Leducq Foundation - International Networks of Excellence

Eligibility

Participants in a Leducq Foundation International Network of Excellence Program (INEP) must have:

• Expertise in cardiovascular or neurovascular disease, or a related field, and must be affiliated with an academic research center. 
• The two Network Coordinators must be from different continents. In the consideration of continent boundaries, conventional geographic definitions will obtain. 
• The INEP is open to investigators worldwide, with the exception of the coordinator role, as described above. 
• Participation in a Leducq International Network is contingent upon the commitment of the participant’s affiliated academic institution to abide by the financial and intellectual property provisions. 
• Participants sign a customary research agreement which outlines the conditions of support, the powers of the coordinators to modify the program, and the responsibilities and accountability of network members.

Summary

The Leducq Foundation announces a call for applications typically in June of each year. The International Networks of Excellence Program award is $8,000,000 over five years.  The INE program is open to investigators worldwide.  Network coordinators must be from different continents. All Leducq networks should demonstrate the added value of international collaboration for their research program.

Networks should strive to advance knowledge on a defined theme, which may cover a variety of interrelated topics or subjects, by capitalizing on the resources and multidisciplinary expertise available within the network. Their overarching principal aim might be, for example, to test aspecific hypothesis, to seek to understand a fundamental mechanistic question, to attempt a breakthrough on a particularly difficult research problem, or to propose a big new idea in cardiovascular or neurovascular research. Network activities should be oriented towards longterm goals, not at producing pre-defined results.

Leducq Foundation accepts applications in basic, translational, and clinical science, including collaborative “bench to bedside and back” programs. Applicants should aim for results that, at the conclusion of the five-year term, have the potential to advance the diagnosis, management, or prevention of human disease, consistent with the overall mission of the Leducq Foundation. For clarity, however, it is not obligatory that a basic science network program contain a translational component. Rather, it is sufficient that the outcome of the network program is expected to have translational potential that can be further developed by appropriate parties in academia or industry. The selection committee will not generally look favorably on activities ordinarily best pursued by industry, such as high throughput chemical screening, or lead compound optimization.

Please see the program description for full details.

Overhead

Limited to 10% as dictated by sponsor policy. 

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

Applicants are advised to read the International Networks of Excellence Program Description for important information about the application process and Leducq Foundation policies.  Detailed instructions about the application submission are available on the Fluxx website and should be consulted in preparing the application.

The Leducq Foundation will notify applicants about the status of their applications following the fall meeting of the Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC), which will take place at the end of October. At that meeting, the SAC will select 8-14 network applicants to submit a full application, information about which will be provided at the time of notification. It is the express intention of the members of the SAC to limit requests for full applications to those proposals with a significant chance of success in the final round. Full applications are due in the foundation office in February 2025 and the final recommendation of the SAC, to select up to four networks for support, will be made at a meeting in May 2025. The Leducq Foundation Board of Directors will consider the SAC’s recommendation in early June 2025.

Please note that it is the policy of the Scientific Advisory Committee not to provide comments or feedback about unsuccessful LOI  applications.

Questions about the electronic submission process, application, or Leducq Foundation policy should be directed to the Leducq Foundation office at contact@flcq.org or viewed on our website at: www.flcq.org.

Additional Resources

Using RMS:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available internally through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Support for Knowledge Engagement:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation is available internally through the Knowledge Engagement Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KE team at knowledge.engagement@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information, please visit the KE team webpage.

Support for Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@libanswers.ucalgary.com and/or visit https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/researchdatamanagement.

Support for EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice. Contact Erin.OToole@ucalgary.ca for more information.