Description of a small grant
Small grants enable researchers to undertake small research projects or pilot studies related to diabetes. Small grants are not intended to be used for ‘Top-up’ funds.
Financial support
Support may be requested for up to one year; however, longer periods of time may be requested if fully justified.
A small grant offers a maximum of £15,000 in funding.
Salaries
Salaries may be requested, but should not make up the entirety of a small grant. Clinical and secretarial assistance may be provided in some cases, if essential, for the project, but must be fully justified within the application.
Eligibility
Applicants must have a tenured post or be able to demonstrate that they will have a salary and position at the Institution they are applying from, for the lifetime of the grant.
Applicants who are current grant holders must clearly identify that this support is distinct from any current awards held.
Applications are particularly welcome from NHS consultants specialising in diabetes who are within five years of their first appointment.
Deadlines
The next deadlines for this scheme are:
- 1 February 2013 (Committee meets in June 2013)
- 1 December 2013 (Committee meets in May 2014)
How to apply
Please use the Small Grant Application Form (Word, 303KB). If you need further assistance please contact the Research Department at research@diabetes.org.uk.
Clinical grant applications
Diabetes UK is committed to supporting well designed high quality clinical research. Decisions by the Research Committee on a large number of clinical grant applications have recently been negatively influenced by the lack of certain key information. To resolve this, and give clinical applications a better chance of success, we have prepared an additional form to ensure that this information is provided.
Diabetes UK asks that all applicants who intend to recruit participants as part of their study complete the Additional Clinical Information Form (Word, 66KB). The information on this form should be provided in conjunction with the full application form and is designed to assist applicants in providing the information required for the Research Committee to make a decision. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that any relevant information is provided.
If you need advice on providing the information requested we suggest that you contact a colleague experienced in clinical trial design, or ask for assistance from a clinical trials unit or your local NIHR research design service if you are in England.
Administrative processes
Peer review
Applications will be sent out for peer review to researchers who have not published or worked in the same institution as any of the applicants for at least five years. Please consider this when suggesting reviewers in the application.
The Research Committee
Applications are sent to the Research Committee, which meets twice a year to recommend which applications should be funded.
Assessment criteria
Applications are assessed on the following criteria:
- Potential difference the research will make to the lives of people with diabetes.
- Scientific excellence.
- Track record of the applicants.
- Value for money.