Fast Track Grants Scheme for research to assemble pilot data now open

Applications are now open for the Fast Track Grants Scheme and the deadline for applications is 5pm Tuesday 31 August 2021.

The scheme is a collaboration between the BRC and the UCLH Charitable Trustees. Small awards of up to £40,000 are made to enable researchers to assemble pilot data on which to build larger grant applications to external funding bodies.

The scheme will have a particular focus on experimental medicine related to the UCLH BRC. As the source of funding for the fast track scheme is not the NIHR, the fast track scheme will consider pre-clinical proposals and later phase research proposals where alignment with the BRC’s broader goals of translation can be clearly demonstrated.

To apply for CRDC funds the main applicant must be a UCLH or UCL employee and work must be carried out on one of the UCLH sites. These sites include:

  • University College Hospital (UCH)
  • Elizabeth Garrett Anderson and Obstetric Hospital (EGA)
  • National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery (NHNN)
  • Eastman Dental Hospital

Staff working at the following sites are not eligible to apply:

  • Royal Free and Whittington Campuses
  • GOS Institute of Child Health/Great Ormond Street Hospital
  • Institute of Ophthalmology/Moorfields Eye Hospital
  • Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital/Stanmore Campus

Proposals will be particularly welcomed from applicants whose work is in line with the experimental medicine strategies of one or more of the BRC’s Themes in Cancer; Neurological diseases; Dementia; Cardiovascular; Inflammation, Immunity and Immunotherapeutics; Mental Health; Hearing and Deafness, Oral Health and Dentistry; Obesity; Healthcare Engineering and Imaging, and; Healthcare informatics, genomics, omics and data science.

Although open to all grades of staff the fast track scheme is highly appropriate for new Principal Investigators requiring support to build their programme of research. Individuals can only hold/be named as co-investigator on a Fast Track grant once in every three years. We strongly encourage applications from early career researchers with new ideas to pump prime larger studies.

Applications for Fast Track funding are considered by a Committee, which usually meets twice a year. The meeting following the August deadline will be in Autumn 2021 (actual date to be confirmed). If approved, projects may be started immediately. All Fast Track proposals must have the clear support of at least one BRC Programme Director.

For details on how to apply please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/school-life-medical-sciences/about-slms/vacancies.

Proposals must be £40,000 or under, otherwise the applications will not reach the shortlisting stage.

Please make sure that when you send the application form it is fully filled in and complete with all the signatures that are required. Any incomplete application forms will not be accepted.