Applications are now open for the 4th edition of the FLAD Science Award on Mental Health. The award, the largest in Portugal to support research in Mental Health, will fund the winning project by 300 thousand euros. This year, the jury will have the participation of psychiatrist Daniel Sampaio. Apply by November 30th.

After the choice of Pedro Morgado, psychiatrist and researcher at the University of Minho, in 2021, Manuela Silva, psychiatrist and researcher at Santa Maria Hospital, in 2022, and Nuno Madeira, psychiatrist and researcher at the University of Coimbra, in 2023, the FLAD Science Award Mental Health is back. This is the largest prize for investigating Mental Health issues in Portugal, an area of fundamental importance and that has had greater visibility since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since 2023, the application criteria have been changed to include an extension of the number of years considered the limit since the completion of the PhD from 8 to 10 years, and also the suspension of the counting of time for the purposes of maternity and parental leave. We believe that the absence of this safeguard harmed mostly women, who saw limited opportunities to compete for these kinds of opportunities.

Key areas of research for the 2024 edition

The focus is on developing new clinical approaches, from prevention to treatment and rehabilitation. The idea is that these approaches reflect a better understanding of the impact of different factors – biological, life experiences, family history, epidemiological, among others – on the development of mental disorders.

Key areas include autism spectrum disorders and other developmental disorders, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive syndrome, schizophrenia and other psychotic conditions, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias.

Award

The prize has the value of 300,000 euros, for a maximum of 3 years, which corresponds to the financing of 100,000 euros/year.

 

 

Applications

Any question related to the prize or the application process, please email fatima.fonseca@flad.pt

Jury

The evaluation shall be carried out by a scientific committee composed of:

  • Catarina Resende de Oliveira, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Coimbra, former Director of the Center for Neurosciences and Cell Biology, President of the Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation (AICIB).
  • Daniel Sampaio, Psychiatrist, Emeritus Full Professor of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Founder of the Portuguese Society of Family Therapy.
  • Margaret Lanca, Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, President of the Massachusetts Psychological Association, and Director of Adult Neuropsychology and Psychological Testing and Training at Cambridge Health Alliance.

Candidates profile

  • Doctorate, no later than 10 years at the opening date of the contest.
  • Counting the years after the completion of the doctorate will take into account maternity and paternity leave. In case of maternity, 18 months will be subtracted from the counting of years after the completion of the doctoral degree, for each child born after obtaining that degree. In the case of parental leave, the months of proven leave will be subtracted.
  • To be associated with a research center recognized by FCT (Science and Technology Foundation) in the area of Mental Health and clinical research.
  • Have the support of the health unit and research center associated with the research plan.
  • Research in Portugal, independently, autonomously, and with scientific quality.
  • Include a research interaction with a United States entity.

Selection

The prize will be awarded after an analysis of the applications in two phases:

  • 1st Phase: The first phase of applications takes place between November 1st and 30th, 2023, focusing on the candidate’s scientific and professional curriculum, and on the main ideas presented in the research proposal.
    The candidates selected in the first phase will be known by January 15, 2024
  • Phase 2: The best qualified candidates in the first phase are invited to participate in a second phase of application. The submission of proposals takes place between January 15 and February 15, 2024. A final interview can also be anticipated.

The final results will be known on March 31, 2024.

For more information, read the notice for this call: FLAD Science Award Mental Health 2024