Non-drug approaches grants

Parkinson’s UK is the largest member-led charitable funder of Parkinson’s research in Europe. So far, we’ve invested almost £100 million in ground-breaking research.

Non-drug approaches to Parkinson’s are important to people affected by Parkinson’s and at some stages of the condition, are of equal or greater importance than pharmacological treatment. We are keen to fund research that focuses on what matters most and improves quality of life for people affected by Parkinson’s in the shorter term. We're looking for projects that, if successful, have a clear pathway to be made more widely available to people affected by Parkinson's as soon as possible. The proposed plan for the pathway to clinical adoption forms a major part of the grant assessment process.

Alongside medication, other approaches - such as living aids, exercise and therapies - can play a vital part in helping people to manage daily life and take control of Parkinson's.

These may include:

• speech and language, physio and occupational therapies
• approaches to managing mental health
• lifestyle changes including exercise and nutrition
• aids and devices
• complementary therapies The focus of the scheme is to improve quality of life for people with Parkinson's in the shorter term.

● We’re keen to receive applications from researchers working in the above areas, related to Parkinson’s. This is not an exhaustive list. ● The duration of a non-drug approaches grant is for a maximum of two years. ● There is no minimum value for the non-drug approaches grants, however, the maximum cost of applications is up to £200,000. ● If the application involves a drug or preclinical testing, it should be submitted to the project grant scheme.

● Applications must be directly relevant to people currently living with Parkinson’s. ● Grants are tenable at a UK university, NHS trust, statutory social care organisation or other UK research institution. ● Principal applicants should hold employment or honorary (if a clinical academic) contracts with the UK host institution that extend beyond the period of the grant. ● Applicants may be new to Parkinson’s research, but must have relevant Parkinson’s experience within the proposed team. ● Co-applicants and collaborators may be based at institutions outside the UK and / or at pharmaceutical or biotech companies. There is no upper limit to the number of co-applicants / collaborators that can be added to an application. ● Applicants should read Research grant terms and conditions and the charity’s research grants costs guidance before completing the application form. ● Applicants should be directly relevant to the charity’s research priorities.