We know that it is often a struggle to get that first big research grant. To help newly-appointed university lecturers and research fellows, in human nutrition, to undertake the pilot work needed to generate data that can be used as the basis of a more substantial grant application, the British Nutrition Foundation will again be providing grants to two individuals in 2017, each of £5000.
These grants have been made possible through BNF’s management of the Drummond Memorial Fund, established in memory of the work and contribution of Sir Jack Drummond (see http://www.nutrition.org.uk/aboutbnf/whatwedo/drummondmemorialfund for more information).
The recipients of the two grants in 2017 were Dr Megan Rossi from King’s College London and Dr Ros Fallaize from the University of Reading and the University of Hertfordshire. Information about their research projects can be found here.
Applicants must be working in the field of human nutrition in the UK and be within 3 years of their first academic appointment. There is no restriction on the type of study but preference will be given to studies involving humans (in vivo, in vitro and ex vivo work) and those with relevance to whole foods or diets rather than just supplements. It is a requirement that the funding should be used to obtain pilot data that will lead to the applicant’s first major grant application. The source of funding (BNF Drummond Memorial Fund) should be acknowledged in the subsequent grant application and in any publications arising from the work.
The award
Successful applicants will be invited to our BNF Annual Day (including formal lunch and annual lecture) on 20 November 2018 where they will be presented with a certificate (attendance is optional).
Eligibility criteria
The applicant must be within 3 years of their first academic appointment (i.e. postdoctoral researcher, research fellow or lecturer).
As the award is for early stage researchers, individuals who have been a principle investigator or co-principal investigator on a successful UK Research Council or EU funded grant are not eligible to apply.
Drummond awards may be used to fund consumables or equipment (e.g. lab or other materials), travel or human subject honoraria. Applications requesting funding towards salaries will not be considered.
Selection process
Applications will be reviewed both internally by BNF and externally by selected members of the BNF Council (applications will be blinded for external judging) therefore must be suitable for assessment by scientists of different disciplines.
To apply
Please submit a short CV (maximum 3 pages) and a summary and justification of the planned work (maximum 1000 words). This should include the study aims and objectives, a description of study methods, timeline, and a cost breakdown. Proposals will be judged on their potential impact, so applicants must explain how the work will feed into a major grant application and include information on the proposed funding agency and the grant type.
Please also provide a letter of support from your Head of Department.
Completed applications should be sent to Alex White – a.white@nutrition.org.uk.
Timeline
Closing date for applications: 5pm on 31st January 2018.
Judging will take place during February and March 2018.
Winners will be announced by the end of April 2018.
Funding will be awarded by the end of May 2018.
Awards ceremony at BNF Annual Day 20 November 2018