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Pilot or exploratory grants

Jerome Lejeune Foundation

For early stage research projects built on preliminary data or small projects that complement larger primary projects.

Principal investigators of any nationality and that hold a long term appointment within an academic institution, at least for the duration of the research project. Applicants must demonstrate an excellent track record and submit an outstanding proposal.

Twice a year, the Fondation Jérôme Lejeune launches calls to support fundamental, translational and clinical research projects that will strengthen the understanding, deepen the knowledge and/or will explore new therapeutic approaches for Down syndrome and other genetic diseases with intellectual disability.

The Autumn call is exclusively dedicated to Trisomy 21 research while the Spring call is aiming at supporting fundamental, translational and clinical research programs related to research on intellectual deficiencies of genetic origin solely with the exclusion of Trisomy 21.

How are projects selected?

Projects will be evaluated and ranked by the Scientific Advisory Board of the Fondation Jérôme Lejeune. External experts will be asked to review the projects if needed.

The Board of Directors of the Fondation Jérôme Lejeune will take the final decision based upon the recommendations of the Scientific Advisory Board and external reviewers.

Selection is based on compliance with the eligibility criteria, scientific excellence, novelty, feasibility and potential impact on clinical or therapeutic applications.

How much money is awarded?

Both schemes provide funding for up to 2 years:

Pilot or exploratory grants
€50.000 over 2 years

The number of funded projects will depend on the annual budget allocated by the Fondation Jérôme Lejeune to the calls.

When can I apply?

Autumn Call

Open from early-July to mid-August and is exclusively dedicated to research on Trisomy 21.

Spring Call

Open in February and is dedicated to intellectual deficiencies of genetic origin solely, with the exclusion of Trisomy 21.

Intellectual deficiencies such as Fragile X syndrome, Cri du chat syndrome, Rett syndrome, Williams-Beuren syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, Angelman syndrome, Smith-Magenis syndrome among others. Autism not linked to the above diseases is excluded from this call.

How to apply?

Applications can only be submitted through our online application system.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Direct focus on Down syndrome or genetic intellectual disabilities (highest predictor)

This is the strongest predictor.

Competitive projects should focus directly on:

Down syndrome (Trisomy 21)
Fragile X syndrome
Rett syndrome
Angelman syndrome
Williams–Beuren syndrome
Prader–Willi syndrome
Smith–Magenis syndrome
Cri du Chat syndrome
Other genetic intellectual disabilities

The Foundation operates two major grant calls:

Spring Call: genetic intellectual disabilities excluding Down syndrome
Autumn Call: exclusively dedicated to Down syndrome (Trisomy 21).

2. Strong therapeutic potential (very high predictor)

The Foundation's primary goal is to support research that can ultimately lead to therapies or interventions.

Competitive proposals should demonstrate potential to:

Improve cognition
Improve memory or learning
Improve speech and communication
Improve neurological function
Develop drug targets
Enable new therapeutic strategies
Improve patient health and quality of life

Projects that identify actionable therapeutic targets are particularly well aligned with the Foundation's mission.

3. Scientific excellence (very high predictor)

The Foundation explicitly states that projects are selected based on scientific excellence.

Strong applications include:

Important scientific questions
Clear hypotheses
Rigorous methodology
Robust experimental design
Appropriate statistical analysis
Well-defined milestones

Applications undergo review by the Scientific Advisory Board and external experts.

4. Innovation and novelty (very high predictor)

Novelty is one of the Foundation's published evaluation criteria.

Competitive proposals often include:

New disease mechanisms
Novel biomarkers
Innovative therapeutic approaches
Gene regulation studies
New cellular or animal models
Advanced genomics
Emerging neurobiology techniques

Both pilot and advanced grants are intended to support creative research capable of significantly advancing the field.

5. Strong translational pathway (very high predictor)

The Foundation supports the entire research continuum:

Fundamental research
Translational research
Clinical research

The strongest applications explain how discoveries could progress toward:

Drug development
Biomarker validation
Clinical trials
Improved diagnosis
Rehabilitation strategies

A clear path from laboratory discovery to patient benefit is highly valued.

6. Clinical relevance and patient impact (high predictor)

Clinical research is one of the Foundation's strategic priorities.

Competitive studies may include:

Early-phase clinical studies
Patient cohorts
Epidemiological studies
Natural history studies
Clinical biomarkers
Rehabilitation interventions

Projects that demonstrate measurable benefits for patients or caregivers are particularly attractive.

7. Strong preliminary data matched to the funding mechanism (high predictor)

The Foundation distinguishes between:

Pilot/Exploratory Grants (€50,000): early-stage research with preliminary evidence.
Advanced Grants (€80,000): larger projects supported by substantial preliminary data.

Applications are strongest when the amount of preliminary evidence matches the requested grant type.

8. Cross-pathology relevance (high and distinctive predictor)

A distinctive aspect of the Foundation is its support for research on conditions associated with Down syndrome that also affect the general population.

Examples include:

Alzheimer's disease
Leukemia
Congenital heart disease
Sleep apnea
Immune disorders
Epilepsy

Projects that use Down syndrome research to generate broader biomedical insights may be particularly competitive.

9. Strong investigator and academic environment (high predictor)

Principal investigators should:

Hold a permanent academic appointment for the duration of the project.
Demonstrate an excellent research track record.
Conduct the work within an academic institution.

The Foundation also values access to appropriate facilities, collaborations, and institutional support.

10. Feasibility and potential clinical impact (very high predictor)

The Foundation explicitly evaluates proposals on:

Feasibility
Potential clinical or therapeutic impact

Strong proposals include:

Realistic timelines
Achievable milestones
Appropriate budgets
Practical implementation plans
Clear outcome measures

Reviewers look for projects that are both ambitious and realistically achievable within the funding period.

11. Compliance with ethical requirements (essential eligibility factor)

The Foundation has explicit ethical funding requirements.

Grant funds cannot be used for research involving:

Human embryonic tissues
Human fetal tissues
Biological material obtained through abortion
Material derived from IVF embryos
Human cloning
Creation of new human germinal cells

Compliance with these requirements is mandatory.

Specialties

Genetics & Genomics

Psychiatry

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Research proposals should cover at least one of the following areas:

Innovative fundamental research addressing the aetiology, pathogenesis and progression of the studied disease(s) condition and will generate new relevant knowledge of the disease(s).
Translational research answering a question of major interest that can have a positive impact on the health of patients.
Clinical research including early phase clinical studies, ancillary studies based on initiated or completed clinical trials, and studies involving patients in the pathophysiological analysis of their disease. These studies should generate novel strategies for diagnosis, therapy and/or rehabilitation.
Epidemiological studies including case-control, cohort, cross-sectional and intervention studies.
Neuropsychology studies and development or application of new techniques.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Jerome Lejeune Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 37 rue des Volontaires 75015 PARIS

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