In the course of exhaling and talking, when people sneeze and cough, pathogens are emitted to the surrounding environment due to atomization in the form of droplets and aerosols. An infection transmission by person-to-person contact via droplets or aerosols occurs when these pathogens subsequently reach people’s mucous membranes and reproduce there.
Currently common precautions taken in the way they are being applied within the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic are inadequate. Maintaining a distance of 1.5 meters is relatively arbitrary and not far enough for aerosols. Mouth & nose facial coverings are not virus-proof, they impair communication and make breathing more difficult. In relation to their impact, air filters and ventilation systems are in many cases not tested or unreliable.
Even though with vaccination we do have a very effective instrument against COVID-19, future mutations of coronaviruses might reduce the protective effectiveness of vaccination, and new viruses transmitted via droplets and aerosols could lead to renewed major medical and economic problems.
This is why Else Kröner-Fresenius-Stiftung wants to contribute to advancing the research and development of measures toward preventing droplet and aerosol infections. The foundation is therefore making 1 million euros available on a one-time basis for projects toward the prevention of infections transmitted by droplets and aerosols bearing a relevance to practical application.
Funding resources can be applied for to the benefit of
- further developments of existing protective measures
- new developments of materials, substances, concepts and measures
- interaction formats toward the development of new ideas
Members of charitable institutions such as universities, hospitals, foundations, associations, etc. are eligible to apply. Equally welcome are applications from interdisciplinary teams.
Funds for both human and material resources can be applied for which are necessary and scientifically justified for implementing the planned project. The allocation of funds takes place within a two-step procedure. Short-form applications can be submitted to hygiene@ekfs.de until April 15th, 2021.