BMFTR – Strengthening Gender-Sensitive Pre-Clinical Research

Funding is provided for pre-clinical research projects in Germany that provide new insights into possible gender differences in disease mechanisms and significantly advance the development of new, gender-sensitive diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for various clinical conditions. 

The funding initiative ‘Strengthening Gender-Sensitive Pre-Clinical Research‘ (Förderung von Projekten zur Stärkung der geschlechtersensiblen präklinischen Forschung) was launched by Bundesministerium für Forschung, Technologie und Raumfahrt (BMFTR – Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space). The aim of this funding scheme is to ensure that pre-clinical research into disease mechanisms and the development of diagnostic and therapeutic approaches is gender-sensitive. The findings are intended to provide a reliable evidence base for further development throughout the translational chain and to contribute to improved medical care for all genders in the future.

Funding is provided for projects of clinical relevance that investigate gender differences in disease mechanisms and contribute to the development of gender-sensitive diagnostic and therapeutic approaches. The focus should be on research questions where gender aspects have been inadequately addressed in previous research.

Examples of relevant research topics include:

• Investigation of potential sex differences in response to existing therapies in cell or animal models.
• Development and validation of animal models and cell culture models that take potential sex differences into account.
• Gender-sensitive investigation of molecular and cellular disease mechanisms.
• Development of gender-sensitive diagnostic procedures, therapies and risk prediction for specific diseases.
• Development of new medicines or gender-sensitive analysis of the mechanism of action of already authorised medicines in cell or animal models.
• Validation or development of gender-sensitive biomarkers for the efficacy of therapies.

In addition to the standard research projects, BMFTR will also fund a complementary, overarching coordination and translation project. The supplementary project will coordinate between the funded projects, strengthen networking, initiate joint meetings and organise joint public relations activities.