Deadline: 30-Oct-2026
The Research Grant Development Programme offers up to £6,000 to support collaborative teams in preparing competitive research grant applications in the sociology of health and illness. Led by a UK-based principal investigator, the programme requires multi-institutional and multidisciplinary groups and funds development activities up to submission. In the 2025/26 cycle, up to six awards will be issued.
What is the Research Grant Development Programme?
The Research Grant Development Programme is a funding scheme designed to help research teams develop strong, competitive proposals for major national or international funding calls.
It focuses specifically on advancing research in the sociology of health and illness by supporting early-stage collaboration and proposal development.
Key Objectives of the Programme
This programme aims to:
- Support collaborative research grant development
- Encourage innovative and high-quality research proposals
- Promote multidisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration
- Strengthen applications to major funding bodies
- Improve success rates of large-scale research bids
Who Can Apply?
Eligibility requirements include:
- A group of at least four researchers
- Representation from at least two different institutions
- At least two members (including the lead applicant) must have an active research track record in sociology of health and illness
- The lead applicant must be based at a UK university or research institution
- International collaborators are permitted as co-applicants
Additional rules:
- Applicants may participate in multiple groups but can hold only one award at a time
- Trustees cannot act as lead applicants but may participate as co-applicants
Funding Details
- Maximum grant: £6,000 per group
- Number of awards: Up to 6 awards in the 2025/26 cycle
- Purpose: Research proposal development up to submission stage
- Eligible costs: Activities directly supporting grant preparation
What Can the Funding Be Used For?
Funding supports activities such as:
- Collaborative workshops and planning meetings
- Research design and methodology development
- Pilot studies or scoping work
- Stakeholder or interdisciplinary engagement
- Proposal writing and editing support
- Travel for collaboration purposes
- Administrative or coordination support
The focus is strictly on enabling a strong research grant application.
Why This Programme Matters
This programme strengthens the research ecosystem in sociology of health and illness by:
- Encouraging international and interdisciplinary collaboration
- Improving the quality of major research proposals
- Supporting early-stage research idea development
- Increasing competitiveness for large-scale funding
- Building stronger academic networks
How the Programme Works
Step 1: Form a Research Group
Assemble at least four researchers from two or more institutions.
Step 2: Define Research Focus
Develop a clear, innovative idea in sociology of health and illness.
Step 3: Assign Roles
Ensure a UK-based lead applicant and qualified co-applicants.
Step 4: Plan Development Activities
Design workshops, meetings, and proposal-writing activities.
Step 5: Submit Application
Apply as a group for funding support.
Step 6: Develop Full Grant Proposal
Use funding to prepare a competitive application for major funding bodies.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Failing to meet the minimum group size or institutional diversity
- Weak alignment with sociology of health and illness
- Missing UK-based lead applicant requirement
- Including only early-career researchers without required track record
- Proposing costs unrelated to grant development
Tips for a Strong Application
- Build a strong interdisciplinary team
- Clearly define the research question early
- Demonstrate track record in relevant research areas
- Focus on a clear pathway to a major funding application
- Include structured collaboration and delivery plan
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Who can apply?
Research groups of at least four researchers from two or more institutions. - What is the maximum funding available?
Up to £6,000 per group. - How many awards are available?
Up to six awards in the 2025/26 cycle. - Can international researchers participate?
Yes, as co-applicants, but the lead must be UK-based. - What field does the programme focus on?
Sociology of health and illness. - What is the main purpose of the funding?
To support preparation of competitive research grant applications. - Can a researcher be part of multiple groups?
Yes, but they can only hold one award at a time.
Conclusion
The Research Grant Development Programme provides targeted support for collaborative teams developing high-quality research proposals in the sociology of health and illness. With funding of up to £6,000, it enables structured collaboration, stronger research design, and improved competitiveness for major funding opportunities.
Teams with strong academic expertise, interdisciplinary collaboration, and a clear research direction will be best positioned for success.
For more information, visit Foundation for the Sociology of Health & Illness.