THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION IS VALID FOR THE 2010-2011 APPLICATION CYCLE, BEGINNING IN SEPTEMBER, 2010.

Applicants to the Transatlantic Networks Program must send an expression of interest, in the form of a single .pdf formatted email attachment, to the Fondation Leducq (contact@flcq.org) by 11:59 p.m. (Paris time) on Wednesday, September 15, 2010. 

Expressions of interest should include:

• Full names, institutional affiliations, postal and email addresses, telephone and fax numbers for the North American and the European Coordinators and proposed members. 
• The research program title.
• A description of the proposed research, not to exceed 1500 words, which should cover:
  • The purpose and objectives of the work.
  • A short statement of the background and scientific importance of the research.
  • The proposed research plan and organization of the network to meet the stated objectives.  Cite relevant publications where applicable (see below).
  • A discussion of the added value of the collaborative network for achieving scientific objectives.
  • A summary of the qualifications of the applicants to carry out the research, including experience in field, and prior collaborative work.
• A very abbreviated CV (1 page) in biosketch format of the coordinators and proposed members.  A template of the biosketch is available here.
• A one page bibliography. Please list here references cited in the project statement. Include (and highlight in some way, e.g. bold typeface) at least 5 recent publications from among the members of the proposed network.
• A completed and signed disclosure form for each coordinator and proposed member.  Applicants should refer to the Fondation Leducq conflict of interest policy for applicants before completing the disclosure form available here.
  

The reviewers would appreciate your using 12-point type.  Diagrams may be added for descriptive clarity. All documents should be merged into a single PDF file, ideally less than 4 MB in size.

Expressions of interest not complying with the format guidelines risk disqualification. The submission of additional materials is discouraged, as they will not be considered, nor will they be returned. An introductory letter may accompany the expression of interest, but is not necessary, and will not be included among the materials evaluated by the Committee.

The Fondation Leducq will make every effort to notify applicants of the receipt of materials submitted during the application process. It is ultimately, however, the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that his or her application has been received.

Following the fall meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee, which will take place at the end of October, applicants will be notified of the status of their applications. A select number of applicants (approximately 10-12 out of 40-80 in previous cycles) will be asked to submit a full application, the details of which will be conveyed to them at the time of notification. It is the express intention of the members of the committee to limit requests for full applications to those proposals with a significant chance of success in the final round. Please note that it is the policy of the Scientific Advisory Committee not to provide comments or feedback about unsuccessful applications or about the application process.  Full applications are due in the foundation office in February, and decisions regarding them are finalized at the June meeting of the Fondation Leducq’s Conseil d’Administration (Board of Directors).

Eligibility

Participants in a Fondation Leducq Transatlantic Network of Excellence must be affiliated with an academic research center in North America or Europe, and must have expertise in cardiovascular or neurovascular disease or an appropriate related field.  The inclusion of researchers from centers outside Europe and North America as members is permitted in special cases with prior Fondation Leducq approval.

Transatlantic Network grants are not renewable. Members of concluding networks, who wish to reapply to the Transatlantic Networks Program with a network that consists of largely of the same participants, and with a theme similar to that of the existing network, are urged to present a new and original direction for research.  All applications will be considered on a de novo basis.

Members of ongoing Leducq networks who plan to apply again for Fondation Leducq funding must respect the following rules, taking effect as of the 2010-2011 application cycle:

•    Network coordinators cannot participate concurrently in any other Leducq network, in any capacity.  Following the conclusion of the program of which they were the coordinators, they are ineligible to apply again to the Transatlantic Networks Program as a network coordinator, although they are eligible to participate as a member of another network.  An exception is made for network members who, for whatever reason, have taken up the responsibility of network coordinator during the term of the network grant; they may apply to the foundation as the coordinator of a new network.
•    Before the 2009-2010 application cycle, network members were divided into core members and associated members.  This distinction has been abandoned, and all network participants other than the coordinators are now known simply as members.  Network members may not participate in more than two Leducq networks concurrently.  (This rule applies only to the 5-year term of the grant, and not to the no-cost extension period that networks may choose to implement.)

The Fondation Leducq has not previously limited the number of applications any one investigator can submit.  As of the 2010-2011 application cycle, investigators will not be able to submit more applications than the number in which they could participate if all applications were successful.  Practically, this means that in any given year:

• Applicants for the role of coordinator cannot have their name on any other application submitted to the foundation.
• A member of a current Leducq network, which is expected to continue the following year, can be included in only one application to the foundation.
• An investigator not currently participating in a Leducq network can submit a maximum of either one application where his/her role will be that of coordinator, or two applications for that of member.
  

FAQ on the application process