Merck KGaAMerck Serono, the biopharmaceutical division of Merck, has announced the launch of Merck Global Grants - a program that underscores the company's commitment to funding scientific innovation and independent medical education around the world. The initiative encompasses Merck Serono's complete grants portfolio, including the Grants for Innovation in Research and Grants for Independent Medical Education.

The program totals an annual investment of €20 million across all grants programs, highlighting the company's efforts to promote advances in the field of medicine, addressing recognized gaps in healthcare knowledge, and improving the quality of patient care.

"Merck Serono has a long-standing reputation as a strong advocate for scientific innovation and medical education, believing that both are integral to helping healthcare professionals bring enhanced care to patients," said Steven Hildemann, Global Chief Medical Officer and Head of Global Medical and Safety at Merck Serono.

The Grants for Innovation in Research identify and fund promising research from across biopharma, including academia, research centers, smaller start-ups and independent researchers. Specific grants focus on areas in which Merck Serono has a strong R&D and commercial presence, including the Grant for Oncology Innovation, Grant for Multiple Sclerosis Innovation, Grant for Fertility Innovation, and Grant for Growth Innovation.

The Grants for Independent Medical Education foster the advancement of medicine, and address recognized gaps in healthcare knowledge, in order to improve patient care. The program includes the launch of an online portal which allows highly transparent and ethical interactions with medical education providers and represents an important milestone in the Merck Serono Medical Education Strategy. Funding is provided to educational institutions such as universities, medical education providers, medical scientists and scientific organizations.

To review eligibility requirements or apply for a grant, visit:
http://www.merck-grants.com

About Merck Serono
Merck Serono is the biopharmaceutical division of Merck. With headquarters in Darmstadt, Germany, Merck Serono offers leading brands in 150 countries to help patients with cancer, multiple sclerosis, infertility, endocrine and metabolic disorders as well as cardiovascular diseases. In the United States and Canada, EMD Serono operates as a separately incorporated subsidiary of Merck Serono.

Merck Serono discovers, develops, manufactures and markets prescription medicines of both chemical and biological origin in specialist indications. We have an enduring commitment to deliver novel therapies in our core focus areas of neurology, oncology, immuno-oncology and immunology.