For researchers

The exact remit of each funding call is determined by our Honorary Scientific and Medical Directors and the Trustees after discussions with our scientific advisors. Project Grants, Fellowships and Studentships awards are annual calls, with a two-stage application process.

The first stage is submission of a short preliminary application giving an outline of the proposed research – the aims, methods and the credentials of the research team. Preliminary applications undergo initial internal triage to check that forms are completed correctly, and the proposed research is within the scope of the call.

Preliminary applications are then reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP). The most promising applications are taken through to the second stage, with applicants invited to submit a detailed proposal. Short-listed Fellowship and Studentship applicants will also be interviewed. The SAP aims to shortlist proposals with a total value of 1.5X the funding call budget.

Ad-hoc grant applications (i.e. those not submitted to funding calls) undergo a single-stage application process without a preliminary submission but are still subject to internal triage and the same level of peer review as applications that are submitted to funding calls.

The detailed research proposals are reviewed by external experts, from the UK and overseas, selected according to their relevance to the proposed research.

External reviewers are asked to complete a form to assess the detailed research proposals against the following criteria:

1. The importance, originality, and relevance of the project
2. The study design, including the likelihood of achieving decisive results, and whether the timeline is realistic, and the methods are appropriate and if there is enough statistical power, etc
3. The credibility and justification of the financial request
4. The ability of the research team to carry out the proposed work
5. Whether the use of animals, if applicable, is adequately justified and aligns with the NC3Rs guidelines
6. Whether there are any likely major obstacles that the research team may encounter

Each external reviewer provides written comments and an overall score, commenting on the originality, importance, design and costing of the proposal. Project Grant Applicants have the opportunity to respond to these comments.

The applications, reviews and responses are then sent to members of our SAP who meet to discuss each application and agree which projects to recommend to the Trustees for funding, taking into account the funding available.

The Trustees make the final decisions, on the basis of advice from the SAP and the amount of funding available.