Last year, for the first time in its 55 year history, the World Federation of Neurology invited project proposals from its membership for specific educational or applied research projects in neurology and the applied neurosciences as part of its activities as a registered charitable organization and its mission to “foster quality neurology and brain health worldwide”

The proposals were peer reviewed by a Grants Working Group:

• Vladimir Hachinski, Canada Chair
• Charles Warlow, UK
• Emre Murat, Turkey
• Jun Kimura, USA/Japan

The project proposals were reviewed according to the following criteria:

Relevance:

• How does the project address the mission of the WFN?

Value:                       

• What is the return for invested effort, funds or time?
• Priority will be given to low cost, high impact projects

Viability:

• Is this a limited time project with a measurable outcome or is it an initiative that will grow and become institutionalized?  If the latter, who will take over responsibility after the WFN’s initial involvement?

Synergy:

1. within the WFN – among Committees, Initiatives and Task  Forces
2. with other organizations outside partners, governmental and non-governmental organizations, the WHO, funding agencies, etc.
3. potential for publicity and fundraising

Evaluation:

• How will the outcome be measured?               

As a result of the process, the following projects were funded:

* jointly funded by the World Federation of Neurology (WFN) and the World Stroke Organization (WSO)

I am pleased to announce that there will be a new competition this year.  The major difference is that the Grants Working Group will be made up of leaders of the major brain organizations , who will serve on the Working Group as individuals, but with the hope that they will identify projects of mutual interest that they can recommend to their respective organization for joint funding.  This arrangement may have several advantages:

1. We will become familiar with what each other is doing;
2. One or more organizations may choose to co-fund a project;
3. By having a greater number of potential sources of funding, it may be possible to carry out more substantial projects.

The members of the 2012 Grants Working Group are:

• Peter Black, USA, World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies (WFNS)
• Harry Chugani, USA, International Child Neurology Association (ICNA)
• William Carroll, Australia, Multiple Sclerosis Research Australia (MSRA)
• Richard Hughes, UK, European Federation of Neurological Societies (EFNS)
• Pierre Magistretti, Switzerland, International Brain Research Organization (IBRO)
• Solomon Moshe, USA, International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)
• Bo Norrving, Sweden, World Stroke Organization (WSO)
• Bruce Sigsbee, USA, American Academy of Neurology (AAN)
• Günther Deuschl, Germany, The Movement Disorder Society (MDS)

Deadlines:

• Letter of Intent (LOI) due by March 15, 2012
• Applicants notified of results by March 31, 2012
• Applications due by May 15, 2012
• Applicants informed about final results by June 15, 2012
• Funding of successful applicants begins July 1, 2012

The growing burden of brain disorders and the global shrinking of resources pose new challenges, calling for novel solutions.  By broadening our approach and focusing our activities, we can have a greater impact than the sum of our individual efforts.

Together we can do more.

Vladimir Hachinski

Letter of intent (use headings below) along with brief CV to be submitted to Rebecca Clarke at Rebecca.clarke@lhsc.on.ca by March 15, 2012

LETTER OF INTENT (LOI)
APPLICATION FORM 

TITLE OF PROJECT: _______________________________________________

NAME OF SPONSORING GROUP, LEADER(S) OR PROJECT AND AFFILIATIONS:

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT, INCLUING AIMS, METHODOLOGY, TIMELINES AND OUTCOMES: (UP TO 1000 WORDS) 

BUDGET: