The Vici grant of the Innovational Research Incentives Scheme was awarded this year to Dr. Ype Elgersma. He is the scientist that published earlier this year a scientific breakthrough on Angelman Syndrome in the highest acclaimed journal "Nature Neuroscience" (link to article). The grant is aimed at excellent scientists to be able to setup their own researchgroup.

The Vici grant is part of a scheme of three grants: Veni (for researchers who have recently completed their doctorates), Vidi (for experienced researchers) and Vici (for researchers of professorial quality). The aim of the scheme is to promote innovation in academic research. It gives creative and talented researchers the opportunity to conduct their own research and so gain entry to or promotion within institutions conducting academic research in the Netherlands.

The grant will be used to study several neurological disorders. A small part of the money will be dedicated to research on Angelman Syndrome. This gives hope for further scientific breakthroughs.