications)
This is a two-year grant ($40,000/year) for Junior Faculty (basic or clinical science). This grant is co-sponsored by AST and Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF) to specifically support research targeted to the application of transplantation to the understanding and treatment of juvenile onset (i.e., type I) diabetes mellitus (e.g., the studies of islet transplantation, autoimmunity, etc.). Appropriate applications in the general pool of the AST Faculty Grants will be considered for the AST/JDRF Grant if no Fellowship Grant applications of sufficiently high quality are reviewed.
To be considered for the AST/JDRF Grant, individuals applying for the AST Basic Science or Clinical science grants, whose proposal pertains to diabetes should check the appropriate box on the front page of the application. Checking this box will ensure that the application is considered for this additional grant which will increase chances for funding. The highest scoring grant application in the general pool of Fellowship Grants that pertains to diabetes will be selected for this grant. Funding of this grant will be dependent upon the budgetary constraints of the two co-sponsoring organizations. The application, review and funding process for the general pool of the AST Faculty Grants will apply to this specialty grant. IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: The AST will not assume responsibility for any clinical study funded by the AST Awards and Grants Program. Such proposals must be IRB-approved. Any responsibility will be assumed by the P.I. and the funded institution.
Application deadline: Midnight Eastern Time on Friday, November 21, 2008.
American Society of Transplantation 15000 Commerce Parkway Suite C Mt.Laurel, NJ,08054 Phone: 856.439.9986 Fax: 856.439.9982 Email: ast@ahint.com
The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation created the Broad Medical Research Program (BMRP) for Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) Grants in 2001.IBD refers to two chronic inflammatory gastrointestinal disorders: Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Although numerous scientific advances have been made in understanding and treating IBD, the precise cause, successful treatment and prevention of IBD remain unknown.The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, through the BMRP, provides 40 percent of all private funding for IBD research in the United States. Our approach is different than many traditional scientific and medical funding organizations. We fund early stage investigation – with the goal that innovative ideas need financial support for early testing to ultimately lead to effective treatment, diagnosis and prevention of IBD.The BMRP provides rapid funding to investigators working in non-profit organizations worldwide for up to two years for basic or clinical IBD research projects that: * Are innovative * Are in the early stages of exploration * Will improve the diagnosis, therapy or prevention of IBD in the near future; and * Will lead to longer-term funding by more traditional granting agenciesThe BMRP provides funding to generate pilot research data, rather than serving as the final grant source for a research project. Grantees are encouraged to generate sufficient preliminary data in the first year in order to compete successfully for continuation funding from us and/or other sources.A grantee may receive second-year funding from the BMRP if the researcher demonstrates maximal progress in the first year of the grant, validates the original research premise and demonstrates a clear need for additional preliminary data.Because we believe that great ideas could come from non-traditional sources, we encourage basic and clinical investigators and scientists not currently working in IBD and interdisciplinary teams to apply.
There is a two-step process for requesting funding from the Broad Medical Research Program (BMRP) for Inflammatory Bowel Disease:1. The first step is to submit a Letter of Interest. Instructions and format for Letters of Interest may be found under “How to Apply.” Decisions on Letters of Interest are based on external expert review of the proposal and usually are made within four to six weeks.2. If the BMRP is interested in pursuing a project, an invitation is extended to submit a full grant application. At that time, the grant application instructions and forms are sent to the Principal Investigator. Decisions on grant applications are made based on external review by subject experts and usually take eight to 10 weeks.There are no deadlines or specific dates for applications. Proposals are accepted and reviewed year-round. Revised proposals may only be submitted at the request of the BMRP.Special Requests for ProposalsThe BMRP is currently soliciting proposals in two areas of research:Differences in IBD incidence between developing and developed countriesThe BMRP is funding innovative research into the possible reasons for low and high incidence of IBD in different areas of the globe. Proposals should be exploratory in nature or designed as pilot. The research should shed light on factors that may influence low versus high global areas of prevalence of the disease. The research should ultimately be helpful in improved understanding of the etiology of IBD and the factors that enhance or prevent the genesis of the disease.IBD and Diabetes MellitusThe BMRP is interested in early stage exploratory innovative research proposals to investigate the similarities and differences between inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) and diabetes mellitus (DM).Proposals should be exploratory in nature designed as pilot projects researching possible commonality in the etiopathogenesis between IBD and DM. Human or animal model studies are welcomed.
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