Selection of promising projects
“The additional funds coming in through donations go to a limited number of projects that are selected very strictly,” explains Prof Dr Maarten Naesens, nephrologist and chair of the independent jury that assesses the research projects eligible for this funding.
Which research is the most innovative, has the greatest chance of success and can do the most for patients? All these factors play a role in deciding which projects receive additional funding.
Prof Dr Maarten Naesens, nephrologist
“Together with doctors and researchers from various disciplines, we look, among other things, at how promising a project is. Which research is the most innovative and has the greatest chance of success? Which research can bring the most benefit to patients? We also consider whether the project offers opportunities to collaborate with KU Leuven or with other European academic hospitals in the EUHA network. All of these factors influence our decision.”
Local clinical research
“Donations are only awarded to research projects that are started up and carried out by doctors and researchers within UZ Leuven,” Professor Naesens explains. “They always start from a concrete patient problem that they encounter in their daily work, so typically very close to clinical practice. This patient-driven approach often has a large impact in itself and also lays the foundations for larger-scale research projects that may later be funded by public authorities or pharmaceutical companies.”
This local, patient-driven research can form the basis for more large-scale research projects.Prof Dr Maarten Naesens, nephrologist
“This form of local funding gives doctors and researchers at UZ Leuven the opportunity to explore in depth a clinically relevant research question for which no external sponsorship is yet available. As a jury, we assess how promising these projects are. The Clinical Trial Center then comes into play, safeguarding the quality of every research project within UZ Leuven and coordinating research activities. Finally, the Ethics Committee also gives its opinion on each clinical study. Together, we ensure that all funds are allocated carefully to high-quality, promising projects with a major impact on healthcare.”