Merck Serono calls for final applications for Grant for Growth Innovation scheme

Merck Serono has offered a reminder that scientists have only a month left to apply for support through its Grant for Growth Innovation scheme.

Designed to help fund innovative projects to advance understanding in the field of growth, the programme will see the company offering grants totalling up to 400,000 euros (315,250 pounds) to one or more selected projects.

Applications will close on January 6th 2015, with initial submissions containing a letter of intent and a brief description of the research project, which will then be evaluated by an independent scientific steering committee of internationally-renowned endocrinologists.

Successful applicants will then have the opportunity to develop the full protocol for a second round of consideration. The winners will be announced at the European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology meeting in October 2015.

Steven Hildemann, global chief medical officer and head of global medical and safety operations at Merck Serono, said: "The Grant for Growth Innovation demonstrates our support for novel scientific proposals by researchers seeking to accelerate understanding of growth disorders, improve adherence and deliver better outcomes for patients."

The company has set up a number of funding schemes of this kind, including the related Grant for Fertility Innovation programme.