Study Group Collaboration Grant

Collaborating on innovation

 

ESCMID offers a variety of grants to support research in the field of infection. The largest single grant given is the Study Group Collaboration Grant which is awarded to experience researchers who are taking on innovative large-scale translational projects with the direct support of at least three ESCMID Study Groups. We were able to connect with the last two recipients of the grant, Mike Beeton the 2024 awardee, and Patrick Finzer the 2025 awardee to hear their stories and what the grant means to them. You can watch the video of Beeton's interview and read our conversation with Finzer below. And be sure to apply for the Study Group Collaboration Grant which closes 29 October 2025!

 

Interview with Michael Beeton

Interview with Patrick Finzer

You won the ESCMID Study Group Collaboration in 2025. Tell us the key points of your project.

In our grant application, the study groups ESGHAMI, EFISG and ESGB were involved together with Riina Richardson from Manchester (UK), Gordon Ramage from Glasgow (UK), Maja Rupnik from Maribor (SVN), Alexandre Alanio from Paris (F) and me from Düsseldorf (D). The aim of our study is to characterise the entire microbiome (fungi, parasites, bacteria, DNA-viruses, bacteriophages) in human vaginal samples from patients with or without vulvovaginal candidosis (VVC). In addition, we will study ex vivo samples and mock communities of differentially abundant microbes reflecting the composition of the various microbiome types in novel in vitro 3D models. 

Why did you pick this topic for the grant?

First of all, the medical aspect is of great importance: approximately 70-75% of women will have VVC at least once in their lifetime. In addition, the recurrence rate is high, in women in childbearing age it is estimated at 6-15%. And it accounts for a significant proportion of antifungal use in the community, and as a consequence antifungal resistance is rising. In addition, there is also a broader microbiological interest: the vaginal microbiome is relatively simple – in comparison to the gut microbiome, for example. This relatively ‘simple’ microbiome allows us to develop more easily an understanding of microbial communities in general and, if possible, apply this knowledge to other, more complex ones.

How does the grant support your project and overall research and what does that mean to you?

The funding gives us the opportunity to analyse clinical samples in larger numbers using metagenomic sequencing and to systematically study them in in vitro models. This is a new approach that we can now implement with this project. The fact that experts from several countries are coming together to work on this project is what makes it so appealing.

Personally, this grant gives me the opportunity to expand my research topic and to include essential new aspects; I particularly appreciate the new methodological approaches and the exchange with international experts.

How did the partners come together on this project?

For my research topic ‘genital microbiome,’ I was able to find potential partners through study groups who are working on complementary aspects. At ESCMID Global, we were able to exchange ideas directly and get started right away; that was very practical and fruitful.

First, we put together the project application and discussed it online. Each participant has a clearly defined work package and a corresponding share of the funding. In addition, we have budgeted part of the grant for travel so that we can also exchange ideas and work together on site.

What kind of impact do you hope your work will have?

We think that our project will make a significant contribution to research of inter-kingdom interactions in the development of VVC. It tackles an infectious disease with high burden and impact on the health-related quality of life and is a significant driver of antifungal use in community. This research also has implications for other microbiota where inter-kingdom interactions may be associated with diseases.

The ESCMID Study Group Collaboration Grant is awarded annually to large-scale innovative translational research projects organised by experienced investigators. You can learn more about the grant and the application process on our website. Applications for 2026 are open until 29 October 2025.

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