Bayer encourages NZ researchers to apply for grants

Bayer encourages NZ researchers to apply for grants

• Financial support of offer up to $200,000
• Global drive for innovative solutions
• Pharmaceuticals and crop protection targeted

Auckland, March 8, 2016 – Bayer New Zealand is encouraging researchers from universities, research institutes and start-up companies to apply for grants of up to $200,000 as part of Bayer’s global open innovation initiative “Grants4Targets”.

The web-based crowdsourcing initiative aims to not only provide financial support for promising proposals, but also offers access to different technologies to further research, which then may develop into regular scientific collaborations.

Bayer New Zealand managing director Dr Holger Detje, who also heads the company’s local Crop Science division, says the Grants4Targets opportunity presented by Bayer globally is highly important for New Zealand innovation.

“New Zealand prides itself on being innovative, but the reality is that research funds are hard to come by and our geographical isolation means that collaboration on projects with Europe and the US is not always easy.

“If you are working on new ideas and innovations with regards to novel molecular targets in either the human health or crop science areas, then it’s well worth taking a look at applying for a Grants4Targets funding. You never know where it might lead.”

The Grants4Targets initiative is divided into two areas: Pharmaceuticals and Crop Science.

The Pharmaceuticals component is offering grants for researchers investigating novel drug targets in the fields of oncology, gynaecology, cardiology, haematology and ophthalmology to promote innovative therapeutic ideas from basic research into novel drugs.

In the Crop Science area, Bayer is offering to finance and support novel molecular targets that could be developed into new crop protection solutions for weed, pest and disease control.

The aim is to translate innovation coming from research into modern crop protection products suitable for the future challenges facing the global agricultural community.

“Bayer has for many years supported innovative organisations and companies in New Zealand through our foundation sponsorship of the New Zealand Innovators Awards and through our business activities,” says Dr Detje.

“I’m delighted that this level of support extends to our global open innovation activities and look forward to hearing of successful New Zealand applications in future.”

Applications for Grants4Targets can be made via the website www.grants4targets.bayer.com.
The first deadline this year for Pharmaceutical applications is March 31; while Crop Science applications close May 31.

As well as Grants4Targets, Bayer has several other global open innovation activities. The most recent is Grants4Indications, a crowd sourcing initiative that promotes the exploration of new therapeutic indications for Bayer compounds that could potentially lead to new therapies for patients. For more visit www.grants4indications.bayer.com.

ENDS

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