Science Funding streams remit

The Science Funding division of the Wellcome Trust is organised in a 'stream' structure to focus our activity on science and enable us to be driven by scientific priorities rather than process. Streams FAQ

Cellular, Developmental and Physiological Sciences

This stream covers basic and clinical research relevant to the understanding of biological processes at the cellular, organ, system and whole-animal level in health and disease as well as research in all areas of developmental biology. It thus considers applications in basic cellular biology; whole organ and animal studies and clinical trials; mathematical biology; integrative physiology, pharmacology and toxicology.

Genetic and Molecular Sciences

This stream supports research that aims to increase the understanding of the fundamental biology and specialist functions of molecules and genes; their interactions with one another; and their roles in normal function and disease processes. The stream supports basic molecular studies including biochemistry, biophysics, structural biology, genetics and genomics, bioinformatics, mathematical biology, and the interface between these areas and the physical sciences.

Immunology and Infectious Disease

This stream covers all aspects of immunology and infectious disease in humans and animals, including:

molecular immunology, cellular immunology, immune regulation, and immune signalling
prokaryotic and eukaryotic infections of humans and animals, including cellular and molecular biology, microbial physiology, biodiversity, animal models and structural biology relating to these diseases
disease susceptibility, immunity and resistance in natural hosts, animal models and vectors
study of immunological response, disease mechanisms and diagnosis in humans and animals
vector biology: mechanisms of drug resistance, disease transmission and genetic manipulation of vectors
early-stage development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostic tests in vitro or in human and animal models
infectious disease distribution and transmission.

Methodologies can include:

small scale clinical trials
epidemiology
modelling
bioinformatics and statistics.

Neuroscience and Mental Health

This stream invites applications investigating the function of the nervous system in health and disease. This includes cellular and cognitive neuroscience, as well as clinically oriented proposals investigating common neurological, ophthalmologic and psychiatric conditions.

As well as the schemes listed below, three awards in a new initiative - Masterclasses in Clinical Neuroscience - have been made (see press release, 3 April 2007).This scheme aimed to bring together basic researchers and clinicians, to tackle key clinical problems in the field and to promote translational research.

Population and Public Health

This stream covers research to understand the determinants of infectious and non-communicable disease, and quality of life in populations and to provide a sound evidence base to inform decisions in public health. Promoting translation into policy and practice, and fostering disease prevention approaches, are other important aims. Research projects can relate to health and disease in developing countries or the UK/Republic of Ireland. Multidisciplinary research is particularly encouraged.

Research of interest includes:

epidemiology of infectious and chronic disease in populations; measurement of disease burden
development and evaluation of healthcare interventions in humans and animals, particularly cost-effective solutions for disease prevention, diagnosis and treatment in developing countries (phase I-III and effectiveness studies; see clinical trials policy)
modelling of disease distribution, transmission and control when a social/human behaviour component is included
demographic, social science and health economic studies, including health inequalities
research at the biomedical and social science interface
multifactorial studies of disease; complex interactions between genetic, environmental, behavioural and societal factors, including case-control series
population genomics; genetic variation in populations as risk factors and determinants of disease susceptibility and outcome
bioinformatics and statistics as generic tools for population research including linkage between data sets
healthcare systems and policy research, including health informatics
vector control: implementation of interventions, evaluating interventions and environmental impact.

Support is also provided for major resources such as on-going large-scale prospective long-term cohort studies in the UK and overseas.

Applicants are encouraged to consider the relevance their anticipated research outcomes may have for policy and practice. This information should be included in applications where appropriate and funds may be requested to carry out associated activities.

Streams frequently asked questions

What are the streams?
The streams are five science-oriented groupings of staff and activity within Science Funding. These are intended to broadly cover all areas of biomedical science. The streams are:

Cellular, Developmental and Physiological Sciences
Genetic and Molecular Sciences
Immunology and Infectious Disease
Neuroscience and Mental Health
Populations and Public Health

Which stream should I approach for information or with an application?
The primary scientific area of proposed research is the factor used to decide which group of staff at the Wellcome Trust will handle your funding request or enquiry. For most research it should be clear as to which stream will be most appropriate for you to approach.

What if my proposal does not fit into one of the streams, or crosses a number of them?
There will be some research areas/proposals that do not fall naturally into a stream, or cross a number of them (e.g. multidisciplinary research). In these circumstances the stream that seems most appropriate, based on the fundamental purpose of the proposed research, should be approached. If it is not possible to identify a stream using this mechanism, the application can be submitted to any stream that might be appropriate and Trust staff will address it. (See next question.)

What happens if I send my request to the wrong stream?
Once received your request will be assessed and, if it is felt that a different area of the division would better handle it, will be moved between streams. You will be notified of this, and it will not delay or adversely affect the processing of your request or application in any way.

If I already have a contact at the Wellcome Trust, should I use them, or go to the appropriate stream?
It is best to go to the stream directly, as responsibilities of staff can change.

I wish to apply in response to a specific call for proposals - should I still go through a stream?
The call for proposals should specify who to approach. The vast majority of our ongoing grant activity is handled through the science-led streams structure.

If further guidance is required, please contact the relevant stream