Supporting research through targeted fundraising

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With its national research and innovation strategy, the country wants to develop its scientific ecosystem and the 8xav�� of Luxembourg is a driving force in this transition. Generating scientific knowledge and achieving excellence in research requires substantial investments. As such, raising funds to back innovative endeavours has always been a key part of the university’s strategy. Besides competitive third-party funding, support by foundations and private donors is crucial to push scientific boundaries and conduct cutting-edge research. It allows research centres like the Luxembourg Centre for Systems Biomedicine (LCSB) to pursue ambitious projects and to develop their infrastructure further. To make the most of the donations, the LCSB recently created three research funds dedicated to specific diseases. These new fundraising tools will ensure that all donors’ contributions make a difference where it matters.

A collective effort for a greater impact

“We were looking for a way to further improve the impact of donations and this is what this initiative is all about,” explains Dr Lisa Smits, fundraiser at the LCSB. “Through these three funds, we are also able to collect smaller amounts which, when added together, can have a bigger effect.” On top of pulling resources together, the funds bring some flexibility: With this set-up, the projects’ needs can be assessed at different points in time and the resources distributed where they will be the most useful.

“It could for example mean some financial support towards the last phase of a project to help carry out additional experiments that will increase the project’s significance and the chances of publication in a high-impact scientific journal,” details Dr Smits. “Or money to kick-start a project and generate initial data that will then help secure competitive public funding. In short, through our three research funds, we will be able to put all the contributions to good use, in a very targeted and carefully thought through manner.”

At the end of January, the funds were officially launched during an event organised by the fundraising office. The evening brought together donors and friends of the LCSB, researchers and members of the university. Between guided lab visits and presentations on current research, the guests had a look behind-the-scenes and could better understand the crucial role of philanthropy in driving science forward.

Alongside the funds, Dr Philippe Lamesch, head of fundraising at the university, introduced the Champion Circles, an initiative that encourages long-lasting support by major donors for each of the selected research areas.

Tackling challenges in biomedical research

Two of the research funds contribute to the fight against neurodegenerative disorders, more precisely �ʲ��쾱�Բ��ǲ�’s and ��𾱳��’s, while the third one focuses on rare childhood diseases. Taken together, these diseases affect millions of people worldwide, presenting significant challenges for healthcare systems across the globe. For patients, diagnosis can be a long journey, and effective treatments are still limited. By giving to one of these funds, donors can support scientific progress and facilitate the development of diagnostic tools and innovative therapies.

“This is a collective effort to address some of the most pressing health issues of our time,” concludes Dr Lisa Smits. “Together, we can improve the lives of patients and their families in Luxembourg and beyond. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.”