FAQ

What is the purpose of the Find For Rare Research Grant Initiative?

The independently assessed, expert-led Research Grant Initiative Find For Rare aims to improve patient care and management by promoting and recognising research in three lysosomal storage disorders – Fabry disease, alpha-mannosidosis, and cystinosis.

Which types of research projects are eligible for this funding?

Find For Rare research grants are designed to support original research projects that advance knowledge in the field of:

• Fabry disease
• Alpha-mannosidosis
• Cystinosis

The following categories of research projects are eligible for funding:

• Projects aimed at improving understanding of the factors affecting diseases, from pathogenesis to progression
• Studies of patient tailored clinical management

Please see more information on the grant scope and application criteria here.

Which projects are NOT eligible for this funding?

The following projects will not be considered eligible for funding:

• Studies for which extensive data have already been published
• Studies that directly or indirectly aim to investigate the efficacy and safety of drugs, including pre-clinical and clinical (interventional and observational) studies
• Projects that have the same objectives/endpoints as investigator-sponsored studies already supported by Chiesi Group or Chiesi subsidiaries

Please see more information on the grant scope and application criteria here.

Who can apply for this research grant?

To be eligible for funding, the applicant must be a principal investigator, research scientist, or physician scientist at the organisation operating in the health or scientific research sector that meets the requirements of the current local legislation. The applicant must hold a professional degree (e.g., PhD, MD, PharmD), be responsible for the conduct of the study, and have permission from their institution to apply for a grant.

Individuals from organisations affiliated with the directors of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases/Chiesi Group as well as individuals who are spouses or family members, including relatives up to the second degree of the directors of Chiesi Global Rare Diseases/Chiesi Group are ineligible to apply.

Applicants with projects proposals from global regions other than the Americas are welcome to apply.

Please see more information on the grant scope and application criteria here.

What is the language of the application?

The official language for all applications is English, and no translations will be provided.

Which countries are eligible for this grant?

Project proposals from global regions other than the Americas are eligible for submission.

As a researcher based in the Americas region, am I eligible to apply for this grant?

Unfortunately, at the present moment, the Find For Rare research grants are available for researchers based in global regions other than the Americas. However, please consider contacting your local Chiesi representative to propose your research idea.

How much funding is available for a single project?

Researchers are eligible to apply for grants up to €50,000 [fifty thousand euro] to support their project.

The total funding will not exceed €50,000 (or equivalent for other currencies) and includes all costs, including indirect costs.

If a researcher receives the funding, will the indirect cost be added to the funding?

No, the total funding to be awarded includes all costs, including indirect costs. The total funding per project will not exceed €50,000 [fifty thousand euro] or equivalent for other currencies.

How many projects will receive the funding?

Grants will be awarded to up to three research proposals across the therapeutic areas (Fabry disease, alphamannosidosis, and cystinosis). The resources that have been set aside for this Research Grant Initiative amount to a total of €150,000 [one hundred and fifty thousand euro]. Researchers are eligible to apply for grants up to €50,000 [fifty thousand euro] per project. Depending on the number and quality of applications, based on the review by the Steering Committee members, the total number of grants and total amount per project awarded may vary.

What is the project proposal submission process?

Please see the grant application process described here.

Are there any fees associated with participation in this call for applications?

No, participation in this call for applications is free of charge.

What is the application deadline?

The project proposals must be submitted by the application deadline, 31 December 2024.

Please see more information on the application timelines here.

How are the project proposals evaluated?

All submitted research proposals will be evaluated by the Steering Committee, an independent scientific board of leading experts in the lysosomal storage disorders field specialised in Fabry disease, alphamannosidosis, and cystinosis. Please see a detailed overview of the evaluation process here.

What criteria are used to evaluate project proposals?

To ensure a fair, balanced, and independent scientific review and selection process, the research proposals will be evaluated by the Steering Committee according to defined assessment criteria:

• Strength of the proposed research project
• Innovation and novelty
• Relevance and impact
• Potential for success

Please see a detailed overview of the evaluation criteria here.

Are there specific areas of research that the Find For Rare Research Grant Initiative prioritises?

The research projects with clear potential to advance scientific understanding of Fabry disease, alphamannosidosis, and/or cystinosis, improve patient outcomes, and/or reduce individual disease burden will be prioritised. Additional preference will be given to intercountry collaborations.

Can an applicant submit more than one proposal?

No, each researcher can submit only one application. However, organisations may submit more than one project proposal without any restrictions on the number of projects per therapeutic area.

Is the grant issued to the researcher or the organisation?

The Find For Rare research grants are provided to organisations operating in the health or scientific research sector that meet the requirements of the current local legislation.

The research grants are neither awarded nor paid out to individuals.

How will I know the status of my application?

Following submission of the project proposal, a confirmation of receipt (and completeness of the application) will be issued by the Grant Office.

Research grant recipients will be notified via email, and their names and affiliations will be publicly announced.

Are there any restrictions on how grant funds can be used?

The Find For Rare research grants are provided to organisations operating in the health or scientific research sector that meet the requirements of the current local legislation. The research grants are neither awarded nor paid out to individuals.

Each organisation awarded with a research grant must be the actual beneficiary, i.e., the recipient and the direct user of the grant.

To ensure the validity of the application, each organisation will be called to formally certify meeting the requirements of the research grant and its commitment, in case of obtaining the grant, to refrain from reinvesting or reusing the grant for profit generation for any reason. In the lack thereof, the evaluator reserves the right to reallocate the grant to the alternative applicants from the final ranking list who meet the stated requirements, even after the initial allocation of the grant.

Applicants assume full responsibility for ownership, content, and compliance with all relevant regulations relevant to their research projects. Any fraudulent documents or untruthful declarations shall constitute the grounds for disqualification from the research grant, even once the selection phase is completed. This includes potential disqualification from future payments and the application of the sanctions envisaged by applicable law.

Will my research proposal be shared with Chiesi or be only visible to the Grant Office and the Steering Committee?

By submitting your research proposal, you acknowledge that the proposal might be shared with appointed members of Chiesi Clinical Department and Medical Affairs Representatives. If you do not wish for the research proposal contents to be shared, please inform the Grant Office at FindForRare@ashfieldmedcomms.com.

My question is not listed in the FAQ. Whom can I contact?

Please contact the Grant Office for any queries.

Find For Rare Grant Office – FindForRare@ashfieldmedcomms.com