The Demoucelle Parkinson Charity has announced two new awards for masters and PhD students that undertake research into Parkinson’s disease. The Brussels-based charity hopes that by supporting researchers early in their careers they will go on to pursue careers focused on finding a cure for the disease, which affects 40,000 Belgians today and is the world’s fastest-growing neurodegenerative condition.

“The current level of scientific research into Parkinson’s disease in Belgium is very high but to sustain, or even accelerate, the pace of discovery, it is vitally important that we inspire the next generation of scientists to focus their attention and skills on finding a cure for this terrible disease,’’ said Anne-Marie Demoucelle, co-founder of the Demoucelle Parkinson Charity. 

“We want to support researchers early in their careers in order to continue to have a pool of highly talented and experienced scientists passionate about curing Parkinson’s!’’

The Demoucelle Parkinson Charity will organise the masters thesis annual prize worth up to 1000 euros (maximum of two winners/year), and is collaborating with The Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) to set up the 2023 PhD fellowship of a doctoral scientist at a Belgian Flemish-speaking university (covering salary and working costs for 4 years).

“Thanks to the support of the Demoucelle Parkinson Charity, a young, promising researcher will have the opportunity to begin a PhD on Parkinson’s disease,” said Willy Verstraete, president of The Research Foundation – Flanders.

“In this way, scientific research into this serious neurodegenerative disease that affects millions of people worldwide will get an extra boost.”

Students can apply to both awards now. NOTE: Applications for the PhD fellowship closes on March 1, 2023. For detail on both awards and the application process, please see below and follow the links.

DETAIL:

  • An annual prize for the best masters thesis addressing any aspect of Parkinson’s disease – diagnosis, impact, care, treatment or cure.
  • Open to all students at Belgian universities and across all disciplines. (Click here for the application rules and process to be followed.)
  • Now accepting applications.

  • A PhD fellowship for a doctoral scientist researching an aspect of Parkinson’s disease that could improve further understanding of the disorder and lead to a cure. Awarded every two years.
  • Open in 2023, in collaboration with the Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO),to biomedical researchers affiliated to Flemish universities who apply for a PhD fellowship fundamental research or strategic basic research. (Click here). Now accepting applications. Deadline 1 March, 2023.
  • Open in 2025 to biomedical doctoral students at Belgian French-speaking universities.

ABOUT:

Parkinson’s disease is a neurodegenerative condition in which brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. Because PD can cause tremor, slowness, stiffness, and walking and balance problems, it is called a “movement disorder.” But constipation, depression, memory problems and other non-movement symptoms also can be part of Parkinson’s. Currently, there is no way to prevent or accurately predict who will develop Parkinson’s disease. There is no known cure, and available treatments only mask symptoms temporarily. Between 7 – 10 million people worldwide are living with Parkinson’s Disease. There are more than one million people living with Parkinson’s today in Europe; with an aging population, this figure is forecast to double by 2030. In Belgium, it is estimated that 40,000 people are living with the disease.

The Demoucelle Parkinson Charity aims to accelerate research to find a cure for Parkinson’s Disease within the next 10 years. In partnership with the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, it funds the most-promising research projects that seek to modify the disease, slow down its progression or even reverse it. Founded in 2011 by Patrick & Anne-Marie Demoucelle, following Patrick’s diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease aged 40, the charity s awareness and funds through its regular events and outreach.

The Research Foundation – Flanders (FWO) stimulates and financially supports fundamental scientific research, strategic basic research, clinical scientific research, the purchase of large-scale and medium-scale research infrastructure, and the management of large computing capacity in Flanders.

CONTACT:
Anne-Marie Demoucelle
Co-founder of the Demoucelle Parkinson Charity
anne-marie@demoucelle.com
0475 36 66 82