Call for tenders for MPA, fetal medicine and genetic diagnosis

Each year, the agency launches two calls for tender to fund studies and research projects. The "AMP, fetal medicine and genetic diagnosis" AOR concerns clinical and scientific projects, while the "Human and social sciences" AOR concerns projects in all human and social science disciplines applied to the Agency's fields of competence. These initiatives fall within the scope of the Agency's missions, as defined by the French bioethics laws, and are made possible by a budget voted by its Board of Directors. The research themes, determined with the advice of the Agency's Medical and Scientific Committee and the Orientation Council, cover essential issues for developing knowledge in this field and improving the quality and safety of care.

To participate, applicants must submit a complete dossier to the Agency before the deadline for the relevant call for tenders. Each project is assessed in two stages: an admissibility review by the Agency, followed by an in-depth evaluation by two independent experts. Projects are ranked and discussed by the Agency's Medical and Scientific Committee, which recommends the allocation of funding on the basis of quality and alignment with strategic priorities. Funds allocated to selected projects are paid out in two instalments, after signature of the agreement (70%) and receipt of the final report (30%).

Complete applications should be sent to: aor@biomedecine.fr

AMP, fetal medicine and genetic diagnosis

For the 2025 edition, the **"AMP, fetal medicine and genetic diagnosis"**call for tenders covers the following themes:

1. Safety and quality of practices in assisted reproduction, fetal medicine (including prenatal diagnosis⁾¹

   , preimplantation diagnosis and ^genetics2

2. Improvement of methods and techniques in assisted reproduction, fetal medicine (including prenatal diagnosis)1, preimplantation diagnosis and ^genetics3

3. Gamete ^quality4

4. Fertility preservation

5. Public health, improving care pathways, preventive approaches

1 The French Bioethics Act specifies that fetal medicine includes prenatal diagnosis and the treatment of conditions likely to have an impact on the future of the fetus or unborn child2 Excluding somatic genetics3 The call for tender is not open to somatic cancer genetics projects, nor to basic and translational research projects without direct and significant benefit for patients and/or their families**4 In accordance with regulations, the gametes used in this research must not result in the subsequent formation of a human embryo.

Applications closed on December 12, 2024. Results will be available in May 2025.

Humanities and social sciences

For the 2025 edition, the "Humanities and Social Sciences" call for proposals is open to all projects in Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines applied to the Agency's fields of competence. Projects are to be submitted in the following themes:

1. Fundamental, conceptual, ethical and philosophical aspects.
2. Accessibility to care (geographical, territorial, economic, etc.), health policy, care pathways, social inequalities in health, vulnerability.
3. Innovations and new technologies (e.g. artificial intelligence, in vitro gametogenesis, embryo models, genomics, etc.).
4. Experiences and perceptions of patients and their families or caregivers
5. Social and cultural representations
6. Issues of communication, scientific dissemination, transparency and implementation

N.B.: the numbers of these themes are those to be indicated under the heading "tender theme number" in the administrative and financial summary sheets.

Projects involving cross-disciplinary, interdisciplinary and/or comparative approaches are strongly encouraged by the Agency.

The complete file should be sent by e-mail to the following address: AOR@biomedecine.fr

ATTENTION: The application for the AOR "AMP, fetal medicine and genetic diagnosis" must be sent before December 12, 2024 at 5 pm.

Applications for the "Human and Social Sciences" AOR must be sent in by 5pm on March 28, 2025.

Results will be available in May and July 2025.

Since 2006, the call for tenders has funded 141 fetal medicine and genetic diagnostics projects, including 15 projects in the human and social sciences, out of 398 eligible applications submitted. On average, the agency supports 7 fetal medicine and genetic diagnostics projects per year, with an annual budget of 25,600 euros per project. These research projects, which are generally completed within three years, contribute to significant advances in the field of fetal medicine and genetic diagnosis, and their results are valorized through scientific reports submitted to the Agency.