Breaking news! PReS Supported PReSTAR Grant!
Date: 17.09.2025
PReS and PReSTaR are happy to announce the first call for new projects to be developed and conducted within the framework of the cooperation between the PReS Working Parties and PReSTaR, the newly established PReS research network.
What is the main objective of this initiative?
The objective is to foster excellence in the field of Paediatric Rheumatology by supporting the implementation of translational and clinical research and by linking clinical and academic centers with PReS working parties. We warmly encourage WPs to participate in this call by submitting original projects that can help advance paediatric rheumatology research and contribute to improving the care and lives of children with rheumatic diseases.
Which types of studies are eligible for submission?
As part of the PReSTaR's mission, the grant may support a wide range of studies in pediatric rheumatology, including observational studies, translational and basic science projects, pilot or feasibility studies, qualitative research, health services research, and educational or methodological projects. The grant may also enable the extension of already existing national clinical trials to an international level. This list of objectives, though ambitious, is not exhaustive and PRES and PRESTAR remain open to evaluate new ideas and forms of collaborative research projects.
Important: if you are considering submitting a project aimed at establishing a new international disease registry, please note that PReS and PReSTaR are currently working on the launch of a call focused on registries. The purpose will be to collect real-world data and define the natural history of rare juvenile rheumatic diseases. The upcoming call, expected to be published in the next few months, may also facilitate international studies on biomarkers, genetics, and immunological abnormalities associated with these conditions. We encourage you to stay tuned for further updates!
What kind of support will the awarded project receive?
In this 2025 call, the awarded project will receive financial and operational support for a total of three years. PReS will provide the winning project with a financial contribution of €10,000/year (for a total of €30,000), primarily to support personnel, meetings, and networking. Additionally, the PRESTAR Team will contribute the equivalent of €30,000 in workforce, offering technical, administrative, and scientific support for the implementation of international collaborative studies (feasibility, databases, ethics committee submissions, quality checks on data collection, support in the publication phase, etc.).
Which are the main requirements to participate?
• Applying PI and co-PI must be members of a PReS WP2.0 and hold a valid PReS membership (please contact presmembership@mci-group.com for further information);
• At least one between PI and co-PI must be aged up to 40 years;
• The support requested to PReSTaR must be clearly described in the proposal;
• The proposed project should involve at least three countries; the partners involved in the proposal must provide a formal letter of support to the PI on their institution’s letterhead with a clear indication of their role in the project;
• Patient associations/representatives must be involved in the definition of the research needs and in the design of the proposal.
Are there any other elements that PReS and PReSTaR may take into consideration during the evaluation process?
• At least one among the applying PI and CoPI of the project and their home institution should be based in a European Paediatric Rheumatology Centre;
• The applying PI should state whether the proposed project has already received any additional sources of funding from other organizations/entities and how these will be used in the implementation of the project;
• A specific proposal cannot be submitted for evaluation for more than two consecutive calls
How can a researcher submit a project, and when does the call close?
The official project proposal template for the 2025 Call of the PReS-supported PReSTaR Grants can be found by clicking here. If you wish to participate, please complete it and submit your proposal via email to PReSTaR@gaslini.org. Proposals not using the official template may be excluded from evaluation. For any inquiries, please contact the PReSTaR Coordinating Centre (PReSTaR@gaslini.org).
The deadline for presentation of the projects is December 15th, 2025.
How will proposals be evaluated?
After the call’s deadline, the proposals will undergo peer review by a group of selected members from PReS as well as the PReSTaR Scientific Committee and Board of Trustees.
PReS Research Committee,
PReSTaR Scientific Committee
