Candidates who have been selected in the 1st phase can now complete their application for the largest Mental Health research award in Portugal. See below how to apply for the 2nd phase.

After the choice of Pedro Morgado, psychiatrist and researcher at Universidade do Minho, in 2021, Manuela Silva, psychiatrist and researcher at Santa Maria Hospital, in 2022, and Nuno Madeira, psychiatrist and researcher at Universidade de 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.

In the last edition, the application criteria were 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.

Promote clinical research of Mental Health in Portugal

The FLAD Science Award Mental Health, the biggest scientific award in Mental Health in Portugal, aims to support clinical research projects by psychologists, psychiatrists, family doctors, neurologists and other professionals in this area in Portugal, with cooperation in the United States.

But also to contribute to the quality of life of patients, at a time when the needs around Mental Health are even more evident.

Key areas of research for the 2024 edition

The focus is on developing new clinical approaches, which can be dedicated 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.

Among the areas considered key will be, not exclusively, qualified conditions in the spectrum of autism and other developmental diseases, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorders, obsessive-compulsive syndrome, Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia.

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.

Jury

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

  • Catarina Resende de Oliveira, Professor at the Faculty of Medicine of Universidade de 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, Universidade de Lisboa, 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 selected for the 2nd phase of the FLAD Science Award Mental Health will be able to complete their application between January 15 and February 15, 2024. If necessary, a final interview may be conducted.

Applications must be submitted starting January 15 on a specific form, available through the online application system, at the following link: https://flad.secure.force.com/CandidaturaMain?language=pt_PT.

Documents to include:

  • Applicant Biosketch;
  • US Collaborator Biographical Sketch;
  • US Collaborator Declaration (acceptance and collaboration);
  • Term of Responsibility (signed by the Responsible Portuguese Institution Official);
  • Health Care Unit Declaration;
  • Predictive research schedule;
  • Indicative Budget.

We advise you to read the notice of this contest (FLAD Science Award Mental Health), where you can find all the details about the award.

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

The final results will be made known to candidates by March 31, 2024.

Follow us through this website and our social media to stay briefed about the selection process.