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Medical Sciences – European Medical Research Councils (EMRC)

ESF Research Networking Programmes - 2009 Call for Proposals now launched

An ESF Research Networking Programme (RNP) is a networking activity bringing together nationally funded research activities for four to five years, to address a major scientific issue or a science-driven topic of research infrastructure, at the European level with the aim of advancing the frontiers of science.

Key objectives include:

· creating interdisciplinary fora;

· sharing knowledge and expertise;

· developing new techniques;

· training young scientists.

A successful Programme proposal must show high scientific quality and also demonstrate added value by being carried out at a European level rather than by individual research groups at the national level.

Proposals may be submitted in any scientific field. Deadline for receipt of proposals: 22 October 2009 (16:00 CET). Full details at http://www.esf.org/programmes.

Investigator-Driven Clinical Trials: An ESF Forward Look

‘The European Medical Research Councils (EMRC) mandated the undertaking of a foresight study on ‘Investigator- Driven Clinical Trials’ (IDCT). This project marks the most comprehensive examination and analysis of the issue in Europe and proposes particular steps towards better clinical research in Europe. Investigator-driven clinical trials - trials instigated by academic researchers aimed at acquiring scientific knowledge and evidence to improve patient care – deal with potential diagnostic and therapeutic innovations that do not attract or could be even against commercial interest.

In order to tackle these problems faced by researchers conducting IDCT a thorough analysis of the issues was carried out through a series of five workshops covering different themes and attended by active and acknowledged experts in the field. A total of 26 recommendations emerged addressing needs and solutions, the top five of which are the following:

To improve the education, training and career structure and opportunities for scientists involved in patient-oriented clinical research.
To increase levels of funding for IDCT.
To adopt a ‘risk-based’ approach to the regulation of IDCT.
To streamline procedures for obtaining authorization for IDCT.
To ensure that IDCT are carried out with an appropriate number of patients to produce statistically reliable results so that the trials are ‘correctly powered’.

Europe needs to listen and implement the recommendations, which are urgently required given that clinical research in Europe is under severe pressure.’ Download the IDCT report

ESF Call for proposals 2009

During 2009 the European Science Foundation (ESF) will be announcing a series of calls for proposals which will give researchers the opportunity to propose and launch research projects and collaborative activities with a European
dimension. Call for proposals

Systems Biology for Medical Applications (SysBioMed)

The contribution of the European Science Foundation was to compose a Science Policy Briefing on Systems Biology with a specific focus on Medical Applications. The methodology towards this aim was to bring together recognised group leaders and young researchers, to identify and prioritise suitable application areas for Systems Biology within the medical sciences. Science Policy NO35

Medical research is vital for improving human health as it brings about a better understanding of the cause and effect of complex diseases. Advancing knowledge in the field also generates enormous social benefits which in turn translate into economic growth.

EMRC, the European Medical Research Councils is the membership organisation for all the Medical Research Councils in Europe under the European Science Foundation in Strasbourg (France). The mission of the European Medical Research Councils (EMRC) is to promote innovative medical research and its clinical application towards improved human health. EMRC offers authoritative strategic advice for policy making, research management, ethics, and better health services. In its activities, EMRC serves as a voice of its Member Organisations and the European scientific community. EMRC disseminates knowledge and promotes the socio-economic value of medical research to the general public and the decision makers.

: Please click on the picture to read the new EMRC newsletter, issue N° 14, Dec. 2009

: Please click on the picture to read the new SPB N°35 SysBioMed

European Science Foundation

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