Deadline: 16-Jul-2026
The Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity has launched its 2026/27 National Research Project Grants funding call to support paediatric health research focused on rare and complex diseases affecting foetuses, neonates, children, and pregnancy-related disorders impacting child health. The programme supports laboratory, clinical, qualitative, and mixed-methods research with strong potential for clinical impact and patient benefit.
A total of £2.5 million is available under this funding round, with individual grants ranging from £50,000 to £350,000 for projects lasting up to 36 months.
Overview of the Funding Opportunity
The National Research Project Grants programme supports innovative paediatric research projects aimed at improving the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and management of childhood diseases and related health conditions.
The funding initiative focuses on advancing research that can improve outcomes for children and contribute to better clinical care and healthcare systems.
The programme particularly encourages applications from Early Career Researchers (ECRs).
Key Research Areas
The funding call supports research related to:
- Rare diseases affecting children
- Complex paediatric conditions
- Foetal and neonatal disorders
- Pregnancy-related disorders affecting child health
- Diagnostic tool development
- Novel therapeutic interventions
- Laboratory-based research
- Clinical research
- Qualitative and mixed-methods research
- Healthcare management studies
- Translational and patient-focused research
Projects should demonstrate clear potential for:
- Clinical application
- Improved patient outcomes
- Better disease understanding
- Enhanced healthcare delivery
Funding Details
Total Funding Available
- Total Programme Budget: £2.5 million
Individual Grant Size
Applicants may request:
- Minimum Funding: £50,000
- Maximum Funding: £350,000
Project Duration
- Maximum Duration: 36 months
Eligible Costs
The grant can support a range of research-related expenses.
Staff Costs
Eligible salaries include:
- Post-doctoral researchers
- Research assistants
- Research nurses
- Technicians
- Statisticians
- Technologists
- Methodologists
Additional Eligible Costs
Funding may also cover:
- Research consumables
- Animal research costs
- Essential equipment
- Travel and conference expenses
- Workshop and conference organization
- Patient and public involvement activities
Equipment costing more than £10,000 is generally expected to be co-funded by the applicant’s institution.
Early Career Researcher (ECR) Priority
The programme strongly encourages applications from Early Career Researchers.
ECR Eligibility Criteria
An applicant qualifies as an ECR if they:
- Hold a PhD or equivalent experience
- Have received less than £350,000 in total grant income as Principal Investigator
- Do not hold a tenured academic position
Personal fellowship salary support is excluded from the grant income calculation.
Where applications are equally competitive, priority may be given to ECR applicants.
Who Can Apply?
The funding opportunity is open to independent researchers based anywhere in the UK.
Applicants must:
- Hold a salaried academic research post or research fellowship
- Be able to employ and supervise a research team
- Have access to suitable research facilities
- Be authorized to manage research grants financially
- Work with an institution capable of grant administration
Laboratory-based applicants must also have access to appropriate lab infrastructure and facilities.
Why the Programme Matters
Rare and complex childhood diseases often face limited research investment despite their significant impact on children and families.
This funding programme supports:
- Innovation in paediatric medicine
- Development of new diagnostic approaches
- Improved treatments and interventions
- Better healthcare delivery for children
- Research translation into clinical practice
The initiative also helps strengthen the UK paediatric research ecosystem by supporting both established and emerging researchers.
How the Grant Programme Works
The programme funds research projects with strong scientific merit and potential patient impact.
Application Process
- Development of research proposal
- Preparation of project budget and timelines
- Institutional approvals and compliance checks
- Submission of application
- Scientific and peer review assessment
- Funding decision and project implementation
Tips for a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Clearly explain the clinical relevance of the research
- Demonstrate strong methodology and feasibility
- Show potential for patient benefit and real-world impact
- Include realistic timelines and budgets
- Highlight multidisciplinary collaboration where relevant
- Include patient and public involvement strategies
Strong applications usually contain:
- Clear research objectives
- Robust study design
- Evidence of innovation
- Clinical translation potential
- Well-defined impact pathways
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity Research Grant?
It is a funding programme supporting paediatric health research focused on rare and complex childhood diseases.
How much funding is available?
The programme has a total budget of £2.5 million.
What is the funding range for individual projects?
Applicants can request between £50,000 and £350,000.
What types of research are supported?
The programme supports laboratory, clinical, qualitative, mixed-methods, and healthcare management research related to child health.
How long can funded projects run?
Projects can last for up to 36 months.
Who can apply?
Independent researchers based in the UK with eligible academic or research positions can apply.
Are Early Career Researchers encouraged to apply?
Yes, the programme strongly encourages applications from Early Career Researchers and may prioritize ECR proposals when applications are equally competitive.
Conclusion
The Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity National Research Project Grants 2026/27 offer significant support for innovative paediatric research focused on rare and complex childhood diseases. By funding clinically relevant and patient-centered research projects, the programme aims to improve diagnosis, treatment, healthcare delivery, and long-term outcomes for children affected by serious health conditions.
The initiative also supports the growth of emerging researchers and strengthens the UK’s capacity for high-impact paediatric health research with real-world clinical applications.
For more information, visit GOSH Charity.