£1.5m for research on stroke in young adults

Stroke is a major health problem that can have devastating consequences. It happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off causing the death of brain cells and dysfunction in one or more parts of the brain. The restricted blood supply can be the result of an artery supplying blood to brain becoming blocked, a blood vessel rupturing causing a bleed inside the brain, or a brief reduction in the blood supply to the brain. Stroke can affect anyone though some people are at higher risk. Young people are at lower risk of stroke than older people, however, in contrast to older age groups incidence of stroke appears to be rising among young adults. Stroke in young adults can have a huge impact and often occurs when they have young families to look after or are in their child bearing years, and have yet to reach the most productive period of their lives; the economic, social and personal consequences can be devastating.

We consider that research on stroke in young adults as an area of high need and we want to use our funds to increase understanding of the disease mechanisms underpinning stroke in young adults, identify risk factors specifically linked to stroke in this age group, and improve diagnosis, treatment and post stroke-recovery in young adults. We are aiming to develop the UK’s capacity to undertake research on stroke in young adults by supporting the research of mid-career researchers who have the potential to be the research leaders of the future.

Available funds and eligibility

There will be up to £1.5 million available in this competition. UK-based researchers who are seeking to make a transition to research independence may apply for up to £300,000 to support their research, over a maximum of a three-year period. Applications are welcomed for projects that aim to develop knowledge in areas of relevance to stroke in young adults including increasing knowledge of disease mechanisms underpinning stroke in young adults, identifying risk factors specifically linked to stroke in this age group, or improving diagnosis, treatment and post-stroke recovery in young adults.