Child and Adolescent Musculoskeletal Pain

The Medical Research Foundation, with support from Versus Arthritis, is delighted to be funding two schemes in child and adolescent musculoskeletal pain.

• Catalyst Fellowships are available for early career researchers who are seeking to broaden their research experience and develop their own distinct research ideas.
• Career Development Fellowships are available for mid-career researchers who are seeking to make a transition to research independence and establishing their own research niche.

Estimates of the impact of pain on the UK suggest that more than a third of the population have been affected by chronic pain.

Musculoskeletal pain in children and young people is a significant challenge and remains poorly understood and often poorly managed. Pain in childhood can persist into adulthood and cause continued disability and distress.

Research funded through this competition will increase understanding of the mechanisms underpinning child and adolescent musculoskeletal pain, and improve diagnosis, treatment and pain recovery. To address these areas of research, the Medical Research Foundation and Versus Arthritis recognise the need for interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaborations in musculoskeletal pain research and particularly welcome applications to this scheme that include such partnerships.

The Inclusion of Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) is important in project design and/or over the course of the proposed research, applications that include PPIE are strongly encouraged.

The Medical Research Foundation is an independent charitable foundation. Formed by the Medical Research Council (MRC), we grow and nurture people and ideas wherever we see research opportunities with great potential. The research supported in this competition is possible thanks to the support of our generous donors.

Versus Arthritis was formed in 2018 following the merger of Arthritis Care and Arthritis Research UK. It is the largest charity dedicated to supporting people with arthritis and other musculoskeletal conditions.

Funding available

The Medical Research Foundation and Versus Arthritis will make a total of £2,200,000 available for these competitions, which will be split flexibly between both funding schemes.

Catalyst Fellowship applicants may apply for up to £150,000 to support their research, over a maximum of a 2-year period.

Career Development Fellowship applicants may apply for up to £400,000 to support their research, over a maximum of a 4-year period.

Who can apply

The Catalyst Fellowship competition is open to all UK-based researchers at eligible institutions (UK HEIs, Research Council research institutes, hospitals, and other independent research organisations). Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil or MD. Catalyst Fellowships provide personal funding designed to support researchers who are seeking to broaden their research experience and develop their own distinct research ideas. Applicants will need to demonstrate previous research projects and evidence of outputs, show an understanding of the contribution of their research to their field and have planned a research project that enables the development of research skills.

The Career Development Fellowship competition is open to all UK-based researchers at eligible institutions (UK HEIs, Research Council research institutes, hospitals, and other independent research organisations). Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil or MD. Career Development Fellowships provide personal funding designed to support researchers who are ready to, or are in the process of, transitioning to research independence and establishing their own research niche. Applicants will need to demonstrate productivity across past appointments, an upward career trajectory and clear plans to establish their own research niche.

Timeline

• Deadline for submission: 12:00 Wednesday 5 April 2023
• Shortlisting notification: July 2023
• Interview: 25 September 2023
• Funding decision: October 2023

Panel

Applications will be reviewed by a Panel with experience in research areas relevant to child and adolescent musculoskeletal pain. The Panel will be chaired by a member of the Board of Trustees, Professor Rosalind Smyth.

• Professor Lucy Wedderburn, University College London
• Victoria Harbottle, Great North Children's Hospital, Newcastle
• Dr Rebeccah Slater, University of Oxford
• Professor Suellen Walker, UCL Great Ormond St Institute of Child Health
• Professor Kevin Vowles, Queen's University Belfast

How to Apply

Applicants should apply online using our online grants management system.

Please see here for Catalyst Fellowships Guidance for Applicants and Career Development Fellowships Guidance for Applicants.

Queries

The Medical Research Foundation is committed to making this application accessible to all by offering assistance where needed. Please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Research Team if you have any questions or concerns about the application or interview processes: research@medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk Tel: 020 7395 2420.

Terms and Conditions of Award

Awards funded through this competition will follow standard Medical Research Foundation and Versus Arthritis terms and conditions. The terms and conditions spell out the responsibilities of the Principal Investigator and the Lead Research Organisation. The Principal Investigator and the Lead Research Organisation are required to indicate their formal acceptance of the proposal, their acceptance of the terms and conditions of an award, and the approval of the salaries and resources sought in the application.

The Medical Research Foundation and Versus Arthritis may add additional conditions to a grant award to reflect the particular circumstances and requirements of the funding, or the nature of a particular award. Acceptance of an award constitutes acceptance of both the core conditions and any additional conditions. The Funders reserve the right to vary these terms and conditions.

Expert Review

Applications will be reviewed by independent peer review

Independent Peer Review Guidance