Abstract
Incorporated in 1995, the International Foundation for Research in Paraplegia - IRP, supports basic and clinical research in the field of CNS injury, regeneration and functional restoration. It does so, since 1996, together with its sister IFP Foundation, by allocating research grants following a competitive evaluation by an international panel of experts of submitted research projects.
In addition, the Geneva IRP Foundation recently decided to regularly award a Prize in memory of its late founding member, Ulrich Schellenberg (1939-2001). The Schellenberg Prize For Research will be given to recognize outstanding scientific work which has been recently published (or is in press) in renowned scientific periodicals and which throws new light on cellular and molecular processes involved in spinal cord development, plasticity and regeneration .
The prize, up to 100'000 Swiss Francs, is meant to provide additional funds for a young but already established and successful scientist working experimentally in the above-mentioned fields. The money awarded, by permitting to hire new co-worker or personnel, and by buying equipment or supplies, should help investigate avenues than can lead, in due course, to progress in spinal cord regeneration and functional recovery.
The Schellenberg Prize For Research is advertised internationally. Applications and nominations are welcomed worldwide. They should be sent to the President of the IRP Prize Committee before May 19, 2006 and should include :
- a description of the main results obtained (up to 4 typewritten pages) ;
- reprints (and preprints if applicable) of recent, relevant publications ;
- a curriculum vitae of the applicant, as well as a full list of his/her publications for the last five years.
The Prize Committee is formed by two scientists, members of and designated by, the Geneva IRP Foundation, and by two additional neuroscientists, one being also member of the International Panel of Scientists IRP/IFP. Applications can be solicited by members of the Prize committee, either from individual scientists or from scientific societies or organisms.
The Prize Committee selects the best applicant or nominee on the basis of scientific quality and originality of the work recently published. The Prize can be divided among two winners or, lacking a very good candidate, its attribution can be postponed to the next year, following a renewed international advertisement.
The Schellenberg Prize For Research is advertised on the website "naturejobs.com".
A Prize awarding ceremony is scheduled to take place in September or October, in Geneva or Lausanne , Switzerland , in presence of the Prize winner.
(This is an English summary of the original, French version of Guidelines adopted by the Geneva IRP Foundation on 28 February 2003 ).
For Further information, contact
JeanJacques.Dreifuss@medecine.unige.ch
President, Schellenberg Prize For Research Committee
Geneva , 8 March 2004