Institute set to announce research grant winners
Researchers across the region will find out this week if their projects will be funded by the North Staffordshire Medical Institute.
A committee of experts has been sifting through applications for the charity’s annual research grants and is set to announce its decisions following a meeting on Monday, February 19th.
It will award sums of up to £20,000 towards three schemes designed to enhance understanding of disease and create more effective treatments. Previous recipients have included research groups investigating cancer, diabetes, heart disease and premature birth.
Jacqui Robinson, manager at the Institute, said they were keen to attract as many applications as possible to ensure the best possible quality. She said: “There’s only a limited amount of funds available so we consider what’s most appropriate and in line with the Medical Institute’s guidelines.
“The committee is made up of established scientists and researchers so they know whether or not it’s going to work and whether it’s feasible.”
The committee also includes several lay members to provide a different perspective on which projects are worth funding.
They sift through up to 20 applications each year, which must already have been through an independent peer review process and gained approval from a local ethics committee if patients will be involved.
She added: “If they need ethical approval and we don’t receive a copy they won’t get any money.
“We encourage as many people as possible to apply and it’s open to any allied health professionals in North Staffordshire. We need to be sure that the quality is there though.”
Researchers are invited to apply for the annual awards – normally worth around £60,000 a year – via the Institute’s website every autumn.
Applications are now closed for the 2018 research awards, but are due to open shortly for the Firelighter Awards in collaboration with the University Hospital of the North Midlands NHS Trust.
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