François Aupetit Association - Research Grants of the François Aupetit Association

What you get

Your team will receive up to 25,000 EUR for one year to carry out a research project on chronic inflammatory bowel diseases, namely Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Each year, a total of 200,000 EUR is allocated to between approximately 9 and 10 projects. The funding comes from afa Crohn RCH France, a French patient organisation financed by donations and membership fees. The jury places particular emphasis on projects that can provide rapid relief to patients.

Who can apply

• Who applies: A clinical or research team submits a project proposal; it is not submitted by an individual researcher. There are no restrictions regarding the academic qualification or career stage of the team members.
• Location: Your team must be based in France.
• Field: Your project must be an independent piece of research on the topic of inflammatory bowel disease. It may take the form of basic research, clinical or epidemiological research, or patient-centred research that brings together several disciplines.
• What the jury looks for: An innovative project that meets the tender requirements, is feasible within the budget you have provided, could benefit patients in the near future, and is led by an experienced team with sound ethical principles.

How to apply

You must submit a detailed project dossier containing an easy-to-understand summary in French, setting out the context, objectives, methods and expected results. The deadline for submissions is midnight on 10 October; no submissions will be accepted after this date. The AFA’s Scientific Committee will review each project with two reviewers and announce the winners in December.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding programme is narrowly defined: only French teams specialising specifically in inflammatory bowel diseases are eligible to apply, and each year approximately 9 to 10 receive funding. If your project clearly fits the theme and demonstrates rapid, tangible benefits for patients, your chances are good. A compelling, feasible application dossier with a clear clinical benefit is what sets applicants apart from the rest.