Welcome to the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health.
As a leader in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health, Ferring is determined to play our part in reducing disparities and delivering better outcomes at every stage of the reproductive journey, from conception to birth.
Overview of the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health
Programme Objectives
As part of this commitment, the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health exists to better understand and, ultimately, drive solutions to tackle the disparities that exist in this area. In addition to addressing inequities faced by Black communities, indigenous communities, and all communities of colour, this year the grants programme is being expanded to address the inequities faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) communities as part of our ongoing commitment to building families of every shape and size.
The Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health aims to fund projects in basic and translational research, clinical research, epidemiology and prevention research and social science research.
What is of interest to Ferring
The Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health aims to fund multidisciplinary research projects across four main areas:
- Basic and translational research: research to further understanding of the reproductive and maternal health conditions that disproportionally affect Black communities, indigenous communities and all communities of colour, and result in a higher risk of morbidity or mortality. Conditions of interest include, but are not limited to: infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm birth, cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular conditions associated with maternal death, and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).
- Clinical research: research into the services available and clinical care of Black communities, indigenous communities, all communities of colour and LGBTQ+ communities during infertility diagnosis, pre-conception care, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatment, pregnancy, birth, postpartum (fourth trimester) care and reproductive mental wellbeing. Plus, insights into interventions aiming to reduce the impact of unconscious bias and discrimination in clinic settings, along with how services are addressing families of every shape and size in the delivery of reproductive care. Research proposals in this track should reflect the importance of the patient perspective in study design.
- Epidemiology and prevention research: epidemiological studies, including social, lifestyle, exposure and behavioural studies, seeking to understand the origins of racial disparities and LGBTQ+ in access to and outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), pregnancy, maternal health, postpartum health and reproductive mental wellbeing to ultimately drive solutions to tackle disparities in these areas.
- Social science research: including, but not limited to, political, policy and human rights research exploring the structural factors impacting Black communities, indigenous communities, all communities of colour and LGBTQ+ communities that limit access to and outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), pregnancy, maternal health and postpartum health outcomes. This could include research into the barriers to participation in clinical trials. Research proposals in this track should reflect the importance of the patient perspective in study design.
In addition, projects exploring the relationship between health outcomes during pregnancy, birth and COVID-19 infection are also welcomed. Any projects in this area should still be focused on the disparities faced by Black communities, indigenous communities, all communities of colour and LGBTQ+ communities.
Who should apply?
We encourage submissions from researchers and research organisations around the world who are committed to reducing racial and LGBTQ+ disparities in reproductive medicine and maternal health.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is committed to creating a diverse community and an inclusive culture which embraces, respects and values different perspectives and backgrounds. We encourage global researchers from diverse backgrounds to submit applications to the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health.
Available Funding
The program will provide a limited number of research grants of up to EUR 20,000 per research project.
Application Process and Requirements:
Applications will be open from 28th April 2022 to 24th July 2022.
For any questions about the grants programme, please contact EquityGrantsRMMH@ferring.com
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should hold an academic or research post.
- The Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health is targeted at funding research in Black communities, indigenous communities, all communities of colour as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) communities. Researchers at any academic or not-for-profit organization that represent, or are working with or for, affected communities are eligible to submit a proposal application (see below).
Application Process
- Applicants are required to submit a full proposal application (see below).
- Applicants will receive a confirmation email notification after submitting a completed application.
- Requests for clarification, additional information or modification will be sent to the applicant via email.
- Ferring will give careful consideration to all eligible requests based on relevance to our programme objectives, merit and available resources.
- Awards are granted on an annual basis, and previous funding is not a commitment to, or indicator of, future support.
- Applicants will be notified via email within 12 weeks of the submission deadline regarding the outcome of their application.
- Successful applicants will receive a confirmation of the grant amount.
- Ferring will expect a submission of the research findings to a reputable scientific journal. Publications must mention the financial support provided by Ferring to the project.
Application Requirements
The application process has been designed for ease of use and requires the following information:
- Investigator name, title and affiliation.
- Title (max. 20 words): The title should contain sufficient information to enable the reviewer to clearly understand the area of research, including indication area if applicable, and proposed target.
- Brief overview of project (max. 200 words): In this section please provide the background supporting the scientific hypothesis, if applicable. For social science project proposals of more explorative nature, please describe how research questions are grounded in existing literature.
- Scientific rationale and aims of the project (max. 500 words): In this section please provide the scientific rationale for your hypothesis and/or research questions and 2-3 specific aims proposed to test the hypothesis, along with a summary of the potential application of the findings. For more inductive social science project proposals, please provide a description of extant research, knowledge gaps and expected contributions to theory as well as to practice.
- The grant covers a workplan that is expected to last 12 months, however exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis.
- Amount of funding requested.
- Upload of a current résumé.
- Information provided in the application must be non-confidential in nature.
- Grants submissions do not need to address challenges faced by both communities of colour and LGBTQ+ communities.
Please note that submissions must be written in English to be accepted.
Grant recipients will be notified within 12 weeks of the closing date for applications.
Intellectual Property and license to data and results
Ferring does not intend to claim intellectual property on these grants. Ownership to data and results is assumed by the grant recipient and may be subject to the policies of the grant recipient’s institution. Ferring will be and is hereby granted a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, right and license (with the right to sublicense) to access, refer to, and otherwise use any and all anonymized research data, information, and other results generated as part of the project (collectively “the Results”) for internal educational, research and development purposes.
Review process
Applications will be judged against a standardised set of criteria by a diverse multidisciplinary panel from Ferring’s Equity in RMMH Review Panel.
We are particularly interested in funding research projects that:
- Highlight neglected disease areas
- Employ science and technology in new and interesting ways
- Facilitate participation and involvement of communities which have previously been marginalised
Individual feedback will not be provided for applications not selected for funding.
Reports
Ferring Grants for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health recipients will be required to provide a report of the anonymized findings and/or a manuscript for publication. A progress statement will be required every 6 months.
Change in Scope
Ferring Grants for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health recipients will be required to notify Ferring of any changes that may impact their ability to perform the work outline in their proposal. For example: change in institution of employment or affiliation, a change in their employment status, or unforeseen technical difficulties. In such events Ferring may, in its sole discretion, terminate the Grant, continue the Grant with a new Grant recipient, or transfer any remaining funding to another Grant recipient, individual, or entity.
Important Information Relating to the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health Process
- Support is based on individual merit relative to other grant requests in accordance with established guidelines and policies and will not be provided to induce the provision of services or promote, sell or prescribe a Ferring product.
- Grant applications must be submitted on behalf of institutions as grants will not be awarded to individuals.
- Ferring is unable to provide support for every request and may not be able to fund the entire requested amount.
- Previous support does not guarantee future support.
- Please do not submit requests that include funding for promotional programs, membership fees, sponsorships, medical missions, ads, medication, equipment or tuition.
- Please do not submit requests for exhibit/display booths, charitable contributions, promotional programs, membership fees, sponsorships, social events/entertainment, medical missions, ads, medication, equipment, tuition, or for non-faculty personnel or individual attendee expenses.
- As a condition for the receipt of the Grant, grant recipients will be requested to sign the Grant Award Agreement containing the binding terms and conditions for Grant awards. Awards are conditional until Grant Award Agreements have been signed. The Grant Award Agreement Form is incorporated into this Grant announcement by reference.
- Grant Award Agreements must also be signed by authorized representatives of the institutions to with grant applicants are associated or hold their employment.
Ferring’s support may never be made with the intent to, directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly, influence recipients to prescribe, purchase, recommend, sell or arrange for, or recommend the prescribing, purchasing or sale of any Ferring product or as a reward for any such past behaviour.
Financial Disclosure
In keeping with transparency compliance rules, Ferring will disclose annually all payments made under this Programme. Grant recipients agree to cooperate with Ferring and to provide Ferring with the information required in order for Ferring to comply with disclosure requirements associated with the Grant.
Data Privacy
Grant recipients understand and agree that their personal data, including names, addresses and e-mails, phone numbers, places of employment, titles and resumes will be stored and processed by Ferring and Ferring´s affiliates for the following purposes: to conduct its business operations, to meet its statutory and voluntary obligations under law and industry codes, and for the performance of the grant. Such personal data may be made available to government authorities in jurisdictions around the world and may be transmitted to countries around the world, including to countries whose data protection laws do not provide the same level of protection as that where they are located. Ferring will maintain appropriate technical and organizational security and safeguards to protect the collected personal data from any unauthorized access, corruption, misuse, destruction or unintended disclosure. Grant recipients may request access, amendment, blocking, or deletion of their personal data by Ferring and Ferring’s affiliates in accordance with applicable law.
Once the grant application process is finalized and the decision about grants have been made and communicated to grant applicants, personal data on those grant applicants that do not receive an award letter will be deleted. Personal data collected on grant applicants that are awarded will be stored for the duration of project and for no more than 10 years after its termination or expiration. After such period, Ferring will only continue to store the personal data to the extent that this is required according to legal obligations, if needed to document legal obligations or rights in connection with legal proceedings or if Ferring can demonstrate other legitimate interest in the continued processing of such personal data, in which case grant applicants will be notified of such reasons.
Reports of data incidents or suspected personal data breaches, submission of a request to exercise rights as a data subject, or contact to the Global Data Protection Officer with a general enquiry, can be done by utilizing the Data Subject Contact Form (https://ferring.ethicspoint.eu/custom/ferring/forms/data/form_data.asp). Alternatively, a mail to: “(Att.: Data Protection Officer) Ferring International Center S.A. Chemin De la Vergognausaz 50, 1162, St Prex Switzerland” or, at the EU Representative for GDPR, “(Att.: Data Protection Officer) Ferring International PharmaScience Center (IPC), Kay Fiskers Plads 11, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark.
For more information, please refer to www.ferring.com/privacy
Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health 2022
Welcome to the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health.
As a leader in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health, Ferring is determined to play our part in reducing disparities and delivering better outcomes at every stage of the reproductive journey, from conception to birth.
Overview of the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health
Programme Objectives
As part of this commitment, the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health exists to better understand and, ultimately, drive solutions to tackle the disparities that exist in this area. In addition to addressing inequities faced by Black communities, indigenous communities, and all communities of colour, this year the grants programme is being expanded to address the inequities faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) communities as part of our ongoing commitment to building families of every shape and size.
The Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health aims to fund projects in basic and translational research, clinical research, epidemiology and prevention research and social science research.
What is of interest to Ferring
The Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health aims to fund multidisciplinary research projects across four main areas:
- Basic and translational research: research to further understanding of the reproductive and maternal health conditions that disproportionally affect Black communities, indigenous communities and all communities of colour, and result in a higher risk of morbidity or mortality. Conditions of interest include, but are not limited to: infertility, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), uterine fibroids, gestational hypertension, preeclampsia, preterm birth, cardiomyopathy and other cardiovascular conditions associated with maternal death, and postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).
- Clinical research: research into the services available and clinical care of Black communities, indigenous communities, all communities of colour and LGBTQ+ communities during infertility diagnosis, pre-conception care, assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatment, pregnancy, birth, postpartum (fourth trimester) care and reproductive mental wellbeing. Plus, insights into interventions aiming to reduce the impact of unconscious bias and discrimination in clinic settings, along with how services are addressing families of every shape and size in the delivery of reproductive care. Research proposals in this track should reflect the importance of the patient perspective in study design.
- Epidemiology and prevention research: epidemiological studies, including social, lifestyle, exposure and behavioural studies, seeking to understand the origins of racial disparities and LGBTQ+ in access to and outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), pregnancy, maternal health, postpartum health and reproductive mental wellbeing to ultimately drive solutions to tackle disparities in these areas.
- Social science research: including, but not limited to, political, policy and human rights research exploring the structural factors impacting Black communities, indigenous communities, all communities of colour and LGBTQ+ communities that limit access to and outcomes of assisted reproductive technologies (ART), pregnancy, maternal health and postpartum health outcomes. This could include research into the barriers to participation in clinical trials. Research proposals in this track should reflect the importance of the patient perspective in study design.
In addition, projects exploring the relationship between health outcomes during pregnancy, birth and COVID-19 infection are also welcomed. Any projects in this area should still be focused on the disparities faced by Black communities, indigenous communities, all communities of colour and LGBTQ+ communities.
Who should apply?
We encourage submissions from researchers and research organisations around the world who are committed to reducing racial and LGBTQ+ disparities in reproductive medicine and maternal health.
Ferring Pharmaceuticals is committed to creating a diverse community and an inclusive culture which embraces, respects and values different perspectives and backgrounds. We encourage global researchers from diverse backgrounds to submit applications to the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health.
Available Funding
The program will provide a limited number of research grants of up to EUR 20,000 per research project.
Application Process and Requirements:
Applications will be open from 28th April 2022 to 24th July 2022.
For any questions about the grants programme, please contact EquityGrantsRMMH@ferring.com
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants should hold an academic or research post.
- The Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health is targeted at funding research in Black communities, indigenous communities, all communities of colour as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) communities. Researchers at any academic or not-for-profit organization that represent, or are working with or for, affected communities are eligible to submit a proposal application (see below).
Application Process
- Applicants are required to submit a full proposal application (see below).
- Applicants will receive a confirmation email notification after submitting a completed application.
- Requests for clarification, additional information or modification will be sent to the applicant via email.
- Ferring will give careful consideration to all eligible requests based on relevance to our programme objectives, merit and available resources.
- Awards are granted on an annual basis, and previous funding is not a commitment to, or indicator of, future support.
- Applicants will be notified via email within 12 weeks of the submission deadline regarding the outcome of their application.
- Successful applicants will receive a confirmation of the grant amount.
- Ferring will expect a submission of the research findings to a reputable scientific journal. Publications must mention the financial support provided by Ferring to the project.
Application Requirements
The application process has been designed for ease of use and requires the following information:
- Investigator name, title and affiliation.
- Title (max. 20 words): The title should contain sufficient information to enable the reviewer to clearly understand the area of research, including indication area if applicable, and proposed target.
- Brief overview of project (max. 200 words): In this section please provide the background supporting the scientific hypothesis, if applicable. For social science project proposals of more explorative nature, please describe how research questions are grounded in existing literature.
- Scientific rationale and aims of the project (max. 500 words): In this section please provide the scientific rationale for your hypothesis and/or research questions and 2-3 specific aims proposed to test the hypothesis, along with a summary of the potential application of the findings. For more inductive social science project proposals, please provide a description of extant research, knowledge gaps and expected contributions to theory as well as to practice.
- The grant covers a workplan that is expected to last 12 months, however exceptions will be considered on a case by case basis.
- Amount of funding requested.
- Upload of a current résumé.
- Information provided in the application must be non-confidential in nature.
- Grants submissions do not need to address challenges faced by both communities of colour and LGBTQ+ communities.
Please note that submissions must be written in English to be accepted.
Grant recipients will be notified within 12 weeks of the closing date for applications.
Intellectual Property and license to data and results
Ferring does not intend to claim intellectual property on these grants. Ownership to data and results is assumed by the grant recipient and may be subject to the policies of the grant recipient’s institution. Ferring will be and is hereby granted a worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free, right and license (with the right to sublicense) to access, refer to, and otherwise use any and all anonymized research data, information, and other results generated as part of the project (collectively “the Results”) for internal educational, research and development purposes.
Review process
Applications will be judged against a standardised set of criteria by a diverse multidisciplinary panel from Ferring’s Equity in RMMH Review Panel.
We are particularly interested in funding research projects that:
- Highlight neglected disease areas
- Employ science and technology in new and interesting ways
- Facilitate participation and involvement of communities which have previously been marginalised
Individual feedback will not be provided for applications not selected for funding.
Reports
Ferring Grants for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health recipients will be required to provide a report of the anonymized findings and/or a manuscript for publication. A progress statement will be required every 6 months.
Change in Scope
Ferring Grants for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health recipients will be required to notify Ferring of any changes that may impact their ability to perform the work outline in their proposal. For example: change in institution of employment or affiliation, a change in their employment status, or unforeseen technical difficulties. In such events Ferring may, in its sole discretion, terminate the Grant, continue the Grant with a new Grant recipient, or transfer any remaining funding to another Grant recipient, individual, or entity.
Important Information Relating to the Ferring Grants Programme for Equity in Reproductive Medicine and Maternal Health Process
- Support is based on individual merit relative to other grant requests in accordance with established guidelines and policies and will not be provided to induce the provision of services or promote, sell or prescribe a Ferring product.
- Grant applications must be submitted on behalf of institutions as grants will not be awarded to individuals.
- Ferring is unable to provide support for every request and may not be able to fund the entire requested amount.
- Previous support does not guarantee future support.
- Please do not submit requests that include funding for promotional programs, membership fees, sponsorships, medical missions, ads, medication, equipment or tuition.
- Please do not submit requests for exhibit/display booths, charitable contributions, promotional programs, membership fees, sponsorships, social events/entertainment, medical missions, ads, medication, equipment, tuition, or for non-faculty personnel or individual attendee expenses.
- As a condition for the receipt of the Grant, grant recipients will be requested to sign the Grant Award Agreement containing the binding terms and conditions for Grant awards. Awards are conditional until Grant Award Agreements have been signed. The Grant Award Agreement Form is incorporated into this Grant announcement by reference.
- Grant Award Agreements must also be signed by authorized representatives of the institutions to with grant applicants are associated or hold their employment.
Ferring’s support may never be made with the intent to, directly or indirectly, implicitly or explicitly, influence recipients to prescribe, purchase, recommend, sell or arrange for, or recommend the prescribing, purchasing or sale of any Ferring product or as a reward for any such past behaviour.
Financial Disclosure
In keeping with transparency compliance rules, Ferring will disclose annually all payments made under this Programme. Grant recipients agree to cooperate with Ferring and to provide Ferring with the information required in order for Ferring to comply with disclosure requirements associated with the Grant.
Data Privacy
Grant recipients understand and agree that their personal data, including names, addresses and e-mails, phone numbers, places of employment, titles and resumes will be stored and processed by Ferring and Ferring´s affiliates for the following purposes: to conduct its business operations, to meet its statutory and voluntary obligations under law and industry codes, and for the performance of the grant. Such personal data may be made available to government authorities in jurisdictions around the world and may be transmitted to countries around the world, including to countries whose data protection laws do not provide the same level of protection as that where they are located. Ferring will maintain appropriate technical and organizational security and safeguards to protect the collected personal data from any unauthorized access, corruption, misuse, destruction or unintended disclosure. Grant recipients may request access, amendment, blocking, or deletion of their personal data by Ferring and Ferring’s affiliates in accordance with applicable law.
Once the grant application process is finalized and the decision about grants have been made and communicated to grant applicants, personal data on those grant applicants that do not receive an award letter will be deleted. Personal data collected on grant applicants that are awarded will be stored for the duration of project and for no more than 10 years after its termination or expiration. After such period, Ferring will only continue to store the personal data to the extent that this is required according to legal obligations, if needed to document legal obligations or rights in connection with legal proceedings or if Ferring can demonstrate other legitimate interest in the continued processing of such personal data, in which case grant applicants will be notified of such reasons.
Reports of data incidents or suspected personal data breaches, submission of a request to exercise rights as a data subject, or contact to the Global Data Protection Officer with a general enquiry, can be done by utilizing the Data Subject Contact Form (https://ferring.ethicspoint.eu/custom/ferring/forms/data/form_data.asp). Alternatively, a mail to: “(Att.: Data Protection Officer) Ferring International Center S.A. Chemin De la Vergognausaz 50, 1162, St Prex Switzerland” or, at the EU Representative for GDPR, “(Att.: Data Protection Officer) Ferring International PharmaScience Center (IPC), Kay Fiskers Plads 11, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark.
For more information, please refer to www.ferring.com/privacy