The Fund Stéphanie Willems is launching a first call for research projects in the field of polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) and giant cell arteritis (GCA) in Belgium. Projects improving insight into the pathogenesis but also into clinical issues in diagnosis and disease management will qualify for funding.
Projects that would qualify for funding should lead to:
- a better understanding of the immuno-pathogenesis and eventual to novel therapeutics. Identifying prognostic markers predicting vascular complications or chronicity also qualifies for funding.
- understanding the position of GP’s in the diagnosis and management. Recommendations and implementation of the use of red flags for referral to specialist care are needed in Belgium.
- more insight into correct glucocorticoid use and the place of disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) in a therapeutic strategy.
- a better understanding of the specific burden for the elder population and development and/or validation of PRO’s in this population.
Collaboration between clinicians and academic researchers is strongly encouraged. Interdisciplinarity and multicentricity are also strongly encouraged.
Who is it for?
The call is open to researchers in Belgium working in an academic centre, university hospital, university college or research centres who have obtained at least a doctoral degree.
