The present programme is part of the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research’s (BMBF) activities dealing with research into the ageing society and the funding of systems biology in Germany. It is based largely on medical genome research in Germany, which covers a broad range of areas and has a high international profile, and on the “Systems biology of the liver cell – HepatoSys” and “Medical systems biology – MedSys” programmes. The systems biology centres established in Germany as part of the BMBF’s “Research units of systems biology – FORSYS” programme will be of great importance for GerontoSys.

The GerontoSys funding programme is part of the German government’s high-tech strategy; it deals with current biodemographic developments and has initiated research activities for applications in medicine, basic research, translation of research, prevention, regeneration and medical technology. The new funding programme will also make important contributions to the “Pharmainitiative in Germany” programme and support the goal of further improving patient care in Germany and carrying out innovative research for a healthy and safer life.

Funding will be provided for:
- Establishment of systems biology research cores (division of work) at universities or research institutions combining relevant core competence under one roof. The research cores will deal with health during old age.

- Application-oriented cooperative projects: innovative systems biology issues of particular relevance to health in old age will be dealt with in an interdisciplinary approach, combining theory and practical work.

The projects can be funded for a period of up to five years (research cores) or up to three years (cooperative projects).

Systems biology research cores for health in old age will bring together "under one roof" the disciplines required for such an approach, including biology and medicine, mathematics, computer sciences, physics, chemistry, engineering sciences. The parties involved will work together on an interdisciplinary basis and divide the work between them. Existing and internationally renowned expertise in relevant research and development fields will have to be included in the projects.

Eligible for funding are universities, research institutions and industrial companies that are headquartered in Germany, in particular also small- and medium-sized companies.

The funding measure consists of two phases. In the first phase, proposals have to be submitted to the project management organisation by 1 December 2008in both hard copy and electronic form. The BMBF has commissioned its project management organisation, Research Centre Jülich GmbH, to coordinate the funding programme.

Source: BMBF press release - 15 July 2008


Further information:
Dr. Sabine Wiek
Tel.: +49 (0)2461 611 532
E-mail: s.wiek@fz-juelich.de