Serbian Clinical Immunology Fund
Funds of up to £3000 will support clinical immunology initiatives between Newcastle, UK and Serbia.
Applications to the Lilic-Abinun fund are now open.
This fund is a bequest that will become fully functional in the future, but applications are currently invited for limited grants to ensure smooth functioning.
Application deadlines are annual in the last week of May. Proposals will be assessed by an independent panel appointed by Newcastle University.
This exchange is between candidates from Serbia and candidates from Newcastle / North-East UK.
Funds are intended to enable and enhance the practice of all areas of clinical immunology in Serbia in ANY of the following activities:
- adult and paediatric clinical immunology services
- diagnostic services
- research
Special consideration will be given to projects promoting forging of contacts and establishing collaboration in any of the above areas.
Proposals
Project proposals / educational activities should support and promote:
- reciprocal exchange of knowledge
- forging of contacts
- current and future collaborations
Proposals from Serbia-based candidates coming to Newcastle
- candidates (including doctors, nurses, technicians etc) attending as visiting clinical observers
- candidates visiting clinical diagnostic laboratories to acquire new skills
- candidates participating in ongoing research projects relating to primary immune deficiencies but also other areas relevant to clinical immunology
- attending educational events with participation of Newcastle University
- acquiring equipment / regents for the advancement of research in Serbia (limited funds up to £1500)
Proposals from Newcastle-based candidates going to Serbia
- organising workshops and training courses in Serbia
- organising standardisation procedures and promoting accreditation of clinical and laboratory services in Serbia
- candidates from Newcastle taking part in ongoing research projects in Serbia
Awards
Candidates can apply for sums of up to £3000. Projects run for up to six months. The support and duration are flexible but must be justified in the project proposal. Possible exceptions are at the discretion of the selection panel.
Candidates
Eligible candidates include medical staff, clinical scientists, scientists and academics working in all areas relating to clinical immunology. Candidates working in the field of primary immune deficiencies will have an advantage, but all areas relating to clinical immunology will be included. Candidates should be:
- Serbian or UK nationals or residents
- working in Serbia or Newcastle
- proposing to work with host institutions in the alternate location
There is no age restriction, but candidates already established in their field will have preference.
Host institutions
Applicants must have been in contact with their proposed host organisation and submit a letter of support as evidence.
Host Institutions Newcastle
Newcastle's host institutions include the University's Faculty of Medical Sciences. Linked NHS Teaching Hospitals in Newcastle and the North East are also involved.
For enquiries regarding accommodation in Newcastle please visit the Newcastle University accommodation pages.
Additional funds required for “cost of living” i.e. subsistence costs (accommodation and food) should be aligned with Newcastle University estimates for students/ postgraduates and consequently for visiting fellows. This is currently at £1300 per month or £325 per week and is the amount that will be approved. View more information on Cost of Living in Newcastle.
Host Institutions Serbia
Serbia's host institutions include Medical Faculties at accredited Universities, including linked teaching hospitals throughout Serbia, in Belgrade, Novi Sad, Nis, and Kragujevac.
Contact
If you have any queries please email the Immunity and Inflammation research theme lead.
For technical help with the application form email Elaine Stephenson or click on the Email web editor link at the bottom of the webpage.
Final Reports
Access final reports from previous successful Trust Fund candidates below:
Papers published acknowledging Trust Funding
View papers that acknowledge Trust Funding:
Ivana Stojanovic et al Molecules (PDF: 900KB)
Tamara Sakside et al Molecules (PDF: 1.5MB)
How to apply
Applications to the Lilic-Abinun fund are now open. Deadlines are annual in the last week of May.
Candidates should complete the online application form.
Applicants will need:
- details of the host organisation
- a named sponsor from the organisation
- a letter of support from the host
- letter of support from the applicant's home institution
- their latest CV
- project proposal, no more than 1000 words. This must include defined aims, objectives and outcome measures
- statement of anticipated impact for the advancement of clinical immunology, no more than 200 words
- detailed justification of funds requested, no more than 500 words
Within six months of project completion you will submit a final report to the Selection Panel, Host Institution and to fms.communications@newcastle.as.uk who will upload it to the website. They will assess the report against anticipated objectives and outcomes. The report will become accessible on this website.
The award selection panel contains members from the Newcastle host institutions including:
- adult and paediatric clinical immunologists
- clinical scientists in diagnostic laboratories relevant to clinical immunology
- scientists and academics conducting research in the field of clinical immunology
About the fund
Associate Professors Desa Lilic and Mario Abinun are medical doctors. They graduated at Belgrade and Sarajevo University respectively in the former Yugoslavia.
Both focused their clinical and research interests on immunology. They were active participants of the prestigious Yugoslav Immunology Society. They were also founding members of the European Society for Immune Deficiency.
Professor Abinun and his team conducted the first bone marrow transplantation in a child with severe combined immune deficiency. This was back in 1990 in the former Yugoslavia and Professor Lilic and her team prepared the bone marrow.
In 1992, both came to Newcastle, UK. Professor Abinun came to the newly-opened NHS paediatric Bone Marrow Transplantation Unit.
Professor Lilic established her research group at Newcastle University. She also set up Clinical Immunology Diagnostic Laboratories at the James Cook University Hospital in Middlesbrough and University Hospital of North Durham.
She established specialised Candidiasis clinics at the Royal Victoria Infirmary in Newcastle. The clinics focus on patients with Chronic Candidiasis, a topic prominent in her academic research.