Clinical Translation Start Trials

Overview - Clinical Translation Start Trial Program (ClinicStarT)

In order to strengthen patient-centred clinical research, the IZKF Münster funds time-limited innovative concepts and science-driven own ideas ("Investigator-initiated trials", IITs) for clinical trials, which are intended to close the funding gap between findings from basic research and patient-centred research and to bring the findings into clinical trials. The fundamental goal of this new IZKF funding format is to increase the implementation of early IITs/pilot studies in the Medical Faculty.

Aim	Strengthening patient-centred clinical research by funding of innovative concepts and science-driven own ideas in pilot studies ("Investigator-initiated trials", IITs) for clinical trials.
Call for applications	The call for applications for this funding format is made annually in the month of February for funding that will begin on 1st January of the following year. Calls for pre-proposals will be announced on the homepages of the IZKF and the Faculty of Medicine. In addition, details of the call will be communicated via E-Mail to all faculty members
Funding duration & volume	Start-up funding for clinical trials financed by third-party funds; maximum funding volume EUR 200.000 for 2 years with flexible use of funds. A further EUR 40.000 are possible for an experimental pilot project derived from the study.
Application requirements	High scientific originality and quality as well as direct clinical relevance are necessary for all studies. Study proposals must fit into the research priorities of the IZKF; published preliminary work on the topic and at least one ongoing third-party funding are basic requirements. Preliminary work must plausibly indicate a clinical application of the findings obtained from basic research. Regulatory classification of the study idea through a study consultation by a Coordination Centre for Clinical Trials is required before submitting a proposal. Applicants must be experienced in conducting clinical studies. Furthermore, a clear agreement to submit a follow-up application to external third-party funders such as the DFG program "Clinical Studies", BMBF, Deutsche Krebshilfe, etc. should be made.
How to apply	Pre-proposals should be submitted via the online portal OLA.
Selection	The review is carried out in two-stages. The Internal Research Council initially evaluates the project pre-proposals. Applicants for project outlines that have been positively evaluated by the Research Council are asked to submit a full application, which will be presented to the external scientific advisory board of the IZKF. The Advisory Board formulates a recommendation or rejection or a ranking with several positive votes. The votes of the individual advisory board members or additional experts remain anonymous. The votes of the Scientific Advisory Board are binding. The start of the pilot study depends on the positive vote of the ethics committee and any other contractual regulations.

ClinicStarT project guidelines

General information about the program and call 2024
ClinicStart Grant - Application guidelines
Leaflet 02.10 (in German)

ClinicStart Grant - FAQs
Leaflet 02.12 (in German)