Scientific Foundation Board (SFB)
NEW Re-launch of Scientific Foundation Board 2009 of new
maximum £20,000 funding award per study
The Scientific Foundation Board is pleased to
announce that the maximum grant award per application has been
increased to £20,000. The Board’s objective is to
support high quality primary care research studies, particularly
where they also increase research skills in general practice. This
substantial increase in the maximum award recognises the increased
costs of undertaking research to a high standard.
The Board has also agreed to offer a new type
of funding, the Practitioners Allowance Grant, of
up to £1,000. This is available by application to clinicians who
face difficulties in acquiring direct costs for a specific research
activity within their practice.
Background Information
The Scientific Foundation Board was established at the College
in 1976 as a charitable funding body of the College. It
awards grants for research projects whose findings will be of
direct relevance to the care of patients in the general practice
setting. Any GP, primary health care professional or
university based researcher may apply for a grant for scientific
research to be undertaken in the UK, these can kick start the
beginning of a distinguished research career. The Board is
currently chaired by Professor Greg Rubin.
The maximum award for any single study is
now £20,000. The Board also considers applications
for the Practitioners Allowance Grant of £1,000
or less. The Board is continuing its partnership
arrangements both with Heart Research UK and with the BUPA
Foundation to enable more applications to be funded, over and above
those which can be supported from the Board’s capital
fund.
All applications will be reviewed and judged by the Board, but our
funding partners will also consider relevant and scientifically
sound applications in their special topic areas, prior to a final
decision on the source of funding.
Our funding partners are particularly interested in supporting
applications relating to:
- The prevention and treatment of
cardiovascular disease (Including lifestyle changes
and medical and psychosocial interventions)
- Preventive health
(Projects covering all health environments (including the
workplace) from epidemiology to health maintenance)
- Information and
communication (Projects designed to enhance the
partnership between medical professionals and the
public/patients)
The Board has no research priorities of its own, it is a
source of funding for interesting studies which do not fall within
the NHS research agenda. Grants are awarded for studies which
are of direct relevance to general practice and which are
undertaken within the UK. High priority is given to applications
from young and/or new researchers who have not previously
been funded, or pilot studies and short term studies
lasting up to about 18 months. Applications will also be considered
from practising GPs and other members of the primary health care
team.
How to apply
The application form
and the general
guidelines apply regardless of the source of funding. To
be eligible for funding, projects must relate to a research project
in any topic relevant to health care in the primary care
setting.
£20,000 Grant
The closing date for applications for
grants over £1,000 is June 30 each
year. The Board usually meet in October and
applicants will be notified by December. Please note that
applicants are required to send 14 hard copies.
Practitioners Allowance Grant
Applications for grants under £1,000 are considered under
Chairman's Action throughout the year. Applicants should be
notified within 4-6 weeks. Please note that only one hard
copy is required.
Applications must be sent to the CIRC team by post
and email:
CIRC
31 Southampton Row, Room 2.08
Holborn
London WC1B 5HJ
circ@rcgp.org.uk
Information for Grant Holders
All SFB Grant Holders must complete a Final
Report within 12 months of the completion of the
study. Grant Holders for studies over 12 months must also
complete an Interim Report (a Second Interim Report
for studies over 24 months would also be required).
Awards
More information about past SFB studies can be found in the
table provided below:
circ@rcgp.org.uk
0203 170 8231