Medical research funding sources

This section lists funds available for researchers. Details for general research funding sources should be submitted to research@thesis.co.uk

MEDICAL RESEARCH COUNCIL and Department of Health Call For Proposals: Joint Initiative in Primary Health Care Research http://www.mrc.ac.uk

Addressing the need for more high-quality research on important questions that arise within the primary health care setting, the DOH has allocated a budget of Pounds 6 million for grants awarded under this initiative, and the MRC will make an equal contribution. The initiative will be managed jointly. Applications are invited for strategic grants for individual projects, programme grants and trial grants. Applicants should take into account the priorities identified in the MRC topic review "Primary Health Care" and the NHS executive's national working group report, "R&D in primary care". Proposals need not be restricted to general practice and may address research questions in areas such as community nursing, midwifery, pharmacy and dentistry, for example. Applicants are encouraged to explain how their proposed research could contribute in the future towards applications for grants within the MRC's new funding schemes.

Deadline: Full proposals on the standard MRC electronic grant application (EGA) form should be received at MRC Head Office no later than February 15.

Information packs for trial grant applications can be obtained from Ms Sam Balakrishnan at MRC Head Office, 20 Park Crescent, London W1N 4AL (0171 636 5422. Ext. 6255). Intending applicants are strongly advised to discuss their research plans and proposed timing of submission with Dr Huw Jones Jenkins (Ext. 6213; email huw.jenkins@ headoffice.mrc.ac.uk) British Occupational Health Research Foundation

Proposals of high scientific quality are welcome from research institutions, not individuals, which conform to the standard application form requirements of BOHRF within the following defined category areas of priority:

* Stress and mental ill-health

* Musculo-skeletal disorders

* Respiratory diseases (e.g. occupational asthma)

* Skin disorders (e.g. dermatitis)

* Physical agents (e.g. noise and vibration effects) Specific new calls for proposals:

(i) the means of prevention and management of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder and (ii) the challenge of auditing the cost effectiveness of occupational health services.

Deadline: February 18.

A standard application form is available on request from BOHRF, with further information in the case of the calls for new proposals, which should be completed and returned before the closing deadline to Michael Ladenburg, Chief Executive, BOHRF, at Whitbread PLC, 52 Chiswell Street, London ECIY 4SD. Email: admin@bohrf.org.uk. Web: www.bohrf.org.uk. Telephone: 0171 615 1080 Fax: 0171 615 1147.

Digestive Disorders Foundation. (formerly the British Digestive Foundation)

Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics Trust/Digestive Disorders Foundation joint research training fellowship for research related to therapeutic aspects of gastrointestinal disease, possibly including pathogenesis. The award is for two years to cover a full-time salary (up to specialist registrar grade, if medically qualified) and will provide a medical or science graduate with training in basic science research methods. Up to Pounds 2,000 per annum will be available for research consumables.

Digestive Disorders Foundation/National Association for Colitis and Crohn's Disease joint research training fellowship for research into any aspect of inflammatory bowel disease.

The award is for two years to cover a full-time salary (up to specialist registrar grade, if medically qualified) and will provide a medical or science graduate with training in basic science research methods. Up to Pounds 2,000 per annum will be available for research consumables.

Further information and application forms for fellowships may be obtained from: The Digestive Disorders Foundation, 3 St Andrews Place, London, NW1 4LB or from www.digestivedisorders.org.uk. For postal enquiries, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed A4 envelope.

Deadline: January 25.

Applicants may apply for more than one fellowship per competition. In case of query, telephone Julia Young on tel. 0171 486 0341.

Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths

14 Halkin Street London, SW1X 7DP Tel: 0171 235 0965 Fax: 0171 823 1986 Email:fsid@sids.org.uk www.sids.org.uk/fsid/

Funds research into causes and prevention of cot death, promotes of infant health, disseminates information and supports bereaved families. Research Training Fellowships available for small pilot studies, to train researchers in new techniques and collaborative work. Project grants also available.

Deadline: January 31.

Contact Dr SM Chantler.

The Society for Endocrinology www.endocrinology.org

Prize Studentship The society's fourth research studentship which will be available to support a suitable student studying for a higher degree in the field of endocrinology.

Applications must be made by the student and should be submitted on the application form available from Ann Lloyd in the Bristol office or from the website. It is essential that the application be supported by the student's prospective supervisor, who must be a member of the society. Candidates must have recently graduated with a good honours degree or equivalent.

Further details and application forms are available from 17/18 The Courtyard, Woodlands, Bradley Stoke, Bristol BS32 4NQ. Tel:01454 619036; Fax:01454 616071; email: info@endocrinology.org or from the website.

Deadline: January 14.

Action Research Vincent House, North Parade, Horsham, West Sussex RH12 2DP Tel: 01403 210406 Fax : 01403 210541

Aims: The prevention and treatment of disease and disability and alleviating physical handicap through the funding of medical research Research Training Fellowship Training of young medical and non-medical graduates in research techniques and methodology.

Deadline: January 29.

Restrictions: Preferably aged 23-32. Candidates with PhD can apply provided there is a substantial training element to proposal. Contact: Dr Tracy Swinfield, Research Grants Officer. Telephone: 01403 210406.

The National Eczema Society of Great Britain www.eczema.org

PhD Research studentship applications are invited from interested departments in higher education Institutions in the UK and Ireland. Projects should have a clear relevance to atopic eczema.

Deadline: January 22.

Details available from: The National Eczema Society, 163 Eversholt Street,London NW1 1BU International Agency for Research on Cancer http://www.iarc.fr

The IARC forms part of the World Health Organisation and is situated in Lyon, France.

Postdoctoral fellowships Available to junior scientists under 35 years of age with an MD, PhD or equivalent and no more than three years' postdoctoral research experience in an relevant. Fellowships are awarded for one year and are tenable at the agency.

Application forms are downloadable from the website, and further details regarding IARC's research programmes can be obtained by emailing Mrs E. El Akroud: elakroud@ iarc.fr, or by writing directly to: Mrs E. El Akroud, Secretary to the Selection Committee, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), 150 cours Albert-Thomas, 69372 Lyon cedex 08, France Tel: 33 472 73 84 48; Fax: 33 472 73 83 22.

E-mail: elakroud@iarc.fr Deadline: January 31.

The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine http://www.lister-institute.org.uk/

Senior clinical and non-clinical research fellowships The current Senior Research Fellowship Scheme was initiated in 1982 using a fund set up by the Institute for the support of post-doctoral research in biomedicine. The research topic is of the applicants' own choice but must have relevance to or implications for preventive medicine. The Institute normally awards five 5-year fellowships each year and, whenever possible, at least one fellowship is awarded to a clinician. Restrictions: Fellowships are not awarded to full-time members of Research Council staff nor to employees of medical research charities. Fellowships must be held in British universities. The age limit is 35 for non-clinicians, 37 for clinicians. Applicants above these limit and up to the age of 40 years must request permission to make a full application.

Deadline: January 22.

Contact: The Secretary, Mr Keith Cowey, Tel: 0181 421 8808, Fax: 0181 421 8818 Postal address: The White House, 70 High Road, Bushey Heath, Herts, WD2 3JG Email: secretary@lister-institute.org.uk

World Health Organisation http://www.who.org

The Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR) is an independent global programme of scientific collaboration.

Call For Proposals: Filariases Drug Discovery: Molecular Target Approach Filarial drug discovery research has three goals: 1. Discovery of new macrofilaricides.

2. discovery of agents which effect sterilisation of adult female worms 3.identification of new microfilaricides, to combat any emergence of ivermectin resistance.

Priority should be given to approaches that would aim particularly at adult worms or effect all stages of parasite development. Ideally, the modulation of the target should result in a lethal effect rather than a "static" effect. The target should be amenable for drug discovery. Special attention will be given to those targets that can be supported by additional technologies relevant to drug discovery.

Additional information on Drug Development at TDR, including the most recent TDR Newsletter, grant application forms and instructions for Drug Discovery Proposals can be obtained via the TDR website www.who .int/tdr) or directly from Dr. R. Ridley (email; ridleyr@who.ch) or Dr. J. Lazdins (email: lazdinsj@ who.ch).

Deadline: February 28.

The National Institutes of Health, USA http://www.nih.gov/ grants/guide

Research on Tissue Engineering The purpose of this Tissue Engineering Program Announcement (PA) is to stimulate and foster a wide range of basic and translational studies to:

* develop optimal materials/designs for matrices/scaffolds;

* better understand how matrices/scaffolds interact with cells and their surrounding tissues

* develop better animal models

* validate and standardize the criteria for a successful repair/replacement of tissues and organs. Potential applicants are requested to submit a letter of intent, by February 2, to Dr. James S. Panagis at the address given below Deadline: March 16 on the grant application form PHS 398 (rev. 4/98). Application kits are available from the Division of Extramural Outreach and Information Resources, National Institutes of Health, 6701 Rockledge Drive, MSC 7910, Bethesda, MD 20892-7910, telephone (301) 435-0714.

Email: GrantsInfo@nih.gov. The opportunity to clarify any issues or questions from potential applicants is welcome. Direct inquiries regarding programmatic issues to: James S. Panagis, M.D., M.P.H., Orthopaedics Program, National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, 45 Center Drive, Room 5AS-37K, MSC 4500, Bethesda, MD 20892-6500,Telephone: (301) 594-5055, fax: (301) 480-4543.

Email: jp149d@nih.gov

British Lung Foundation 78 Hatton Garden London EC1N 8JR/ Tel: 0171 831 5831 Fax: 0171 831 5832 Email: blf_user@gpiag-asthma.org http://www.lunguk.org/ blf_foundation.htm

Funds research carried out in the UK into all aspects of lung disease. Applications are invited for clinical, laboratory based and epidemiological research grants which offer advancement in the understanding of lung disease.

The principal applicant should be employed by a recognised research centre within the UK.

Applications are also invited for the British Lung Foundation's Trevor Clay Memorial Grants for practical research, the results of which would be of immediate benefit to people with a lung disease. Application forms are available from the Research Manager at the British Lung Foundation.

Deadline: February 24.

Royal National Institute for the Blind 224 Great Portland Street London W1N 6AA

Telephone 0171-388 1266 Fax 0171-388 2034 Web: http://www.rnib.org.uk

Research Grants Scheme Applications will be accepted from scientists, clinicians or health care workers in UK Universities, medical schools, hospitals and some research institutions. Project grants are available for a defined piece of work with objectives that can be achieved in the time specified. Applicants may be either holders of established posts in a university or research institution, who wish to apply for research support,or post-doctoral scientists whose personal salary forms part of the application. Application forms can be downloaded from the website.

Deadline: February 5.

Funding listings are compiled by Sarah Knowles. 0171 782 3225Email: sarah.knowles@ newsint.co.uk.