Strategic Awards in Biomedical Science
Purpose
Strategic Awards provide flexible forms of support to facilitate research and/or training that is not possible under existing schemes. The aim is to add value to excellent research groups.
'Added value' may be demonstrated in a number of ways, for example:
- capacity building in specific fields through training of research students or fellows
- development and establishment of new technologies, facilities or resources
- thematic and/or interdisciplinary research collaborations involving combinations of basic scientists, clinicians (medical and veterinary) and non-biologists (e.g. mathematicians, physicists, chemists, engineers, social scientists)
- advancement of specific strategic areas
- translation of basic research into policy and practice.
Strategic Awards must involve a partnership with the host institution.
See our current highlighted areas to find out the areas in which applications are particularly encouraged.
Details of the competition for the award of up to four new Four-Year PhD Programmes for basic scientists have been announced, in association with the launch of the Wellcome Trust's Strategic Plan for 2010-20.
What's included
Awards are normally for five years and can provide funds for:
- equipment
- support staff
- consumables
- training programmes
- networking
- biological, clinical or epidemiological research resources.
Limited capital building or refurbishment essential to the programme can also be requested.
The support available can be tailored to the needs of individual groups with agreement from the relevant Trust office; tailored support requests must be justified in terms of the added value they will provide.
Eligibility
Applications will be considered from principal applicants based either in the UK or the Republic of Ireland - or working overseas but with an academic base in the UK or Republic of Ireland - who meet our eligibility criteria and are recognised international leaders in their field.
Current and former International Senior Research Fellows are also eligible to apply as principal applicants, provided they are based in an eligible institution in a developing/restructuring country.
Strategic Awards must involve a partnership with the host institution. A written commitment from the institution is a prerequisite to submitting an application; this should explain how the proposal fits with the strategic aims and priorities of the institution.
Application process
You (prospective applicant) are required to submit a preliminary application, which should include the following information:
- your track record - you must complete the CV pages [Word 108KB] (these are questions 14 and 15 from the standard project grant application form)
- high-level aims and objectives, and how the proposal represents added value (maximum of two pages)
- key targets, milestones and management structures, if appropriate (maximum of two pages)
- duration of support requested and outline costings broken down into main headings (e.g. staff, equipment)
- a statement from the head of the institution, indicating how the proposal fits within the context of the institution's strategic vision and what financial commitment the institution will make to the group if the application is successful.
If your preliminary application is successful, you will be invited to submit a full application. The relevant form will be provided to you at this time.
Your full application will be sent for peer review and will then be considered by the Strategic Awards Committee. The Committee meets four times a year and you may be asked to make a presentation to support your case.
You will be given the opportunity to comment on referees' opinions before the Committee meeting.
Application advice
Prior to submitting a preliminary proposal, you are encouraged to contact a member of Trust staff from the appropriate funding department to discuss your application (please see Contacts).
Proposals that facilitate interdisciplinary research are particularly encouraged. In addition, from time to time we may highlight particular areas of research and/or training in which bids for Strategic Awards are encouraged. In such cases, application deadlines may be specified so that bids from different institutions can be considered in competition alongside each other.
See our current highlighted areas to find out the areas in which applications are particularly encouraged.
The next competition for the award of new, stand-alone Four Year PhD Programmes will be held in 2009/10. Further details will be provided in due course.
Deadlines
Preliminary applications may be submitted at any time and are assessed on a rolling basis.
The competition for the award of new, stand-alone Four Year PhD Programmes has been announced.
Contacts
Enquiries may be directed to the appropriate funding stream, or by telephone to the Grants Management Helpdesk: +44 (0)20 7611 2020.
Immunology and Infectious Disease
F +44 (0)20 7611 7288
E
iid@wellcome.ac.uk
Populations and Public Health
F +44 (0)20 7611 7288
E
pph@wellcome.ac.uk
Neuroscience and Mental Health
F +44 (0)20 7611 8687
E
nmh@wellcome.ac.uk
Physiological Sciences
F +44 (0)20 7611 8687
E
phs@wellcome.ac.uk
Molecules, Genes and Cells
F +44 (0)20 7611 8352
E
mgc@wellcome.ac.uk