Deadline: 27-Mar-2026
The Research Grant Development Awards provide pump-priming funding to support the development of high-quality, innovative research grant applications in the sociology of health and illness. The scheme prioritizes multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary collaboration and theoretical or methodological innovation. Grants of up to £6,000 support preparatory work leading to submission to major national or international funders within three months of project completion.
Program Overview
The Research Grant Development Awards are designed to support early-stage development of competitive research grant proposals in the field of sociology of health and illness, including medical sociology.
These awards provide short-term, targeted funding to help research teams strengthen collaborations, refine research ideas, and prepare strong proposals for submission to major national or international funding bodies.
The scheme is explicitly focused on grant development rather than full research delivery.
Core Aims of the Awards
The initiative supports projects that align with the following objectives.
Strengthening Collaborative Research
The awards encourage the formation of multi-institutional and multi-disciplinary research groups, promoting collaboration across research centres and academic disciplines.
Advancing Innovation in Sociology of Health and Illness
Projects should demonstrate theoretical and/or methodological innovation within the sociology of health and illness.
Supporting High-Quality Grant Applications
Funded work must directly contribute to the preparation of a research proposal that will be submitted to a major funding body within three months of the award’s completion.
Funding Amount and Duration
Each Research Grant Development Award provides.
- Funding of up to £6,000 per project
- Short-term support for preparatory and developmental activities
All funds must be claimed within three months of the end of the award period. Unspent funds cannot be carried forward.
What Activities Can Be Funded?
The grant may be used to cover necessary costs related to developing a competitive research proposal, including.
- Travel and associated expenses
- Pre-pilot or exploratory research work
- Literature reviews and evidence synthesis
- Methodological or theoretical development meetings
- Other preparatory activities directly linked to grant development
Eligible and Ineligible Costs
Eligible costs include staff time if staff are directly employed by participating institutions.
Independent consultants may be funded only with prior approval.
The following costs are not eligible.
- Conference fees
- Estates costs
- Indirect or overhead costs
Research requiring ethics approval must submit a copy of the approval before funded work begins.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
Applications must meet all eligibility requirements.
- Applications must be submitted by a group of at least four researchers
- Researchers must be drawn from at least two different institutions
- At least two applicants, including the lead applicant, must have an established track record in the sociology of health and illness
- The lead applicant must be based at a UK university or research institution
Trustees may act as co-applicants but are not permitted to serve as lead applicants.
Applicants may reapply in future years. Individual researchers may participate in multiple applications but may hold only one award at a time.
Assessment and Selection Criteria
Applications are reviewed by a panel of three trustees. Proposals are assessed against the following criteria.
- Applicants’ track record in sociology of health or medical sociology
- The contribution of the proposed work to developing a strong research grant
- The extent to which the project strengthens collaborations
- The expertise and complementarity of collaborators
- The suitability of the proposed national or international funding body
- Additional outputs beyond the grant application, where relevant
Funding decisions are communicated within eight weeks of the application deadline.
How the Awards Work
The process for the Research Grant Development Awards follows a clear structure.
- Eligible research teams identify a funding opportunity aligned with sociology of health and illness.
- Applicants design preparatory activities needed to develop a competitive grant proposal.
- An application is submitted outlining collaboration, innovation, and grant development plans.
- Trustees assess applications against published criteria.
- Successful teams use the funding to prepare and submit a major grant application within three months of project completion.
Why This Funding Matters
Developing high-quality research grants often requires time, collaboration, and preparatory resources that are not otherwise funded.
These awards play a crucial role by.
- Enabling early-stage collaboration across institutions and disciplines
- Supporting innovation in theory and methodology
- Increasing the competitiveness of grant applications in sociology of health and illness
- Strengthening the long-term research capacity of the field
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid.
- Proposing activities that do not clearly lead to a grant submission
- Weak justification of collaboration or partner expertise
- Targeting inappropriate or unrealistic funding bodies
- Including ineligible costs such as conferences or overheads
- Failing to plan for ethics approval where required
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the main purpose of the Research Grant Development Awards?
The awards provide pump-priming funding to develop competitive research grant applications in sociology of health and illness.
How much funding is available per project?
Applicants may request up to £6,000 per award.
Who can be the lead applicant?
The lead applicant must be based at a UK university or research institution and have an established track record in sociology of health and illness.
How many researchers must be involved in an application?
Each application must include at least four researchers from a minimum of two institutions.
Can the funding cover staff costs?
Yes, staff costs are eligible if staff are directly employed by participating institutions. Independent consultants require prior approval.
When must the developed grant be submitted?
The resulting research proposal must be submitted to a major funding body within three months of the award’s completion.
How long does the review process take?
Applicants are notified of funding decisions within eight weeks of the application deadline.
Conclusion
The Research Grant Development Awards provide essential seed funding for collaborative, innovative research in the sociology of health and illness. By supporting early-stage development and cross-institutional partnerships, the scheme strengthens the quality and competitiveness of future grant applications while advancing the field’s theoretical and methodological foundations.
For more information, visit FSHI.