Small Research Study Funding Scheme Applications

The Posture & Mobility Group is keen to support research which will help the group to achieve its aims i.e. to promote best practice, provide training, collate information and advise stakeholders in relation to posture and wheeled mobility services.

At the AGM in Exeter in April 2005 it was agreed that PMG should make £20,000 available to fund a number of small research projects. The first two studies funded are now completed, and several further studies are in process. Reports are posted here as they become available - click on the Projects links on the Research Menu.

PMG has continued to top-up funding for the scheme, and submissions for new proposals are now being sought, with the current deadline of April 30th 2009, for possible funding in 2009.

Further information on the scheme and details on eligibility & how you can apply are given below.

Who can apply ?

• Any PMG member can apply for funding.

 

What theme and type of research ?

• The research must be relevant to the remit of PMG.

• Both quantitative and qualitative research will be considered.

How much can I apply for ?

• The maximum amount funded will not normally be over £5,000.

What costs will be funded ?

• It is intended that this money will be mainly used to pay the replacement salary costs for an individual so that he/she can spend a proportion of his/her time on a specific research study. As a rough example, £5k would pay for someone on a £25k salary for 1 day per week for approximately 12 months. A small proportion of the funding might also be used to cover other research expenses.

Will my study require ethical approval and indemnity ?

• Any funding award will be conditional on the applicant receiving approval from a research ethics committee and also local indemnity (or justification that ethical approval and indemnity are not required). For information about ethical approval go to the website of the National Research Ethics Service http://www.nres.npsa.nhs.uk/

Do I need support from my line manager ?

• It is essential that your line manager or head of department supports your application and is prepared to release you for a proportion of your time to work on the study.

How do I apply ?

• A simple outline proposal will be invited initially. This will avoid the need for a large investment of time if the research question and broad outline of the proposed study are not likely to be supported.

 

• The deadline for submission of outline proposals in the next round of applications is April 30th 2010. Please click here to apply or use the Application Form tab on the left hand menu to submit your proposal.

•The complete application process is shown in a flowchart.

Funding Process Flowchart

•The deadlines for the complete application process are shown in the timetable.

Research Proposal Timeline

Who will judge the proposals ?

• The proposals will be considered by the PMG R&D sub-committee which includes healthcare professionals, users and carers. Sub-committee members will be required to declare any conflict of interest. If an application is made by a colleague of a PMG R&D sub-committee member then that member will not take part in judging that application. If an application is made by a PMG R&D sub-committee member then that member will not take part in judging any applications in that round.

Assessment Criteria

The criteria by which judges will assess proposals are available at:
http://www.pmguk.co.uk/Research/Information/Assessment+Criteria/