A COLLABORATIVE CALL FOR FUNDING PROPOSALS TO SUPPORT
TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH INITIATIVES AT THE UCLH/UCL
COMPREHENSIVE BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRE AND THE ICH/GOSH
AND IOO/MEH SPECIALIST BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRES
UCL is the only university to have 3 National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Biomedical Research Centres, each focused on delivering cutting edge translational
research for patient benefit. The Specialist Biomedical Research Centres of Institute of
Ophthalmology/Moorfields Eye Hospital, Institute of Child Health/Great Ormond Street
Hospital for Children, and the Comprehensive Biomedical Research Centre of UCLH/UCL
have joined forces to issue a call for funding to support collaborative translational
research initiatives which cross their centres.
1. Types of Applications
Proposals are invited that either build on existing research collaborations between the BRCs or
that bring together research groups that have a clear opportunity for collaborative translational
research. This is an inclusive funding call – the BRCs will be guided by translational researchers
and their groupings about the way in which funds can be used to best achieve our collective vision
for excellence in Translational Research.
Applications can be made to support individuals or running costs of scientific proposals or
proposals which seek to build the capacity for collaborative research. Project funding of £50k-
£150k p.a. is available for 1-4 years (typically the awards might support a Clinical Research Fellow
over a 2 year period or a post doc over 3 years). We anticipate being able to make approximately
4-6 awards.
The BRCs would particularly favour proposals that would establish new collaborations, for example
between PIs who have not previously worked together. Pump-priming proposals which aim to
deliver lasting collaborations and further funding bids to external grant funding organisations will
be particularly welcomed. To qualify for the funding call applications should involve at least 2 of
the BRCs. The respective centres will fund the components falling within their own remit.
2. Criteria for awarding funding
i. ESSENTIAL
Capable of delivering research excellence
Cross cutting, bringing together researchers and groups from at least 2 BRCs
Any PI whose proposal meets the objectives of one or more BRC research theme, endorsed
by at least one theme lead from each of the collaborating BRCs.
ii. DESIRABLE
These are not absolute but the more that are satisfied the more likely the proposal is to be given a high
priority:
Develop collaborative research across the BRCs through time and support for projects over the next
3-5 years.
Seed funding with a realistic prospect of generating external income that makes them sustainable
over time.
Matching funding from external sources.
Reflect areas of strength and priority for UCL Biomedicine.
Build on areas of potential in which the BRCs already have a competitive advantage.
Have well defined and realistic outputs that can be measured.
Hold out the prospect of a benefit for some aspect of patient care.
3. Eligible applicants
PIs outside the NHS Trusts can submit a proposal but this has to be in collaboration with a member
of staff at MEH, GOSH or UCLH.
4. Review of proposals
The window for submission of proposals is now open. Proposals should be submitted before 5pm on 30th
September 2008. Further submission details are available on the application form, which is available at
www.ucl.ac.uk/cbrc. Completed proposals should be sent to Caroline Romain, UCLH/UCL CBRC
Administrator (caroline.romain@uclh.nhs.uk)