Launchpad Grants in Mental Health

The Medical Research Foundation is inviting mid-career researchers in the field of mental health to apply for up to £100,000 to support their research.

Funded research should increase understanding of mental health, and improve diagnosis, treatment and recovery. It will also act as a launchpad for further research suitable for larger funding opportunities.

Applications within a broad field of mental health research are welcomed. However, we particularly encourage applications from neglected areas of mental health, including suicide and self-harm, trauma-related mental health, borderline personality disorder and OCD. Neurodevelopmental disorders are considered within the scope of this competition, and we particularly encourage applications from researchers working in ADHD and Tourette’s.

Applicants to the Launchpad Grants in Mental Health can use the funding to conduct pilot studies, generate data and collaborations, and develop competitive research proposals for larger funding. The research should have a UK focus; prior work leading to the application does not need to be solely UK-based, but the applicant should make clear the relevance of the proposed research for mental health in the UK.

Proposals are particularly encouraged from those looking to develop multidisciplinary partnerships with researchers in other fields, expanding the applicant’s research networks and building their research profile. The grants can be used to conduct pilot studies, generate data and collaborations, and develop competitive research proposals for larger funding.

The research we fund is only possible thanks to the generosity of our donors. This competition is supported by a gift in Will from Catherine Mary Evans, and numerous other donors.

How much funding is available?

Applicants may apply for up to £100,000 to support their research, over a maximum of a 2-year period (pro-rata for part-time positions).

There will be up to £500,000 available in this competition.

Who can apply?

This competition is open to all UK-based researchers and clinical academics at eligible institutions (UK HEIs, Research Council research institutes, hospitals, and other independent research organisations).

Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil, MD or doctorate in a relevant area and be conducting their research at an eligible institution. Partnerships outside of academia are allowed, providing the collaboration will advance the research project in line with the aims of the funding call. Clinical academics and applicants with clinical duties are encouraged to apply.

This competition is for mid-career researchers. Mid-career researchers are those with extensive postdoctoral experience and in the process of, or ready for, transition to research independence.

What support does the Foundation offer?

As well as funding innovative research projects, the Foundation is committed to supporting its researchers' career progression by providing access to further funding opportunities only open to MRC and Foundation funded researchers.

Timeline

• Deadline for submission: 12:00 Wednesday 8 May 2024
• Rebuttal invite: Late August/ early September 2024
• Funding decision: October 2024
• Feedback on funding decision: end of October / beginning of November 2024

How to apply

Applicants should apply using our online grants management system.

Please see here for Guidance for Applicants.

Applicants must use our Resume for Researchers template in their application.

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:

Email: research@medicalresearchfoundation.org.uk

Tel: 0204 581 2402

Terms and Conditions of Award

Awards funded through this competition will follow standard Medical Research Foundation 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 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 Medical Research Foundation reserves the right to vary these terms and conditions.

Expert Review Panel

The applications will be reviewed by a Panel with experience in research areas relevant to mental health. The Panel will be Chaired by Professor Beth Jeffries, University of York.

• Dr Chérie Armour, Queen's University Belfast
• Professor Andrew McQuillin, University College London
• Professor Swaran Singh, University of Warwick
  
• Professor Jennifer Lau, Queen Mary University of London
• Professor Claire Haworth, University of Bristol
• Dr Joanna Inchley, University of Glasgow
• Professor Charlotte Warren-Gash, LSHTM
• Dr Anna Lavis, University of Birmingham
• Professor Anne Lingford-Hughes, Imperial College London
• Professor James Kirkbride, University College London
• Professor Esther Walton, University of Bath
• Professor Pasco Fearon, University of Cambridge
• Professor Anu Realo, University of Warwick
• Professor Valerie Voon, University of Cambridge
• Professor James MacCabe, King's College London
• Professor Priyamvada Paudyal, Keele University
• Professor Kam Bhui, University of Oxford

Panel Guidance for Review