Project grants

Our project grants are for established researchers in the UK or Ireland who have a strong track record in their field, and who want to work in one of our priority areas. We are committed to supporting new investigators in breast cancer research and we also encourage applications from talented researchers at the start of their independent careers, including postdoctoral researchers.

The aim of our project grant funding scheme is to support scientific excellence and innovative research into breast cancer. Our Grants Committee (GC) will assess your application based on:

• The research plan
• Clear relevance to breast cancer research
• The perceived outcomes that will lead to a significant advance in understanding of breast cancer and its impact It is the expectation that the awards will enrich scientific understanding and expertise in breast cancer research. Applicants should have conducted independent research in the field of breast cancer or be an experienced researcher in a related field, and wish to build on their history and reputation in the breast cancer area, deepening their knowledge and experience.

Awards can be from one to three years and can cover staff salary, research expenses and essential equipment. Co-Applicants and Collaborators may be based elsewhere.

Collaborative applications from within UK and Ireland are welcome, although the contracted grant (and associated funding arrangements) will be with the Lead Applicant's institution. Named academic/clinical Collaborators are permitted from outside the UK or Ireland. Applicants must have a strong track record in their field.

Project grants are available up to the value of £230,000 – costs requested must not exceed this cap and will include the £1,900 for conference costs.

Our project grants are for established researchers in the UK or Ireland who have a strong track record in their field, and who want to work in one of our priority areas.

However, we are committed to supporting new investigators in breast cancer research and we encourage applications from talented researchers at the start of their independent careers.

We are interested in funding research that supports improvements in the prevention, detection and treatment of all forms of breast cancer, and welcome applications from all disciplines.

Please note the following:

• The applicant must be based within the UK or Ireland in a recognised research institution, medical school, or university.
• Lead Applicants must be a permanent salaried member of staff at a recognised research institution, medical school, or university in UK or Ireland and able to lead their own independent research for the duration of the award.
• However, Lead Applicants with a fixed-term position may apply as long as the grant falls fully within the period covered by their tenure, but cannot request costs for their salary.
• Applicants should have a strong academic track record in the field of breast cancer.
• Principal Investigators may not apply for more than one project grant as lead PI but may be apply as a * Co-Applicant or Collaborator on more than one application.

The following are not eligible and will not be accepted:

• Research into conditions other than breast cancer. We do accept co-morbidity projects.
• Applications for equipment only. We will accept requests for equipment as part of a larger grant, but you must include a clear justification for the equipment in your research proposal.
• Applications which request funding for consumables or running costs only.
• Applications from a commercial entity.
• Applications from an individual who is NOT employed by an eligible institution i.e. a university or research institute.
• Requests to cover salary costs of tenured Co-Applicants.
• Project applications that request PhD studentship stipend costs or MD training costs (Breast Cancer Now offers a PhD grant funding scheme).
• Applications for methods or service development.
• We will consider applications for research that will take place within the NHS. Should the research become part of a clinical trial, we will fund the research but will not act as a sponsor. Please also refer to attributing the cost of health and social care Research and Development (AcoRD).

Applications should be made using our online grant management system Grant Tracker. You must complete all sections of the application form (see guidelines here) and yourself, any Co-Applicants, the Head of Department and the University/Institution Research Grants office (or finance office if not applicable) must complete the declarations online in order to submit your application. Co-Applicants must confirm their involvement and provide a full CV online. Each Collaborator must confirm their involvement in the project online and provide a letter detailing their role in the project.

We use a preliminary screening step in our review process. The Grants Committee members carry out an initial review of all the applications and identify those they think will not be competitive. These applications will not be sent out for external peer review and will not be considered for funding.

If we are not going to take your application any further, we will let you know within 12 weeks of the application deadline, and we will send you feedback from the Grants Committee.