2024 project grant call: now open

We would like to receive applications for the funding of hypothesis-driven pre-clinical or clinical research that addresses areas of large unmet need and demonstrates a clear pathway to clinical impact in one of these three priority areas. Projects must have a mechanistic hypothesis and a clear pathway to translation.

Additionally, we will fund the development of models that enhance these three themes and facilitate translation. Models may be in vivo or other 3D models, and must support the future testing of a mechanistic hypothesis.

Submission deadline: midday on Wednesday 10th January 2024

Priority themes

• Headache and facial pain. We want to fund research that aims to improve the management and treatment of headache or facial pain disorders. Within this remit, we will fund research that addresses the fundamental causes, mechanisms, diagnosis or treatment of headache and facial pain.
• Neuro-oncology. We want to fund research that aims to improve clinical outcomes for patients with primary tumours of the brain or spinal cord. Within this remit, we will fund research that addresses the fundamental causes, mechanisms, diagnosis or treatment of primary tumours of the brain or spinal cord, and associated neurological complications.
• Acquired brain and spinal cord injury. We want to fund research that aims to protect or restore function in patients following brain or spinal cord injury. Within this remit, we will fund research that addresses the mechanisms of the injury, the mechanisms of the recovery process, and determinants of outcome.  

We will not accept applications outside of these three themes.  

What can be funded? 

Our project grants are intended to provide funds for the employment of research staff and the purchase of essential equipment and consumables for projects lasting up to three years.  

Requests for the support of pilot studies are welcomed.

The maximum grant size is £300,000. Capital funding for the purchase of equipment is capped at £20,000.

Early career researchers

We encourage applications from early career researchers - defined as those with up to 10 years post-doctoral research (at 1st March 2024), taking into account periods of extended leave. Early career applicants should have their own salary already in place (as should all Lead applicants).

Application process

There is a two-stage application process.

The first stage involves submission of a preliminary application, via our online portal. The deadline for submission of preliminary applications is midday on Wednesday 10th January 2024.

Submitted applications will be reviewed and short-listed by the members of our Scientific Advisory Panel. Short listing decisions will in each case be based on:

• the project's fit with our remit, its perceived need and potential impact; and
• the project's feasibility, including the capacity of the research team to successfully carry out the research.

Short-listed applicants will then be invited to submit a detailed proposal for full review.

Queries

Please read the application guidelines, available below, before completing your application via our online portal.  

In case of any queries not addressed in the guidelines, please call Katie Martin on 0117 909 4809 or email katie.martin@brainresearchuk.org.uk  

Documents for download