DAS Research Project and Small Grant Programme (UK and Ireland)

The Difficult Airway Society (DAS) Research Grants support research projects that improve understanding of airway management in anaesthetic practice. The programme offers project grants of up to £15,000 and small grants of up to £5,000 for clinical, laboratory, anatomical, equipment, and data-based research related to airway care.

Overview of the Difficult Airway Society Research Grants

The Difficult Airway Society (DAS) Research Grants provide financial support for research that advances knowledge and practice in airway management during anaesthesia.

The programme encourages a broad range of research approaches, including clinical studies, laboratory investigations, equipment evaluation, anatomical research, and analysis of airway-related data.

The goal is to improve understanding of airway challenges and contribute to safer anaesthetic practice.

Why This Grant Matters

Airway management is a critical part of anaesthesia, and research in this area helps improve patient safety, clinical decision-making, and healthcare outcomes.

DAS supports research that can:

Improve airway assessment and management techniques.
Develop better understanding of airway-related complications.
Evaluate airway devices and clinical equipment.
Strengthen evidence-based anaesthetic practices.
Support national investigations into airway-related problems.

The programme encourages innovation across clinical, scientific, and technological areas of airway management.

Funding Amount Available

The Difficult Airway Society provides two funding categories:

Project Grants

Maximum funding: Up to £15,000.
Designed for larger research projects requiring greater financial support.

Small Grants

Maximum funding: Up to £5,000.
Intended for smaller-scale studies, pilot projects, or early-stage research activities.

Funding is paid directly to institutions rather than individual researchers.

Research Areas Supported

DAS welcomes research proposals related to airway management in anaesthetic practice.

Supported research areas may include:

Data Collection and Analysis

Projects may involve:

Collection of airway-related clinical data.
Analysis of existing datasets.
Investigation of airway management outcomes.

Anatomical and Imaging Studies

Research may include:

Radiological studies.
Medical imaging research.
Cadaveric studies.
Histological investigations.

Clinical Airway Studies

Supported projects may involve:

Clinical studies involving airway devices.
Evaluation of airway management techniques.
Research into clinical approaches to airway care.

Equipment and Simulation Studies

DAS supports:

Manikin-based studies.
Bench testing of airway equipment.
Evaluation of airway-related technologies.

Respiratory Control Research

Projects may include:

Clinical respiratory studies.
Volunteer studies.
Animal laboratory research related to respiratory control.

National Airway Investigations

Funding may also support:

National investigations into airway-related problems.
Research addressing significant challenges in airway management.

Anaesthesia Recovery and Airway Response Research

DAS welcomes studies examining:

Recovery of respiratory function after anaesthesia.
Upper airway recovery after procedures.
Tracheal extubation processes.
Responses to anaesthetic induction.
Tracheal intubation-related outcomes.

Who Is Eligible?

The grant programme does not require applicants to be members of the Difficult Airway Society.

Eligible applicants should propose research projects that:

Contribute to understanding airway management.
Relate to anaesthetic practice.
Have appropriate institutional support for receiving funds.

Applicants can apply even if they have obtained partial funding from another organisation.

Additional Funding and Co-Funding Rules

Applicants may already have received part-funding from another source.

However, they must:

Declare all existing funding details.
Explain how DAS funding will support the project.

Researchers may also apply for DAS funding while seeking support from another funding organisation.

If a DAS-NIAA grant is awarded on the condition of additional funding:

The applicant must secure the additional funding within one year of receiving the DAS award offer.

Institutional Requirements

Applicants do not need institutional signatures at the application stage.

However:

Payment of awarded funds depends on institutional approval.
Funding will be transferred to the institution, not directly to individuals.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Develop a Research Proposal

Prepare a proposal explaining:

Research question.
Background and importance.
Study design.
Methods.
Expected outcomes.
Contribution to airway management knowledge.

Step 2: Select the Appropriate Grant Category

Choose between:

Project Grant (up to £15,000).
Small Grant (up to £5,000).

Applicants should select the category that matches the scale and requirements of their research.

Step 3: Provide Funding Information

Include:

Detailed budget.
Explanation of requested costs.
Details of any existing or planned external funding.

Step 4: Submit Application

Applicants should submit their completed application according to DAS grant requirements.

Researchers should ensure all required information is included before submission.

Assessment Considerations

Applications are expected to be assessed based on:

Scientific quality.
Relevance to airway management.
Research methodology.
Potential contribution to anaesthetic practice.
Appropriate use of funding.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting research unrelated to airway management.
Providing unclear research objectives.
Failing to disclose other funding sources.
Requesting unsupported or unnecessary expenses.
Assuming institutional approval is automatic after funding approval.
Submitting incomplete applications.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

Clearly explaining the clinical importance of the research.
Demonstrating how findings could improve airway safety.
Providing a realistic and justified budget.
Selecting appropriate research methods.
Explaining potential impact on anaesthetic practice.
Addressing ethical and institutional requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What are the Difficult Airway Society Research Grants?

The DAS Research Grants provide funding for research projects that improve understanding of airway management related to anaesthetic practice.

How much funding can researchers receive?

DAS offers project grants of up to £15,000 and small grants of up to £5,000.

Do applicants need to be DAS members?

No. Applicants do not need to be members of the Difficult Airway Society.

What types of research are supported?

The programme supports clinical research, anatomical studies, imaging research, equipment studies, laboratory investigations, respiratory research, and airway data analysis.

Can researchers apply if they already have other funding?

Yes. Applicants can apply if they have received partial funding elsewhere, but they must disclose all additional funding sources.

Are grants paid directly to researchers?

No. Funding is paid to institutions rather than individuals.

Are institutional signatures required when applying?

No. Institutional signatures are not required at the application stage, but institutional agreement is required before funds can be released.

Conclusion

The Difficult Airway Society Research Grants provide valuable support for researchers working to improve airway management in anaesthesia. By funding innovative clinical, scientific, and technological studies, DAS helps advance safer airway practices and strengthens evidence-based approaches for managing difficult airway situations.