1. Purpose of the Grants
The overall intention is to encourage and support departments of Acute Medicine to develop research infrastructure, and to support SAM members in developing a research portfolio. The NIHR Study Support Service has a series of specific mechanisms which allows for eligible studies to be allocated resources to assist with study recruitment. This, in turn, also supports researchers to build a track record and indirectly supports additional research to be established. It is therefore expected that all successful applicants will apply for NIHR Study Support. Priority will therefore be given to studies that are automatically eligible; studies potentially eligible will also be considered. See: http://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding-and-support/study-support-service/eligibility-for-nihr-support.
2. Application Requirements
As the grants will be allocated competitively to SAM members, applications need to be sufficiently detailed to support the quality and viability of the research proposed, and that the applicants have the appropriate skills to conduct the research and that the proposal meets with the NIHR Study Support Eligibility Criteria. Because these grants are intended to develop research infrastructure, applications from sites with less established research portfolios are encouraged to apply. Applications from sites with the potential for translation of results into larger scale studies, ideally with the prospect of future Grant awards, is desirable. A maximum of £2000 can be requested per application. More than one application per site may be submitted.
Each application should be signed off by a Clinical Director (or equivalent) in the lead organisation and by the organisational financial officer who will be administering the funding. Contact with local NIHR study support services should be made prior to submission. https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/study-support-service-contacts/11921
Within the application, the research proposal should include the following headings:
1. Research question/Aims
2. Background
3. Plan of investigation
4. Potential value of research to Acute Medicine
5. Potential for academic development of lead applicant
6. Proposed start date and duration
7. Any other relevant information
3. Review Process
Grants will be allocated on a competitive basis. Points will be awarded for the following categories:
1. Scientific rigour.
Are the research question/aims of the study clear? Are the outcomes appropriate? Will the proposed research plan provide an answer to the research question?
2. Relevance to Acute Medicine. Is the proposal content especially relevant and interesting and would it bring new thoughts and ideas to Acute Medicine?
3. Quality. Is the proposal well written?
4. Strength of the research team. Do the co-applicants have the skills to conduct the study proposed?
5. Demonstration of need. Priority will be given to departments with no or low level CLRN support.
There will be three independent reviewers – Tim Cooksley (SAM President), Liz Sapey (SAM Research Lead) and an independent external reviewer (to be appointed). The final decision will sit jointly with the SAM President and the Research Lead.
All applicants will be given feedback, in accordance with NIHR guidelines.
4. Additional CLRN Considerations
For studies to be eligible for additional CLRN support, they need to be multi-centre studies and to be consenting. It is suggested that preference be given to departments which indicate that they have partner sites already agreed. Non-consenting studies will be considered.
5. End of Grant Reports
All grant holders will be required to provide 6 monthly updates on their projects via the Research Committee and a short report to SAM Council within 2 months of the end of the study. Grant holders will be asked to present the findings of their work at a SAM conference within 2 years of the study start date.
Recipients who do not complete their studies within a reasonable time or do provide reports will be ineligible for any further funding.
6. Application Submissions
Completed applications should be returned to the SAM Administrator: (administrator@acutemedicine.org.uk)
The final deadline for applications is: 23:59 on Monday 19th August 2024
Grant winners will be announced at the SAM conference in October 2024.