No. The applications process is open to researchers in North America and Europe, provided that they meet the qualifications set out in the Transatlantic Networks program description. In an effort to make researchers aware of available funding opportunities, the Fondation Leducq may sometimes send out notices using particular mailing or institutional lists which may not reach every researcher. This is not meant to restrict the field of applicants.

Under the terms of the Transatlantic Networks of Excellence, applications are accepted from teams of scientists, which consist at a minimum of one European and one North American member. Applicants must have demonstrable expertise in research pertaining to cardiovascular or neurovascular disease and an affiliation with a major academic medical center. The network may include members from fields outside of cardiovascular and neurovascular research, such as other medical specialities, physics, engineering or information technology, where such members bring a needed expertise to the network.

Currently the Fondation Leducq operates on an annual funding cycle. Awards are announced in June, and at that time, decisions are made about the funding program for the next year. All necessary information is posted promptly on the Fondation Leducq website shortly after the June Board of Director's meeting. At the same time, Fondation Leducq contacts the offices of sponsored research at universities in North America and Europe, as well as individual investigators on its mailing list, with information about the availability of grants for the next cycle. To receive calls for applications, please join the mailing list through the link on the Contact Information page.

No. Applications must be received electronically in the Paris office by the published deadline. It is the responsibility of the applicant to confirm that the foundation has received the application materials.

There are no current plans to extend the geographic inclusion zone for the Transatlantic Networks program. Researchers whose main laboratories are outside of Europe or North America can be considered on a case by case basis as a network member, but cannot serve as a network coordinator. Israel is not considered part of Europe.

No budget information is requested at the expression of interest stage. Should you be asked later to submit a full application, a complete budget will be requested at that time.

No. There is no limit on the number of expressions of interest or full applications in which an institution may participate, and there is no advantage or disadvantage in applying from an institution that is submitting multiple applications. There is no restriction on the number of grants or grantees that a single institution may be have.

The grant support to include is only that relevant to the proposed project. It can be included in a separate sheet. For purposes of brevity, smaller amounts can be consolidated. All of this can be amplified in the application process at a later date if necessary.

Electronic signatures, like those on a PDF of a scanned document, are accepted. No hard copy is requested at this stage of the process.

The Fondation Leducq has established the following limitations for participation in multiple networks of the Transatlantic Networks Program:

1) Network coordinators cannot participate concurrently in any other Leducq network, in any capacity.
2) 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).

While the foundation has not previously limited the number of applications a single 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:

1) Applicants for the role of coordinator cannot have their name on any other application submitted to the foundation.
2) 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.
3) 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.

For more details, please refer to the Transatlantic Networks of Excellence Program Description accessible from the website.

Yes, although it is worth noting that the selection committee in the past has shown a preference for programs that have a translational component to them. All applications are evaluated based on the same criteria:
1) value of the scientific work to be pursued;
2) qualifications of the network members to perform the proposed project;
3) commitment to the career development of junior investigators;
4) demonstration of the added value of international collaboration; and
5) feasibility and appropriateness of the scope of the project vis-à-vis the grant duration and funding and the mission of the foundation