Research links and sources of funding

There are many sources of funding for imaging projects in the UK. Below a number of funding bodies are listed with a short summary of the type of awards. To ensure the most up to date information use the link to the relevant funding body. This section also provides a summary of potential sources of funding for clinical radiology trainees wishing to spend a period of time in clinical or laboratory-based research.

UK sources I US and European funding bodies

UK sources

RCR Research Fellowships

The RCR do not currently offer independent Clinical Research Fellowships. However, clinical radiologists are advised to see details of the MRC/RCR Joint Research Training Fellowships; and members of both Faculties are advised to see details of the Cancer Research UK/RCR Joint Research Training Fellowships.
Details of past RCR Research Fellowships

Cancer Research UK

Several different types of funding schemes covering a range of research areas in cancer are available.
Website: http://science.cancerresearchuk.org/

Medical Research Council

These Fellowships are for outstanding post-doctorates to consolidate the research skills, and they are available for five years. Calls for proposals are regularly posted on the MRC website in a variety of disciplines.

National Institute for Health Research

Provides a range of well resourced funding streams grouped into programs, each with its own remit and application criteria.
Examples of the programs are given below but a comprehensive list is available.

This programme funds studies on cost-effectiveness in imaging technologies. There are commissioned calls which are advertised four times a year and open calls for investigator-led proposals for evaluation studies and clinical trials. There are four deadlines each year.

This programme funds regionally derived applied research projects to improve healthcare delivery to patients. Funds projects developed by health service staff in partnership with health service users which will impact on day to day practice. Up to £250,000 is available over three years.

Wellcome Trust

Research training fellowships are available for 2-3 years to those who have passed their FRCR exam and have little or no research experience. The fellowship includes a salary and reasonable research expenses. Applications are considered three times per annum. Research grants are focused on the following topics:

  • Maximising the health benefits of genetics and genomics
  • Understanding the brain
  • Combating infectious disease
  • Investigating development, ageing and chronic disease
  • Connecting environment, nutrition and health. 

Contact: Wellcome Trust; 183 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE.
Website: http://www.wellcome.ac.uk/

Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme

This is funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC) and managed by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The EME programme is broadly aimed at supporting 'science driven' studies with an expectation of substantial health gain. The clinical studies are likely to be mostly randomised, controlled trials but other forms of evaluation appropriate for the intervention under study will also be supported. Both the EME and HTA will fund technology evaluation.
Website: http://www.eme.ac.uk/

Leverhulme Trust

Research Fellowships of up to £45,000 for between 3-24 months is available to release experienced researchers from routine duties to undertake original research; awards are not limited to those in university appointments but excluded are those registered for degrees.
Contact: The Secretary, Research Awards Advisory Committee, The Leverhulme Trust, 1 Pemberton Row, London EC4A 3BG.
Website: http://www.leverhulme.ac.uk/

The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine

Research Prizes of £200,000 over a five-year period are awarded to young clinical and non-clinical scientists to help them to pursue their personal research interests in biomedical science or related scientific areas. The money can be spent on equipment, travel, consumables, salaries for a replacement lecturer, visiting scientists, post-doctorate or PhD students but not personal salary. Any scientist with a minimum of three and less than ten years' post-doctoral experience who is holder of university appointment or other equivalent research position, or of long-term fellowship is eligible.
Website: www.lister-institute.org.uk/

NIAW Medical & Healthcare Educational Funding Programme 

The NIAW would like to establish a community of educators, mentors and tutors committed to promoting improvements in education that we teach future healthcare professionals within NHS Wales. The Academy will support enthusiastic professionals along their personal educational journey, be it PgC or PhD level, with the aim of providing a support framework to support the learner during their study but also provide a platform on which they can practice their new skills in a supported environment. 

Applications should demonstrate personal and professional development in order to increase effectiveness in current or future job roles that contribute to diagnostic imaging and its workforce.

Website: https://imagingacademy.wales/medical-healthcare-educational-funding-programme

Peel Medical Research Trust

Fellowships are available for research, advanced study or acquisition of a new clinical skill not available in the UK. Up to £30,000 is available to enable the applicant to spend up to one year abroad at a centre of international excellence.

Research Grants are available in research specifically aimed at benefitting older people, to include Alzheimer's disease, Macular Disease, Prostate Cancer, and Parkinson's Disease. Preference is given to applications from Lancashire (especially Lancaster and District), Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Merseyside areas.
Contact: Peel Medical Research Trust, Sceptre Court, 40 Tower Hill, London EC3N 4DX.
Website: http://www.peeltrust.com/

British Society of Interventional Radiology: Research Grant

This grant funds interventional radiology research and is awarded in open competition. Full details on the BSIR website

Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust

Postgraduate awards available for those studying higher degrees or degrees in medicine, dentistry or veterinary science at a university in the UK.
Contact: The Sir Richard Stapley Educational Trust, North Street Farmhouse, Sheldwich, Nr. Faversham, Kent ME13 OLN.
Email: admin@stapleytrust.org
Website: http://www.stapleytrust.org/

Wingate Scholarships

Awards of up to £10,000 per year for up to three years.
Contact: Administrator, Wingate Scholarships, Queen Anne Business Centre, 28 Broadway, London SW1H 9JX.
Website: http://www.wingatescholarships.org.uk/

Radiological Research Trust

Charity dedicated to radiological research. Awards smaller grants to research projects in the field of radiology.
Website: http://www.radiologicalresearchtrust.org/

Specific charities

There are many charities dedicated to specific diseases which vary in resource and offer small to large research grant support. Examples include:

Other useful links

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US and European funding bodies

European Commission: 7th Framework Programme

This 'Gateway to European research and development' lies on the CORDIS website. At the community level, the Union possesses three key support instruments: Cohesion policy which is funded under the Structural Funds and Cohesion Fund; the Research Framework Programme; and the Competitiveness and Innovation Framework Programme.
Website: http://cordis.europa.eu/home_en.html

Howard Hughes Medical Institute

Non-US citizens have to undertake their research at a US institution.
Website: http://www.hhmi.org/

United States: National Institutes for Health (NIH)

The NIH provides financial support in the form of grants, co-operative agreements and contracts. This assistance supports the advancement of the NIH mission of enhancing health, extending healthy life, and reducing the burdens of illness and disability. While NIH awards many grants specifically for research, they also provide grant opportunities that support research-related activities, including: fellowship and training, career development, scientific conferences, resource and construction. 

Collaborative NIH projects with US partners may be more open to allocating elements of research funding outside the United States. 

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