LMU's medical faculty: Over 11 million euros in research funding for neuroscience

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Within the funding program “PROMISE,” clinically active researchers with a focus on neurological diseases like stroke, Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease are supported. The aim of the funding is to translate groundbreaking research findings into patient care as quickly as possible.

The BMFTR initiative supports the implementation of innovative, model-based concepts for Advanced Clinician Scientist programs at university medical centers. “The rapid development of diagnostic and therapeutic options for neurological diseases presents new challenges for both research and patient care. Addressing these challenges requires an interdisciplinary program that adopts and further develops innovative research approaches,” explains Professor Martin Dichgans, spokesperson and one of the four principal investigators of PROMISE.

Through the BMFTR funding, at the LMU Hospital 12 early-career scientists will be supported who are active both clinically and in research (“Clinician Scientists”). PROMISE ensures that competitively selected specialist physicians are able to balance research with clinical duties as well as family and professional life, and additionally offers a comprehensive qualification and mentoring program.

Outstanding Clinician Scientists are thus given the opportunity to establish a strong scientific profile and to qualify for a professorship or an equivalent leadership position in research and patient care. “This offers successful applicants a highly attractive and long-term career perspective and will help us inspire students as well as physicians at the beginning of their postgraduate training to pursue an academic career in university medicine,” says Professor Markus M. Lerch, Medical Director and Chairman of the Board of the LMU University Hospital.

“For medicine at a world-class level, the close integration of patient care and research is essential,” says University President Professor Matthias Tschöp. “The fact that the BMFTR supports us in this endeavor shows that this reality, which is actively practiced at LMU, is also being recognized and acknowledged in Berlin.”

The new program is to be integrated into the already established “Medical & Clinician Scientist Program“ (MCSP), which provides structured training and support for early-career researchers at the Medical Faculty of the LMU. “Currently, 42 Clinician Scientists and 8 Advanced Clinician Scientists are already being funded through MCSP.

With the Comprehensive Neuroscience (PROMISE) program, the network of early-career physician scientists will be strengthened and the existing neuroscience research focus at the Medical Faculty will be further expanded,” explains Professor Thomas Gudermann, Dean of the Medical Faculty of the LMU