Association Syndrome de Wolfram
Call for Projects 2012:
The Neurological aspects of Wolfram Syndrome
60,000 Euros maximum for one year renewable once
The Association Syndrome de Wolfram created in 2007 is a not-for-profit voluntary
health organization. Headquartered in France but with an international perspective,
the
main
mission
of
the
Association
Syndrome
de
Wolfram
(http://www.association-du-syndrome-de-wolfram.org) is to encourage relevant
and cutting-edge world-wide research into the cause, means of prevention and
possible cure of the Wolfram syndrome.
The Association Syndrome de Wolfram is pleased to announce its first International
Call for Research Projects focused exclusively on the neurological defects of
Wolfram Syndrome. Priority will be given to projects concentrating on aspects
other than the sensorineural defects of the disease.
This first Call for Research Projects is dedicated to the funding of projects aimed at
developing our understanding and treatment of the neurological deficits in the
Wolfram Syndrome. To further this aim, the 2012 Call is open to all aspects of
research from basic research to the development of therapies addressing the
neurological deficits.
This international Call supports innovative, interdisciplinary, multi-project
approaches open to all researchers interested in advancing therapies for Wolfram
syndrome, in particular for the neurological aspects. Multi-institutional partnerships
involving academic, non-profit, and/or commercial or industrial institutions, as well
as collaboration between investigators from two or more countries, are encouraged.
AWARDS
Awards will not exceed €60,000 per year renewable once. Funding is committed for
one year only, with non-competitive renewal for the second year conditioned upon
receipt of satisfactory financial and scientific annual report by members of the
scientific advisory board.
The award amount can be used for running costs, equipment and travels (but not
exclusively) and/or salaries of personnel including post-doctoral fellows. Please note
that the Association does not fund Ph.D salaries.
ELIGIBILITY
This call is open to Principal Investigators only.
To be eligible as principal investigator, an individual should have the skills,
knowledge and resources to carry out the proposed project and coordinate a multiteam project. A principal investigator:
1. must be a professional or faculty member at an appropriate educational, medical or
research institution or SME (small or medium enterprise) biotech and be qualified to
conduct and supervise a program of original research;
2. must have access to institutional resources necessary to conduct the proposed
research project;
3. must hold a Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Philosophy, Doctor of Science or
equivalent degree;
4. must have a track record of collaboration with others.
PROJECT SELECTION
All applications are peer-reviewed by an international Scientific Advisory Board with
diverse expertise in all fields of science to ensure their scientific merit and relevance
to Wolfram syndrome. The evaluation of applications will be based on the following
criteria:
1. Relevance and Significance for the neurological aspects of Wolfram
syndrome
2. Project quality / scientific soundness;
3. Innovation;
4. Feasibility (i.e., investigator, environment, approach);
5. The economic reasonableness of the proposed budget;
1. Relevance and significance for Wolfram Syndrome: how is this research
relevant to a better understanding of the neurological deficits in Wolfram syndrome,
its causes, treatment and/or prevention? Does this study address an important
problem? Is there a sufficient body of high quality fundamental, preclinical or clinical
research that supports the rationale for the proposed study? What is the therapeutic
potential impact of the proposal?
2. Project quality/ Scientific soundness: Are the rationale and experimental design
adapted to the study objectives?
3. Innovation: Are the aims of the study original? Does the proposed study design
represent advancement in the field? Does the project advance international
cooperation in the field?
4. Feasibility: 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
strategies? Is the principal investigator and the postdoctoral fellow (if applicable)
well suited to carry out the proposed study? Is the scientific environment adequate?
Is there evidence of institutional support? Have appropriate agreements with
collaborators been established?
5. Reasonableness of the budget: Is the budget reasonable in relation to the
proposed research?
APPLICATION PROCEDURE
The application deadline for projects is: 26th January 2012.
It is anticipated that notification of Awards will be made during June 2012 with
funding to start as soon as possible thereafter, subject to contracts being agreed
between the relevant parties.
The application form can be found on:
www.association-du-syndrome-de-wolfram.org
All documents provided will be treated as strictly confidential
Grant applications should be made in Euros.
Payments to subsidiary institutions involved in the research must be made by the
institution to which the grant award is made. The Wolfram Syndrome Association
cannot enter into contracts and agreements with all partners involved in a project.
Therefore, only one institution should be legally contracted with our Association.
The applicant should provide:

1 electronic version of the application is required (20 Mb maximum, MS
Word ) should be e-mailed to syndromewolfram@gmail.com. Please save
your document under acronym-PI’s last name. Example: WFS1neurochemKayaffre.

1 signed original application form. The signatures of the Laboratory
Director and of all the participants must appear on this application.
AND
1 copie stapled

The application (1 signed original application form and 1 copie) should be mailed
before 26th January 2012 to:
Association du syndrome de Wolfram
Résidence Gauguin
56 390 GRAND-CHAMP
France