Apply for a grant
Early diagnosis Project Grants call is now closed.
Introduction
Our early diagnosis project grant awards allow researchers to apply for up to £165K over a 2-3 year period for innovative research that will help to facilitate a 'stage shift' towards earlier diagnosis of bowel cancer in the UK.
Background
Currently, fewer than 40% of people are diagnosed at stage 1 and 2 when bowel cancer is most treatable and curable. We want to secure a future where most people are diagnosed at the earliest possible stage. Bowel cancer is the second biggest cancer killer in the UK. However, it shouldn't be because it is treatable and curable especially if diagnosed early.
Remit and eligibility
We aim to fund the best highest quality research and our areas of interest include (but aren't limited to):
- understanding and overcoming barriers to symptomatic individuals seeking help
- research into innovative solutions to support earlier diagnosis across primary and secondary care
- initiatives to increase uptake of bowel cancer screening in areas of low engagement, including addressing the impact of health inequalities
- research focused on improving our national bowel cancer screening programmes, including new modes of screening, improvements to using FIT and risk stratification.
Applicants are expected to have some preliminary data to support the application. Funding can cover salaries and consumables (that are direct costs of the project including animal costs).
The Lead Applicant must be based in a recognised academic or clinical institution in the UK and be in a tenured position, or hold a contract with the host that extends beyond the lifetime of the grant.
All costs must be fully justified within the application. We won't cover the costs of tenured staff members on grants, nor those whose salaries are already covered by other means.
We will not accept applications that are:
- Discovery science and research without a clear path to clinical impact
- For further education, e.g. MSc/PhD and course fees
- For Clinical Research Training Fellowships
- For work primarily undertaken outside the UK
- For ‘top up’ funding for specific projects already supported by other funding bodies
Application and Assessment Process
Deadline: Applications (including e-signatures) along with any supporting documents must be submitted via email to research@bowelcanceruk.org.uk by Tuesday 9 July 2024 at 11 am.
Triage: The office will carry out administrative checks to ensure applications meet the remit and eligibility of the call.
Expert Review: Eligible applications will then be subject to international expert review (in line with AMRC guidance). The expert reviewers' comments will be sent to the applicants (anonymously) in early October 2024. Applicants will be given the opportunity to submit a response to the reviewers' comments. Learn more about our expert review process.
Committee Meeting: Applications will then be considered by our Scientific Advisory Board in mid-November 2024, who will make funding recommendations to our Board of Trustees.
Notification: Once the funding recommendations have been ratified by our Board of Trustees, applicants will be notified as to the outcome of their submission via email in December 2024. We appreciate your patience during this time. All awards made will be in line with our terms and conditions.
Patient involvement
Applicants are strongly encouraged to actively involve patient representatives from the outset to help shape and deliver their research project from early design through to the dissemination of results. The involvement of people affected by bowel cancer can lead to better quality and therefore, more fundable, applications. If you'd like us to connect you with a patient representative, please complete the request form on our website.
How to apply
Our 2024 call is now closed for applications.
Contact Us
If you have any questions or would like to discuss an application with the Research team, please email research@bowelcanceruk.org.uk.
To keep up to date about our future funding calls, sign up for grant round notifications.
Further information
- Read about our previously funded projects
- Following receipt of applications, the Scientific Advisory Board will carry out an initial assessment. Learn more about our expert review process
- Read our FAQs on applying for a grant with us
- Find out more about involving patients in your research