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MELO E CASTRO AWARD - REGULATIONS 2017 2

MELO E CASTRO AWARD

REGULATIONS

Whereas Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa hereinafter mentioned as SCML, is a

private institution of public interest governed by private law which under paragraph 4 of its

Statutes, approved and published under article 1 of Decree-Law nº 235/2008 has as its mission

the improvement of the quality of life of those less fortunate in our population;

Taking into account the more than five centuries of existence during which it has

always respected its original commitment, representing today, a reference in the Portuguese

society in areas such as social support, health care provision, education and cultural

patronage;

Recalling the personality and exceptionality of José Guilherme de Matos Rato Melo e

Castro, who in 1955, as sub-secretary of State for Social Assistance, with the support of Victor

Santana Carlos, medical doctor, planned and developed a project aimed at the treatment of

people suffering from motor disabilities, which went beyond the concept of Physical Medicine

then practiced in the country;

Following the ambitious objectives of José Guilherme de Melo e Castro who, as

Chairman of SCML from 1957 to 1963, acquired land in Alcoitão to set up the Rehabilitation

Centre, having subsequently created a special fund for its construction and equipment and

established a committee to organise the construction. The building was inaugurated in 1966;

Demonstrating the experience of SCML that, as a result of José Guilherme de Melo e

Castro’s strong belief, dared to support the development of a new concept of physical

medicine and to believe in a new paradigm, bringing together solutions for the construction of

a specialized hospital unit which he named the Centro de Reabilitação de Diminuídos Físicos;

Exalting the motto “Excellence in Rehabilitation” by which all the work undertaken at

Centro de Medicina de Reabilitação de Alcoitão (CMRA) is today known and recognized, the

Centre where the Higher Institute of Health Studies (Escola Superior de Saúde de Alcoitão -

ESSA) is located, where health professionals are trained, notably in Physiotherapy, Speech

Therapy and Occupational Therapy;


Acknowledging that “Excellence in Rehabilitation” is based on the ambitious work of

José Guilherme de Melo e Castro, a person with an exceptional capacity for action and vision,

who harmoniously and efficiently joined efforts to assist those in greatest need, having started

a number of innovative measures as Chairman of the SCML;

Also recalling that it was José Guilherme de Melo e Castro’s initiative to create mutual

sports bets (State Social Game known as Totobola) and to give its profits to SCML in order to

finance the services for the rehabilitation of the physically disabled, as well as the creation of a

source of revenue for sporting events;

Aware that “… there is (still) more at stake”, there is Hope;

The SCML Board has decided to create the “MELO E CASTRO AWARD”, to be granted

annually, with the purpose of promoting and revitalizing clinical or scientific research and

multidisciplinary development within the scope of traumatic or non-traumatic (acquired or

congenital) spinal cord injury and to promote the discovery of potential solutions which will

enable the recovery of motor limitations and bring about the improvement in the quality of life

of the affected people.


Chapter I

Preliminary Provisions

Clause 1

(Objective)

1.

These regulations are intended to define the general conditions for the granting of the

“MELO E CASTRO AWARD”, an Award which main purpose is the stimulation and promotion of

scientific or clinical research, within the frame of biosciences (neurology, neuropathology,

biochemistry, molecular biology, molecular genetics, chemistry, pharmacology, immunology,

physiology, cell biology, among others) in order to encourage strategic and significant

contributions in the context of traumatic or non-traumatic (acquired or congenital) spinal cord

injuries and to promote the discovery of potential solutions for treating spinal cord injuries as

well as the healing of motor limitations of the affected people.

Clause 2

(Object and Scope)

1.

The “MELO E CASTRO AWARD”, granted on a yearly basis, offers an amount of two

hundred thousand Euros, distributed over a maximum period of three years, to the project

that, meeting the criteria required in these Regulations, shows to be the most promising in the

achievement of the established objectives.

2.

The prize shall be awarded to the best project developed on national territory by

national researchers, or by foreign researchers who reside in Portugal.

3.

Notwithstanding the provisions set out in paragraph 2 above, partnerships or

cooperation with institutions, universities and researchers of other nationalities shall be

accepted.


Chapter II

Call for Competition and Applications

Clause 3

(Call for Competition)

1.

The call for competition for the “MELO E CASTRO AWARD” shall be announced during

the month of May of each year, on the SCML website and in two major national newspapers.

2.

The application must be submitted through the internet, on the website and within the

deadline set out on the Call for Competition Notice.

Clause 4

(Applications)

1.

Applications must have the following elements:

a. Submission form duly completed;

b. Two curricula résumé, for every research team member. One in Portuguese,

another in English. Each résumé should not be longer than three pages according to

the template available online. The research team must provide references on the

topic and/or related topics such as publications, communications and/or scientific

articles;

c. Commitment statements (based on the templates available online). The documents

mentioned on the commitment statement, if related to the project to submit, must

be handed in as attachments;

d. Produce evidence that all the ethical and legal requisites are met, if the research

involves animal or human experimentations;

e. Supplementary funding, if applicable. Contractual or other statements with the

promoters;

f. Other relevant documents;

g. The research work, as defined on Clause 6.


Clause 5

(Submission of Applications)

1.

Applications must be submitted electronically on the website indicated in the Call for

competition Notice.

2.

SCML shall be entitled to request the original or printed copies of any electronically

submitted document, or others it considers relevant.

3.

The documents submitted shall not be returned.

Clause 6

(Requirements for the Scientific Research Work to be submitted)

1.

The scientific research work shall be presented under the form of a scientific project.

2.

The work shall be no longer than ten thousand words and may be completed with

images and attachments.

3.

The work shall be drafted in English in Arial type font, size 12, with 1.5 spacing,

numbered pages in an unrestricted PDF file.

4.

The work shall include:

a. Project Title;

b. Table of contents;

c. Research Team (names and academic degrees);

d. Identification of the proponent and the associated institutions;

e. Abstract, in English and Portuguese of approximately 250 words each, and written

for a layperson’s understanding1;

f. Objectives and statement of reasons;

g. Plan of research activities and methods (when there are several associated

institutions, each one’s responsibility in the project must be acknowledged);

h. Preliminary and/or expected results;

i. Interest and relevance;

j. Schedule of the research works;

1 The abstract for the layperson´s understanding of the winning project of the Melo e Castro Award will be used in

the dissemination and communication of the winners of the Santa Casa Neurosciences Awards.


k. Financing Plan (with distribution of funds through financial headings, time chart

and allocations to every associated institution;

l. Bibliographic references.

Clause 7

(Eligibility of the Applications)

1.

Eligibility criteria:

a. In what concerns the candidates:

I. The research coordinator must either be Portuguese or have a permanent

address in Portugal; If a project is submitted by a research group, at least 50%

of its members must comply with this requirement;

II. If the projects to be implemented have the cooperation of several researchers

from different institutions other than the Proponent Institution, the

responsibility of each one must be mentioned;

III. The research coordinator must be a professor or researcher in a Portuguese

higher education institution, health institution and/or public or private

research centre.

b. In what concerns the works:

I. They shall be original and unpublished, but in the scope of competence and

scientific production of the proponent research group in order to achieve

excellence research projects;

II. Overheads presented on the application costs projection, should not be

greater than 20% of the total cost of the project. The amount of the mentioned

expenses has to be included on the total amount of the prize granted, and it

cannot be higher than the maximum amount available.

c. In what concerns the proponent institution:

I. The Proponent Institution must be a Portuguese institution, public or private,

that develops or participates in research activities;

II. It must show, under a written statement, its capacity and resources to

implement the project;

III. If there are any associated institutions involved on the implementation of the

project, it must assure their commitment by presenting a commitment

statement signed by all of them, in a form available online on the SCML web

page.


2.

Exclusion criteria:

a. Non-compliance with the requirements in these regulations in what concerns

the process and the submission requirements;

b. Work presented by persons, or in cooperation with persons who are also

members of the current Jury, the Honour Committee of the Santa Casa

Neurosciences Awards or the SCML Biosciences Scientific Committee;

c. The submission of more than one application by the same researcher or group

of researchers;

d. Submitting work done in cooperation with other researchers who are applying

to the same edition of the Santa Casa Neurosciences Awards;

e. Work presented by any researcher who is a member of a team awarded in a

previous edition of the SANTA CASA Neurosciences Awards, providing that the

project is not in the last year of its approved schedule;

f. Work presented by any researcher who is currently benefiting from funding by

any of the SCML’s Research & Development programs, providing that the

project is not in the last year of its approved schedule.

Candidates will be notified by registered or electronic mail of the acceptance or

exclusion decision.

Chapter III

Jury: Areas of competence, Constitution and Functioning

Clause 8

(Responsibilities of the Jury)

1.

The Jury will have to appraise the merit of the projects submitted by taking into

consideration the following assessment parameters:

a. Originality and level of innovation of the work;

b. Feasibility of the work;

c. Relevance, interest and expectable applicability of the research results;

d. Pertinence of the work for the scope of the objectives of the competition;

e. Scientific merit of the research coordinator and of the research team;

f. Quality of the institute where the project is primarily developed;


g. Existence of cooperation with other public or private, national or international

institutions, universities or research centres.

2.

The Jury will appraise all eligible work and will find the one with the greatest merit

which will receive the award.

Clause 9

(Constitution of the Jury)

1.

The Jury consists of the following members with voting rights:

a. One member of recognized merit, representing the University of Porto and

nominated by its Governing Body;

b. One member of recognized merit, representing University of Lisbon and nominated

by its Governing Body;

c. One member of recognized merit, representing University of Coimbra and

nominated by its Governing Body;

d. A representative of the Portuguese Society of Neurosciences;

e. A representative of the Portuguese Society of Neurology;

f. A representative of the Portuguese Society of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation;

g. A representative of the Centro de Medicina de Reabilitação de Alcoitão; h. Members of recognized merit, Portuguese or foreigners, invited and appointed by

the Chairman of SCML.

2.

The following members may participate in the Jury with no voting rights:

a. One or more representatives relevant for SCML especially but not exclusively,

members of the SCML Biosciences Scientific Committee;

b. Specialists of recognized competence considered necessary for a good evaluation of

the work submitted.

Clause 10

(How the Jury Works)

1.

The Jury is autonomous and competent to deliberate by a simple majority.

2.

The Jury’s rulings are definitive. There will be no right of appeal regarding the Jury‘s

decisions.


3.

Whenever the Jury considers it necessary, it may request clarifications from the

candidates.

4.

Whenever the Jury meets, it shall draw up minutes to be signed by all its members.

5.

The Jury will abide by its own Regulations.

Chapter IV

Winning Applications

Clause 11

(Notification of the Award)

1.

The Jury’s decision shall be disclosed, whenever possible, until the last day of

December of the corresponding year.

2.

The ceremony for the Public announcement of the winning project will be held in a

date to be confirmed.

3.

The research coordinator of the winning project will be notified of the decision,

through registered mail sent to the address mentioned on the application form. SCML may,

however, make contact in any other way with the proponent Institution or with the research

team.

Clause 12

(Award)

1.

The payment of the amount granted by the “MELO E CASTRO AWARD” of a total of

two hundred thousand Euros will be performed in three phases that coincide with the running

of the winning project. It can only be allotted over a maximum period of three years for

expenses exclusively allocated to the project.


2.

Payment will be done through bank transfer to the proponent institution’s bank

identification number, mentioned on the application form. This institution will be responsible

for the allocation of the needed financial resources to the compliance of the proposed

financial plan.

3.

SCML reserves the right to not award any funds, if there are no applications or if the

Jury considers that no application meets the quality and relevance expected for this award.

Clause 13

(Responsibilities of the Winners)

1.

The winners shall:

a. Sign, together with the institutions’ legal representatives, a statement of

responsibility, available online on the SCML webpage, in which all parties ensure

that all the required criteria in this Regulations will be fulfilled;

b. Use the money solely to pay for the expenses listed on the application cost

projection, according to the plan and headings;

c. Present at the end of each year, a scientific performance report and a financial

performance report, that will be evaluated;

d. Present at the end of each year, if requested by SCML, a file with the invoices

related to the expenses incurred in the scope of the project;

e. Comply with the implementation period according to the deadlines;

f. Requests for modification of the project, if needed, should be done through the

form made available by SCML;

g. When the results obtained are published or disclosed, mention “Santa Casa

Neurosciences Awards” or alternatively “MELO E CASTRO AWARD”, granted by

SCML;

h. Commit to allocate time for the promotion of the Santa Casa Neurosciences

Awards in SCML organised events;

i. If the project is suspended, the winner shall inform SCML, presenting a

justification, as well as returning the amount received and not used, losing the

right to receive the remaining balance.

j. If the overall financial execution is found to be lower than the initially estimated in

the project budget, submitted at the time of the application, the winner must

return the unused amount, awarded by SCML.


2.

The non-fulfilment of the requirements stated on previous paragraphs may lead to the

return of the amount already given but not yet used, as well as to lose the right to receive the

remaining amount.

Clause 14

(Personal Data)

1.

The winners will accept that SCML may divulge their personal data, by any means

including, particularly, through any national or international media (daily press and/or

magazines, television, radio, internet) without any financial compensation.

Clause 15

(Intellectual Property)

1.

Candidates are exclusively responsible for the work’s authorship. However they may

present due permissions in what concerns third party intellectual property rights.

2.

The winning candidate will be solely responsible for any violation of third party

intellectual property rights or author rights; if the winning project is submitted by several

candidates they are jointly responsible.

3.

Third party rights violation will lead to the return of the amount already given but not

yet used, as well as to lose the right to receive the remaining balance.

4.

Winning candidates will grant to SCML a licence that is perpetual, global, not exclusive,

free of charge and transferable. This licence gives permission for SCML to use, translate,

reproduce, distribute, divulge, broadcast, communicate and put at the public’s disposal,

without restriction of means, place or way, the work’s results and content for any purpose

esteemed important, namely but not exclusively, information sessions to promote this

initiative, always mentioning its authors. All parties consider that the amount of the award

is an adequate return in regard to this matter.


5.

The holders of the intellectual and/or industrial property right of the project funded by

the “MELO E CASTRO AWARD” will grant to SCML with a use/usufruct permit, free of

charge and perpetual, non-exclusive, for the respective results and benefits, in what

concerns SCML activity.

Chapter V

Final Provisions

Clause 16

(Omissions)

1.

Situations not foreseen in the Regulations will be decided by SCML.

Clause 17

(Amendments)

1.

These regulations may be revised by SCML.

2.

Amendments to the Regulations will enter into force with the same procedure as the

entry into force of the present Regulations.

3.

Upon the entry into force of the amendments the Regulations will be republished.

Clause 18

(Entry into force)

1.

The present Regulations will enter into force on the date of the SCML’s board approval

deliberation.

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