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  • The Roche Organ Transplantation Research Foundation (ROTRF) and
  • The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (JDRF, www.jdrf.org)

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launched in 2006 a Joint ROTRF/JDRF Initiative to support projects in immunology and biology research relevant to pancreatic islet transplantation, and transplantation solutions for human type 1 diabetes. Investigators working in the fields of immunology and cell biology, gene therapy, cellular engineering, stem cell research (e.g. generation of islet/beta cell source from stem cells or other cell sources, novel interventions leading to immune tolerance) and other approaches that are relevant to both type 1 diabetes and transplantation, are strongly encouraged to apply.

Research Areas Considered for Funding

  • Transplantation approaches to human type 1 diabetes
  • Islet transplantation (incl. deceased donor islets) for therapeutic use in type 1 diabetic patients
  • Development of new approaches (incl. stem cell transplantation) for improvements of graft survival and/or of long-term immunosuppression in type 1 diabetic patients
  • Cellular engineering (incl. gene therapy) for therapeutic use in human transplantation relevant to types 1 diabetes
  • Investigations of alternative sources of pancreatic islets/beta cells for use in transplantation
  • Quantification and functional determination of islets/beta cells for use in replacement therapy

Eligibility

Established faculty members of academic staff at universities, transplant and diabetes centres, and research institutes are eligible for this Joint ROTRF/JDRF Initiative.

The Grant

The maximum amount awarded per grant is 300,000 Swiss Francs distributed over 3 years. Depending upon the decision of the Boards of the ROTRF and JDRF, innovative and promising projects of high risk may be supported as proof-of-concept studies. Grants are awarded biannually.

Application Procedure and Submission Deadlines

2-step procedure:

How to Apply for a Research Grant Click for enlargement

  • Submission of a Letters of Intent (LOI) at one of our deadlines, 1 April and 1 October of each year.
  • Top-ranking LOIs are invited to submit a Full Paper Application (FPA). The applicants will have about 6-7 weeks for the preparation and submission of the FPA.

Evaluation

Applications submitted for this Joint ROTRF/JDRF Initiative should be relevant to islet cell transplantation, and transplantation solutions for human type 1 diabetes. The applications are evaluated by Members of the ROTRF Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC) and JDRF Reviewers (ad hoc) for:

  • Relevance to islets transplantation and transplantation solution to type 1 diabetes
  • Scientific excellence
  • Originality
  • Potential translation to human type 1 diabetes and realistic potential for near term clinical application

Grant Awards

The final decision on the number and size of the grants is a joint process between the ROTRF and the JDRF based on the overall evaluation of the scientific reviewers. The decision is taken approximately 6 months after the submission deadline of the LOI.

The JDRF research decision-making is driven by an informed assessment of how the research being proposed is responsive to the needs of people with Type 1 diabetes and whether or not it proposes cogent approaches to solving specific Type 1 diabetes-related scientific and clinical problems.

Unsuccessful applicants in the Joint ROTRF/JDRF Initiative may still be considered for a ROTRF or JDRF grant award.

Grant Agreement for Joint ROTRF/JDRF Grant Awards

Awardees will receive an official copy of the Agreement signed by ROTRF Trustees and JDRF. Please make sure that your institution has been familiarized with the Agreement. Please note that ROTRF and JDRF RESERVE THE RIGHT TO DEDUCT FROM THE GRANT ANY EXCESSIVE GRANT NEGOTIATION COSTS.

Agreement for ROTRF/JDRF Joint Initiative Grant Award [22 KB] PDF-Download