Gaucher Generation Grant Program Overview
The Gaucher Generation Program distributes grants on a competitive basis to scientists and clinicians engaged in Gaucher disease research. The program is intended to stimulate and support the advancement of medical knowledge and practice in Gaucher disease through innovative investigator-initiated research. It represents Genzyme’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the care of Gaucher patients and supporting the Gaucher community. The ultimate goal of the program is to improve the lives of Gaucher patients.
Your Ideas. Our Support.
Two winners will be selected each year. Each winner will receive a two-year annual grant of up to $100,000 for a total grant of up to $200,000. All proposals are considered proprietary and confidential, and are not reproduced except for purposes of program administration.
Research Topics for 2010
We will consider a wide range of research proposals for the award, including basic research, clinical research, ICGG Gaucher Registry-based research, and public health and patient education research. Higher consideration will be given to those proposals that can contribute to improving the lives of those with Gaucher disease.
Application Process and Timeline
Step 1. Letter of Intent Submission:
The Letter of Intent is a brief summary, not to exceed three pages, outlining the research intent and approach. Download instructions for the Letter of Intent here. Your completed Letter of Intent documentation should be emailed to gauchergeneration@genzyme.com by April 30, 2010.
Step 2. Letter of Intent Review:
An independent committee of Gaucher Disease experts will review all Letters of Intent in a blinded evaluation to determine if the proposed research is appropriate for the program.
Step 3. Request for Proposals:
All applicants will be notified via email by early June, 2010 whether or not the committee recommends they submit a full research proposal.
Step 4. Proposal Submission:
Requested Proposals must reach Genzyme by July 30, 2010. Download the Research Proposal Instructions here. Completed proposals should be emailed to gauchergeneration@genzyme.com.
Step 5. Research Proposal Review:
An independent committee of Gaucher disease experts will review all Research Proposals in a blinded evaluation to determine the grant recipients.
Step 6. Notification of Winners:
Grant appplicants will be notified in September of the review committee's decisions.
Step 7. Research Agreements Signed:
A research agreement will be signed and payments made in semi-annual installments beginning in January 2011.
Review Criteria
An independent, internationally diverse committee of Gaucher disease experts, will review, evaluate, and score all Letters of Intent and Research Proposals. Membership on the committee will be rotated to ensure a broad range of scientific representation over time. Members of the committee will not be permitted to submit Letters of Intent or Research Proposals. In addition to the scientific merit of the proposed research, and its applicability to patient care, the committee of Gaucher disease experts considers the following criteria when evaluating proposals:
- Adequacy of the experimental design to answer the proposed question of interest
- Feasibility of the proposed study design, budget, and duration
- Clinical importance and potential impact on patients
- Innovation of the proposal
- Qualifications and experience of the principal investigator for the proposed research
Research Agreement
Should an applicant be awarded a Gaucher Generation Program grant, the recipient and Genzyme will sign a research agreement. This agreement will contain the terms and conditions of the research study, including obligations for the recipient to report study progress every six months, publication rights, confidentiality and first option rights for Genzyme when an industrial application is anticipated.
Downloadable documents:
Contact Information
For questions regarding the Gaucher Generation program or grant application process, please email gauchergeneration@genzyme.com. You may also call within the U.S. 1-800-745-4447, x16608, or +1-617-768-6608 outside the U.S., and speak with Elaine Cipriano, Grant Program Coordinator.