Guts UK/BSPGHAN Small Grants

Guts UK and the British Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition (BSPGHAN) have identified pancreatitis and pancreatic diseases as an area to prioritise to improve treatments and healthcare interventions for the children affected. For the first time we will co-fund a call for a start-up grant to support research studies on paediatric pancreatitis and pancreatic diseases.

RESEARCH SCOPE Guts UK and BSPGHAN are inviting applications for research studies on pancreatitis and pancreatic diseases in children. We have identified these conditions as an area to prioritise to improve treatments and healthcare interventions for the children affected.

This award is envisaged as a development grant for the collection of pilot or proof-of-concept data that will enable a high-quality competitive application to be made subsequently to a research council or other large funder, such as the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR). Applications can include, but are not limited to, research projects focused on establishing or expanding clinical registries that will allow collection of relevant epidemiology data are welcome.

Applications will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Scientific excellence (plausibility, feasibility, importance, originality, potential to elicit clinically useful results).
• Value for money.
• Suitability of research team (track record of the applicants).
• The potential difference the research will make to the lives of patients.
• The potential for further funding and/or follow up studies.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS Guts UK are keen that the research starts as soon as possible and it is expected that the research project will start within 6 months of the award date. Ethical approval, if required by the project, will be needed before the work commences. All licenses pertaining to research using animals must be valid and in place.

Provided the study meets the NIHR’s definition of a ‘research study’ the selected project(s) will also be eligible for adoption by the UK Clinical Research Network and therefore will be eligible for NIHR support. For clinical research proposals applicants are encouraged to contact their local NIHR Clinical Research Network for advice as early as possible.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA The grant call is open to clinician and scientist investigators, including Academic Clinical Lecturers, based at a UK university or hospital. The principal applicant must have a contract of sufficient length to cover the duration of the research project. At the time of applying the principal applicant must have their salary guaranteed for the entire period of the research project. This award is not for a fellowship; the principal applicant must not be a fellow though co-applicants may be. Funding will be available only in the UK.

BUDGET AND RESEARCH DURATION The maximum allowed budget is £10,000. Only the direct costs associated with the project will be funded. This grant is not intended to be used as ‘top-up’ funds to meet a shortfall in funding from another body. Overhead allocation or other indirect costs, including senior or supervisory posts which are already covered by other funding will not be funded. Publication, open access, and public relations costs, attendance at conferences and equipment or capital costs will not be funded either. All costs must be clearly explained and justified. Awards are provided for up to 24 months.