FOREUM Call for proposals on Novel Omic Technology approaches to tackle specific unmet needs in Rheumatic and Musculoskeletal Disorders

The Foundation for Research in Rheumatology (FOREUM) recognizes the growing importance of novel omic technologies beyond transcriptome analysis such as proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics in advancing our understanding and management of rheumatic and musculoskeletal disorders (RMDs). We are pleased to announce our latest call for research proposals focused on harnessing these emerging and increasingly important omic technologies for hypothesis-driven research in RMDs. The proposals should start from and focus on a clearly articulated unmet medical need and aim to provide solutions for the identified challenge. Pure screening approaches without functional validation of the hypothesis will not be funded. This call aims to support collaborative consortia of at least three partner universities to undertake research that would be challenging to fund through generic calls across disciplines. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we aim to catalyze transformative research that will ultimately benefit individuals living with RMDs.

Scope

We invite scientific proposals that address the following objectives:

1. Utilization of emerging Omic Technologies:

  • Develop and apply omic technologies such as proteomics, lipidomics, and metabolomics to provide solutions for unmet medical needs such as but not limited to immune-reset, induction of remission, prevention of flare.

and/or

  • Focus on omic data integration and systems biology approaches to elucidate complex interactions within the immune system and the musculoskeletal system in RMDs.

2. Hypothesis-Driven Research:

  • Propose hypothesis-driven research projects that leverage emerging omic technologies to address specific research questions or hypotheses related to the identified unmet medical needs in the approach to RMDs. Provide strategies to validate and functionally confirm the omic findings.
  • Focus on research areas where these omic technologies have the potential to provide novel insights or transformative solutions, including but not limited to autoimmune diseases, inflammatory arthritis, connective tissue disorders, and osteoarthritis.

3. Collaborative Consortia:

  • Encourage the formation of collaborative consortia involving at least three partner universities from different countries to facilitate interdisciplinary research and knowledge exchange.
  • Foster collaboration between basic scientists, clinicians, bioinformaticians, and computational biologists to ensure the translation of omic data into clinical applications and patient benefits.

Full call text

How to apply

Applications should be made electronically via the following link (please chose Topic call):

APPLY HERE

Call timeline

  • Closing date for Letter of intent: 27 October 2024
  • Decisions on Letter of intent announced: 09 December 2024
  • Closing date for full proposals: 02 February 2025
  • Decisions on full proposals announced: 21 March 2025

Inquiries

For general inquiries please contact the FOREUM Secretariat at info@foreum.org.

FOREUM Grants