vitiligo research foundation

Research Tools Research Tools

Research tools.

VR Foundation supports vitiligo research across the biomedical spectrum, from fundamental lab-based science to clinical trials, using collaboration tools.

We are dedicated to Open Source Research Concept - this means all our research data and bio samples are freely available to academic researchers.

The Numbers

These are the latest figures for the records and datasets you can access through our open resource research concept. The figures are updated on a regular basis.

• Number of biosamples available across the Vitiligo BioBank network 870 Whole blood and serum 1 062 Hair follicles
• Number of data sets stored or being transferred to the Vitiligo CloudBank 2834 Unique 3 117 Including repeat visits

Call for Proposals

General Call For Research Proposals 2021 is now CLOSED. However, if you believe that you have a research concept or a product that match the VRF’s focus and aims, please send us a brief Letter of Inquiry. There are NO application deadlines for inquiries, which are generally reviewed within two weeks upon receipt via email.

Your Letter of Inquiry must be short and succinct, and quickly tell us whether or not we want to know more about your proposal. If it is determined from the Letter of Inquiry that the request meets the Foundation’s priorities and interests, the applicant will be provided with the further instructions required to prepare and submit a formal Grant Application.

Eligibility

VR Foundation supports pre-competitive collaborative and independent research. Our grants support novel projects with great potential to produce breakthroughs in development of novel treatment modalities, drugs and diagnostic tools for vitiligo.

VRF supports research projects, which have one of the following goals:

to experimentally validate the perspective diagnostic methods, tools and treatments in vitiligo,

to develop technically sound realization of novel diagnostic tools, methods and treatment modalities for vitiligo which are based on firm scientific and experimental ground.

VRF will also support projects with an impact on current management of vitiligo patients.

Teams may be assembled from several institutions and should be comprised of highly experienced investigators capable of providing a solution to significant problem in vitiligo research.

Applications

• Pre-application Form
• Application Form

Two steps are generally required in the application process. First, the applicant should prepare a brief Letter of Inquiry to the Grant Program describing the applying organization and its intended project. If the Foundation determines the project to be within the current program interests as determined by its Board of Directors, the applicant will be invited to submit a pre-application form.

If invited to submit a formal proposal, the applicant should submit a full Application Form. It should include a more-thorough, yet still concise description of the project, its objectives and significance, and the qualifications of the groups and individuals involved in it. It should also include a project budget, the specific amount being sought from VR Foundation, and a list of its other sources of support, philanthropic or otherwise.

International teams are welcome. Submissions must meet all VRF eligibility and application requirements for consideration.

Review Process

All applications will be reviewed and ranked by the VRF Scientific Advisory Board, on a highly competitive basis. Committee members avoid evaluating applications from institutions with which they are associated, or where there may be a real or perceived conflict of interest.

Global Compliance

VR Foundation is committed to complying with the anti-corruption laws in all countries in which it finances projects or otherwise participates. Learn about our Commitment to Global Compliance

As with other non-profit organizations, the VR Foundation always received far more applications than it has funds to support. Even if a project fits within the criteria and priorities of the VRF, and a detailed assessment has been made, the Foundation may still be unable to provide a grant.

For more information, please email us at [email protected]

FAQ Other Questions

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Donate Today

Our work is entirely funded by private donations – we receive no money from government. Your money will help us continue funding research into vitiligo and supporting people affected by the condition.

Though it is not always easy to treat vitiligo, there is much to be gained by clearly understanding the diagnosis, the future implications, treatment options and their outcomes.

Many people deal with vitiligo while remaining in the public eye, maintaining a positive outlook, and having a successful career.

By taking a little time to fill in the anonymous questionnaire, you can help researchers better understand and fight vitiligo.

Project Background

The study of multifactorial diseases, such as vitiligo, requires analysis of complex interplay of symptoms, treatments and outcomes across a large number of people. Population surveys and biobanks are indispensable research tools, required for downstream therapy development. Even small collections of biosamples may be extremely precious for researcher in academic institution or biopharma company.

Until recently, vitiligo researchers were generally limited to conducting studies on patient samples they could acquire themselves. When the Foundation started there were no centralized biological database along with the pre-existing body of the clinical management or the historical study data, which is required in order to proceed with the development of specific therapies. We have run a special investigation study to determine whether VRF shall establish its own biobank.

Then the project's leadership crafted a careful strategy for vitiligo biobank development, with special attention paid to the security and confidentiality of the donor's information. 'Future proofing' involves collecting and processing samples to permit the widest possible range of scientific uses, while avoiding approaches that would impede possible future uses.

We have started the first Vitiligo Biobank with a 100+ sample collection from the completed research project in genetics in late January 2013. Three months later, it held approximately 1,000 biosamples and detailed clinical profiles. Our target number is 10,000 samples and we encourage patients to donate samples . The primary biorepository is located in Moscow (Russia) with networked locations in 11 countries.