*Please note: On 9th December, 2011, four project proposals were recommended for funding under this call.  Details of individual proposals can be found in the links on the left of this page.

It is widely perceived that the availability of sensitive and specific biomarkers for the diagnosis and the monitoring of progression of neurodegenerative disorders, sufficiently robust to be used in large multicentric trials, is one of the greatest unmet needs in the field of neurodegenerative disease research.

Therefore, an immediate issue to be addressed is the development of optimally informative biomarkers to provide a solid basis for the establishment of risk-stratified patient cohorts and for upcoming multicentric diagnostic and therapeutic trials and to ensure stakeholder agreement regarding their use.

On 13 May 2011 a JPND joint transnational call was launched between 20 countries, to encourage novel approaches to the development of optimally informative biomarkers and harmonisation of their use. Applications are invited from collaborative consortia of researchers from participating countries.

The call was conducted simultaneously by the participating funding organisations in their respective countries and coordinated centrally, with a single proposal submission and peer review system.

Objectives
The aim of the call is to establish multi-national, collaborative research projects that will add value to existing research through addressing novel approaches to improve and harmonize the use of biomarkers in the area of neurodegenerative disorders. Full details of the scope of the call can be found on the call text link to the left of this page.

Funding
The total fund for this call is over 15 million euro (for all participating countries).

Who could apply?
In participating countries joint transnational research proposals may be submitted by research groups working in universities (or other higher education institutions), non-university public research institutes, hospitals, as well as commercial companies, in particular small and medium-size enterprises. The eligibility of the afore-mentioned institutions, together with details of eligible costs (personnel, material, consumables, equipment, travel money, etc.), are subject to the individual administrative requirements of individual funding organisations and may therefore vary.

Only joint transnational research projects will be funded. Each proposal must involve a minimum of four research centres and involve groups from at least four different countries of the funding organisations participating in this call.

Closing Date

Closing date for submissions was midnight on 5th September (CET time). Applications will not be accepted after this time. Funding starts in 2012.

Where can I get more information about this call? 

For more information contact:
Dr. Constanze Hahn
JPND Joint Call Secretariat
jpnd(at)dlr.de
Phone: +49 228 3821 1865