Celebrating lupus research leaders of the future
The Medical Research Foundation’s 2022 Emerging Leaders Prize will celebrate the achievements of outstanding researchers who are making an impact in the field of lupus and related conditions.
Each year our Emerging Leaders Prize celebrates the achievements of researchers working on a different research theme, with previous prizes awarded to scientists working in COVID-19, pain, antimicrobial resistance and adolescent mental health. The prize funding provides a springboard for the winners’ careers and ensures they can continue to tackle key health challenges – both now and long into the future.
Thanks to a gift in Will from Erina Herrick, up to £200,000 is available to support emerging research leaders working in research relevant to lupus and related conditions such as myositis, Sjögren’s syndrome, autoimmune thyroid disease and serositis.
These conditions are classed as ‘autoimmune’ as they occur when the immune system attacks itself, causing damage to the skin, organs, joints or any other part of the human body. They are long-term illnesses that can be difficult to diagnose and treat, leaving a huge unmet need for new research.
Applicants should demonstrate a track record of nationally competitive research, a current ability to manage their own independent research group or to do so in the near future, and clear plans to develop into an internationally recognised leader in the field.
The funding is flexible, meaning that the winners decide how best to use it. This could mean spending time in a lab overseas, buying a cutting-edge piece of technology for their research, or investing in their personal career development.
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Our Emerging Leaders Prize was last awarded to lupus researchers in 2018, including Dr David Hunt (now Professor David Hunt) from the University of Edinburgh. Using the funding, he is decoding the molecular basis of lupus, in order to develop better personalised treatments. Professor Hunt said:
"The Medical Research Foundation Emerging Leaders Prize has been transformative for my lab's research into lupus brain disease. The research funds have enabled me to purchase state-of-the-art equipment and develop bold new collaborations. Winning this award has also increased my group's visibility and allowed me to connect more closely with the lupus community."
For more information, or to apply for the 2022 Emerging Leaders Prize, please visit our funding page.
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: 0207 395 2405.