Programme Grants
For long-term support on a 5 year rolling
basis
Entry requirements
- The principal investigator will be a
senior researcher working in an established research institution in
the UK. He/she must have a strong track record of project grant
support, usually from us, and an internationally recognised
research profile.
- The proposed research plan must be
extensive and imaginative, but remain focused.
Grant duration
- 5 years initially, with an interim review at the half way
point. Programme Grants offer long-term support on a 5 year rolling
basis, extendable by a successful renewal application (see later
details).
Award may include
- Staff. For example: technician; research
assistant; postdoctoral salaries. This excludes PhD
studentships.
- Research consumables, directly attributable to the project
- Research equipment essential for the project
How to apply
Preliminary outline proposal
Prospective applicants must have submitted a preliminary outline
at least 18 months before the expected start date and
received our approval to submit a full application. Full
applications will not be considered without our prior approval
to submit.
In order to decide whether it is appropriate to apply, please
complete the online preliminary application
form following the instructions in the GMS User Guide.
Additional information
You will be asked to attach a single PDF to
your online application form containing the following information:
- Name, department and institute for each co-applicant (maximum
of 4 co-applicants allowed).
- Background to your proposal.
- Research proposals for the next 5 years, including objectives
and the main methods to be used to tackle the research aims.
- Your objectives in the longer term.
- An explanation of why the research requires programme rather
than project grant support.
- Summary of expected costs.
- Relevant current and recent grants held by Principal
Investigator and Co-applicants.
- List of the Principal Investigator's and Co-applicant(s)
relevant publications.
Sections 1-6 must not exceed 3 A4 sides.
Please ensure Arial font size 12 is used. If
this font size is not used, the application will be rejected prior
to formal consideration.
Outline proposals should be submitted at least 18 months before
the expected start date of any award. Allow 1 month for your
outline to be considered.
Full applications
Once a preliminary application is approved you
will be able to complete a full online
application form following the instructions in the GMS User Guide.
Additional information
You will be asked to attach a single PDF
document to your online application form containing the following
information:
- Abstract of the proposed investigation in less than 150
words.
- Background to the project and pilot data.
- Original hypothesis.
- Experimental details and design of proposed investigation.
- Power calculations.
- Expected value of results.
- Outline plan of research after 5 years.
- List of references relevant to the proposed project.
- List of Principal Investigator's and Co-applicant(s) relevant
publications.
- Additional pages for appendices (e.g. charts, graphs, photos);
must be kept to a minimum and should be submitted only if essential
to the understanding of the application.
- Brief CV (2 A4 sides including email address) of named staff
for whom salary is requested.
- Supporting letters from collaborators.
- Quotes obtained for requested equipment.
- Valid copy of ethical approval if relevant.
Sections 1-7 must not exceed 10 A4
sides. The PDF file size must not exceed 20 MB.
Please ensure Arial font size 12 is used. If this
font size is not used, the application will be rejected prior to
formal consideration.
Programme Grant renewals
If you are renewing your Programme Grant for a
further period, in addition to items 1 - 14 above, you must also
complete and include the
Annual and Final Report Form in the
PDF attachment.
Principal investigators must discuss with us
the timing of renewal applications 18 months before the end date of
their current award, as we will not be responsible for costs
incurred after the end date during the renewal process. The
application process, beginning with an outline proposal, is
otherwise the same.
Decision process
There are no closing dates. Please submit the application when
it is ready.
We will acknowledge receipt of your application
within 24 hours and we will advise you when you can expect the
result. A decision will be reached by the Chairs and programme grants committee (4
meetings a year) after it has considered external peer review
reports.
Since programme grants are rarely awarded without
revision, the application should be submitted 12 months before the
expected start date.
Apply online
