Open Calls

CARE makes available several different research funding mechanisms to fit a range of profiles and levels of experience.

Flagship projects are expected to develop and implement a specific solution with measurable outcomes, demonstrated critical mass, and within a tangible timeframe.

Proof-of-concept (POC) projects are expected to support the development of an initial research idea designed to demonstrate novelty, relevance and potential for further development. For example, this could be preliminary data collection or analysis, aimed at testing whether a concept or theory can be translated into a practical application.

Junior Clinician Grants are aimed at residents and junior specialists within 10 years of obtaining their medical degree (integrated Master’s degree). Successful candidates will benefit from i) funding to kick-start a clinical research project and ii) mentoring with a senior clinician and a researcher.

All calls consider research topics within the disease-specific missions framework of GIMM CARE and/or digital transformation within healthcare.

For any questions, please contact care@gimm.pt

Evaluation Panel 2025-2026

Vall D’Hebron Research Institute Internal Assessment Committee (Various) – here
Albino Oliveira-Maia, MD PhD (Neuropsychiatry)
Carla Oliveira, PhD (Oncology)
Joana Paredes, PhD (Oncology)
Luísa Salter-Cid, PhD (Immunology)
Tiago Oliveira, MD PhD (Neuroscience)
Susana Vacas MD PhD (Pain)
Helena Deus PhD (Translational Medicine Data)
Moisés Mallo, MD PhD (Development)
Cristóvão Sousa, PhD (Functional genomics, Chair)

Proof of Concept (POC) Grant

Who: Clinician-researcher teams with any level of research experience
Funding: Up to 50K
Implementation Period: Up to 18 months
Call Frequency: Bi-annual (January + June)
Evaluation Panel: CARE Direction and invited experts (tailored to submitted projects)

Important Dates:

Next call opens: June 2026 TBC
Next call closes: June 2026 2026
Communication of results: September 2026
Grant start dates: To be agreed with awardees

Documents

Flagship Project Grants

Who: Project co-led by an MD and a PhD Researcher or led by an MD PhD
Funding: Up to 200K
Implementation Period: Up to 3-year projects (clinical or translational)
Call frequency: Annual
Evaluation Panel: CARE Direction and invited experts (tailored to submitted projects)

Important Dates:

Next call opens: September 2026
Next call closes: October 2026
Communication of results: TBC
Grant start dates: To be agreed with awardees

Junior Clinician Grant

Who: Junior clinicians (residents, junior specialists, up to 10 years from obtaining medical degree) working at the ULS Santa Maria (2025 call)
Funding: Up to 20K
Implementation Period: 12-18 months
Scope: Mentoring program with co-supervision by a senior clinician and a researcher working at GIMM; co-development of a research idea
Call Frequency: Annual (September)
Evaluation Panel: CARE Direction and invited experts (tailored to submitted projects)

Important Dates:

Next call opens: November 2026
Next call closes: December 2026
Communication of results: TBC
Grant start dates: To be agreed with awardees and mentors

Closed Calls

Flagship Call 2024 | Awardees:
- ENHANCE SEPSIS (Susana Fernandes)
- GEN-IEI Genetic Workup for Inborn Errors of Immunity (Susana Lopes da Silva)
Junior Clinician Grant 2025 | Awardees:
- Ana Araújo (Unidade de Orto-Geriatria, ULSSM)
- Diana Alves (OB-GYN, ULSSM)
- João Melão (Estomatologia, ULSSM)
Flagship Call 2025 | Awardees:
- HERO (Ana Berta Sousa, Maria Carmo-Fonseca)
- SEPSIS-ATLAS (Daniel Costa Gomes, Miguel Soares)