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Jacqueline du Pré
Jacqueline du Pré, born in Oxford, England in 1945, is acknowledged as one of the greatest cellists who ever lived. Throughout her career she performed with prestigious orchestras and soloists all over the world. In particular, her recording of the Elgar Concerto with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1965, aged only 20, brought her international recognition.
In 1973, at the age of 28, Jacqueline du Pré was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS). She continued to perform and to teach, and even had James D Wolfensohn, a former Chairman of MSIF and former President of the World Bank, as a student. In 1987, 14 years after being diagnosed, Jacqueline du Pré died at the age of 42.
MSIF continues to honour her life and her work through the Du Pré Grants, an initiative established in 1999 that supports research into MS.
Grant
- MSIF offers the Du Pré Grants to young MS researchers to enable them to undertake short visits to other MS research centres, either to learn more from each other or to carry out parts of joint research projects.
- The aim is to encourage cross-fertilisation of skills through collaborative research projects.
- Each grant is likely to be between UK£1,000 and UK£2,000, to a maximum grant of UK£5,000.
- The funds are intended to contribute towards travel and living costs or to top-up an existing grant to extend a visit.
- The duration of the visits are generally between two and six months.
- MSIF can provide up to ten grants, over the spring and autumn rounds, per calendar year.
Eligibility
- Individuals, preferably young researchers, who are directly involved in a special MS research project are eligible for nomination.
- Before nomination, candidates need to have identified a suitable project and discussed their involvement with the project supervisor of the host institution.
- Projects must be related to MS: there are no other geographic restrictions.
Nomination of Candidates
University departments must nominate a candidate. This nomination should include:
- A letter from the candidate detailing their reasons for nomination and the requested grant amount.
- His or her curriculum vitae.
- Testimonies (references) from at least two people with whom the candidate has worked.
- A description of the field of research that the candidate wishes to be trained in or the research project that he or she wishes to carry out. This should be written by the applicant and should be a maximum of four A4 pages including the background to project, aims and methodology to be used. A list of references should be added as an appendix which may also include figures.
- A signed letter of support from the project supervisor of the host institution, indicating that appropriate facilities will be made available. The letter should be on institution-headed notepaper.
A 2008 Du Pré Grant Nomination Form ![[pdf]](/display_images/document_icons/pdf.gif) must be completed for each nomination and enclosed with the above documents.
Candidates are also required to submit electronic copies of all the above documents. Electronic copies are to be emailed to Dhia Chandraratna by the deadline stated below.
Deadline
Du Pré Grants are offered twice a year but nominations can be received at any time.
The Autumn 2008 deadline has now passed.
The next Spring deadline is 13 February 2009.
Selection
The members of the MSIF International Medical and Scientific Board's (IMSB) Du Pré Grant Work Group consider and select successful candidates.
Spring 2008 Du Pré Grant recipients were announced the week commencing 5 May 2008
Autumn 2008 Du Pré Grant recipients will be announced the week commencing 6 October 2008
Evidence of Results
After a Du Pré Grant has been awarded and the research taken place, a short report and expenditure summary will be required for submission to the Du Pré Grant Work Group. Electronic copies of reports, papers, abstracts and posters resulting from the visit should also be submitted.
Papers produced as a result of or in connection with Du Pré Grant funded research should acknowledge the MSIF Du Pré Grant. If possible, such acknowledgements should also reference MSIF's website.
Past Recipients
Read about the work carried out by MS researchers through the Du Pré Grant.
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