CFAs: Association/Anaesthesia Research Project Grants Program (UK and Ireland)

Deadline: 24-Apr-2026

The NIAA invites applications for its 2026 Association/Anaesthesia Research Project Grants, supporting projects aligned with patient safety, innovation, clinical outcomes, education, sustainability, and quality improvement. Funding ranges from small grants of £10,000 to larger projects up to £100,000, with awards supporting research fellowships, equipment, or clinical and observational studies within Great Britain and Ireland.

Programme Overview

The NIAA Research Project Grants aim to support high-quality anaesthesia research that delivers measurable value and aligns with strategic priorities. The programme funds projects that:

• Enhance patient safety and clinical outcomes

• Drive innovation and professional development

• Support education, training, and standards

• Promote environmental sustainability

• Enable network-based audits, quality assurance, or quality improvement initiatives

Funding can support small equipment purchases, research fellowships, observational studies, clinical audits, and quality improvement projects that involve guideline implementation.

Eligible Projects

Projects may include:

• Large research studies with significant scope

• Smaller clinical or benchtop research initiatives

• Observational studies or data collection projects

• Quality improvement work and clinical audits (non-routine local audits)

• Innovation, idea development, or pilot research

Key Eligibility Criteria:

• Conducted within Great Britain or Ireland

• Must align with one or two of NIAA’s strategic priorities

• Transparent disclosure of existing or pending funding

• Principal investigator may be a trainee, but grant holder must be in a permanent post

Funding Details

• Small Projects: Up to £10,000 (ideal for early-career researchers)

• Large Projects: Up to £100,000, flexible based on value for money and project impact

• Equipment Funding: Only specialised equipment with clear justification, competitive quotes, and maintenance plans

• Salary Support: Part-time fellowships, assistants, or technicians may be funded, including superannuation and National Insurance

• Exclusions: Indirect costs, routine institutional equipment, and conference travel may not be funded

Intellectual Property: Shared with the host institution; institutional agreement must be secured where relevant.

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare Application

• Ensure project aligns with strategic priorities

• Justify all costs and demonstrate value for money

• Include detailed methodology, timeline, and outcomes

Step 2: Compile Documentation

• Combine all required documents into a single signed PDF

Step 3: Submit Online via ScholarOne

• Submit by noon, Friday, 24 April 2026

• Confirm successful submission due to high demand near the deadline

Step 4: Reporting

• Grant holders must submit annual outcome reports through the Researchfish Impact Assessment platform

Tips for a Competitive Application

• Align your project with NIAA strategic aims clearly

• Be realistic in scope and budget, justifying every cost

• Provide detailed plans for equipment use and maintenance

• Disclose any existing funding or collaborations

• Emphasize the potential impact on patient safety, innovation, or professional practice

• Collaborations with other funding partners may strengthen applications if objectives align

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Who can apply for NIAA research grants?
   Trainees may be principal investigators, but the grant holder must be in a permanent post within GB or Ireland.

2. What types of projects are funded?
   Clinical or benchtop research, observational studies, quality improvement projects, innovation, and research fellowships aligned with strategic priorities.

3. What is the funding range?
   Small projects: up to £10,000; larger projects: up to £100,000. Funding for specialised equipment may also be included.

4. Are indirect costs or conference travel supported?
   No, these are generally not eligible.

5. How should applications be submitted?
   Online via ScholarOne as a single signed PDF by noon on 24 April 2026.

6. Is collaboration allowed?
   Yes, collaborations with other funding partners are encouraged if they enhance research impact.

7. What reporting is required?
   Annual outcomes must be reported through the Researchfish Impact Assessment platform.

Conclusion

The NIAA Association/Anaesthesia Research Project Grants 2026 provide a strategic opportunity for researchers in Great Britain and Ireland to advance anaesthesia research, improve patient safety, foster innovation, and contribute to professional and environmental priorities. By aligning projects with NIAA’s strategic aims and demonstrating clear value for money, applicants can secure funding to support impactful research and quality improvement initiatives.

For more information, visit NIAA.