Polycystic kidney disease research awards
Kidney research is critically underfunded in the UK, less than 1% of all health research funding goes to kidney research, and a fraction of that amount goes towards polycystic kidney disease (PKD) research specifically. Together with the PKD Charity, we want to address this.
Our dedicated PKD research funding round is part of our joint programme under our ambitious partnership.
We are committed to find new ways to:
- increase our understanding of current and new biological pathways, develop new models and biomarkers to study PKD, and identify new ways to treat it
- explore the potential around genetics and cell-based therapies, genomics and the use of data resources including the UK Rare Renal Registry RaDaR
- better understand complications, including pain, and develop new approaches towards management and treatment.
Expression of interest
We welcome research ideas that will help answer one or more of the seventeen summary questions identified in the James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership (PSP) for autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) and research ideas that focus on autosomal recessive PKD (ARPKD).
We invite expressions of interest from teams or individuals whose ideas offer the potential to address these specific questions.
Research proposals for research project, innovation, intermediate fellowship or PhD studentship grants are invited.
We will only consider one application type per applicant, even if you have several research ideas.
Types of grants available
Research project grant:
These awards support innovative, standalone research projects.
- Funding available: up to £250k
- Funding period: three years maximum
Innovation grant:
These awards are to support new areas of clinical or scientific research where initial pilot/supporting data is required.
- Funding available: up to £40k
- Funding period: over two years maximum
Intermediate fellowship (non-medical):
These awards enable a post-doctoral scientist (at least two years post-PhD) to specialise in renal research.
- Funding available: salary and £15k annual consumables allowance
- Funding period: up to three years maximum
PhD studentship (non-medical):
These awards are available to any UK higher education institute, for renal research that develops the abilities and training needs for a post-graduate in a renal research group.
- Funding available: salary based on the appropriate MRC scale plus £3.5k annual consumables allowance
- Funding period: up to three and a half years maximum
Expression of interest deadline: 5pm, Monday 4 October 2021
Submitting your application
and information on what happens next...
All received submissions will undergo strategic assessment, using both scientific and lay summaries to assess each, taking into consideration how closely the proposal matches the ambitions and themes of this call.
Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full grant application. This invitation is no guarantee of further funding, which will be competitively awarded following full scientific and lay review. Only applications invited to the second stage will be considered.
Applicants will be notified by Monday 18 October 2021 if they are invited for a full application and these must be submitted by Wednesday 24 November 2021.
All applicants must be resident in the United Kingdom and the research must take place in a UK establishment.
We welcome pre-submission enquiries.
You can find more information about our grants in our regulations and conditions.
Expression of interest deadline: 5pm, Monday 4 October 2021
What difference can funding make to you?
"Funding has enabled me to set up preliminary data to apply for intermediate fellowship applications and enabled me to be more competitive in these applications."
Dr Soma Meran, Innovation grant recipient
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