Submission deadline extended: Dr. Imelda de Groot Award 2026

Duchenne Parent Project Netherlands has extended the submission deadline for the Dr. Imelda de Groot Award 2026 to 15 October 2026. Researchers, clinicians, and allied health professionals who have not yet finalized their submission now have additional time to do so.

Purpose of the Award

The Dr. Imelda de Groot Award is an incentive prize established to advance care and innovation for individuals with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is intended to recognize and support innovative, evidence-informed ideas that translate into measurable improvements in clinical care and daily functioning for people with Duchenne. The call is open to international applicants, and submissions from research groups, clinical teams, and multidisciplinary collaborations are encouraged.

The award carries a prize of €10,000, intended either to initiate a new project or to further develop and implement an existing initiative. A jury of experts, chaired by Dr. Imelda de Groot, will evaluate applications and select the recipient.

Scope of eligible projects

Proposals should be practical, innovative, and readily applicable in clinical or community settings. Both new projects and the continued development of existing initiatives are eligible. Areas of particular relevance include:

• Practical care solutions, such as improved methods for blood sampling or orthotic design
• Digital or technological innovations, including applications that support physical activity or medication adherence
• Initiatives addressing sports, leisure, and daily functional independence
• Interventions that strengthen psychosocial support and social participation, including school, employment, and community engagement
• Development of sensor-based technologies for more accurate assessment of physical activity

Application requirements and procedure

In contrast to previous editions, a video submission is not required at the application stage. Applicants are instead asked to provide a concise written submission addressing:

• A description of the proposed project or initiative
• Its anticipated added value for people with Duchenne
• The innovative and distinguishing aspects of the approach

A short video will be requested only from the selected award recipient, following the jury’s decision.

Timeline:

• Revised submission deadline: 15 October 2026
• Award ceremony: 1 December 2026

Applications should be submitted to: info@duchenne.nl

About Dr. Imelda de Groot

Dr. Imelda de Groot retired in April 2021 from her position as pediatric rehabilitation specialist at Radboud University Medical Center. Over the course of her career, she initiated a number of research projects examining Duchenne and Becker muscular dystrophy, including the study “No Use Is Disuse,” which investigated the role of movement and physical activity in disease management. The award was established to encourage continued research and clinical innovation in this area.

Researchers and healthcare professionals with relevant projects are invited to submit their applications before the revised deadline.