Grants available
Apply for a grant
Seed Funding Grants
SEED FUNDING IS NOW CLOSED FOR 2024.
Look back in 2025 for our next round of grants for pilot or smaller research projects on encephalitis.
Please direct questions to: alina@encephalitis.info
Academic Clinical Fellowship in Neurology
We co-fund an Academic Clinical Fellowship (ACF) in Neurology programme with the University of Liverpool. Applications are now closed for 2024.
General information: grant application processes
Funds can be available for research into all aspects of encephalitis, and particular areas of importance and priority are advised by the Encephalitis International Scientific Advisory Panel and outlined in the Encephalitis International Research Strategy.
Funding opportunities are advertised on the Encephalitis International website, social media channels (Facebook and Twitter), appropriate journals/academic institutions/ organisations and through the mailing out to Encephalitis International’s Professional Members.
Encephalitis International will fund:
- Academic Clinical Fellowship (three years).
- PhD students (three years).
- Research Exchange projects (one to three years).
- Seed funding (9-18 months).
We will fund salary costs, consumables and travel costs however we will not fund overheads of any affiliated institutions.
We will fund staff and students of academic institutions, in the UK and overseas. We will also fund research students at postgraduate level (i.e. MSc and PhD) who must have an undergraduate degree. We have no regional or institutional priorities, but if the research takes place outside UK it must meet UK standards of research ethics and scientific integrity. If the research involves using animals we only fund research conducted in the UK.
Review process
Initially, all applications are checked by Encephalitis International’s staff members to ensure compliance with the application’s specific criteria and checklist.
Secondly, all applications for funding go through a strict review process which means reviewed by Encephalitis International’s Research Subcommittee. The Research Subcommittee has four professional members, who are selected from the Scientific Advisory Panel for a three years term with the possibility of renewing for three more years and two lay members, selected from Encephalitis International Team Encephalitis Volunteers. If necessary (there are conflicted members or a need for specific expertise not available within the Subcommittee), additional reviewers are invited to the Committee. These can be members of the Scientific Advisory Panel or professionals outside Encephalitis International. Recommendations for funding are based on the mean score for each application.
At least three members of the Subcommittee must be present for there to be a quorum.
The Research Subcommittee’s Chair will advise Encephalitis International of the Subcommittee recommendations. The decision of awarding the grant is made by the CEO and the Trutees taking in consideration the Subcommittee’s recommendations.
Criteria for reviewing the application:
- Scientific validity, significance and originality.
- Feasibility and value for money.
- Relevance to Encephalitis International and its research priorities.
- Context with other relevant research currently ongoing, or completed.
- Supports the principle of the 3Rs to refine, reduce and replace the use of animals in research if applicable.
- Done by researchers with relevant skills and facilities.
Encephalitis International may also commission a specific researcher or research group to investigate a topic of interest. These applications will also be peer reviewed and discussed by the Research Subcommittee, who will advise the CEO and the Trustees.