Clinical Epidemiology Research Consortium 2025

Deadline: 16:00 Wednesday 25th September 2024
Costs: Up to £3 million
Duration: Up to 60 months
Funding Decision: February/March 2025
Contact: awards@versusarthritis.org

Focus

Versus Arthritis seeks to support team science working ‘across and together’ to bring integrated thought and ambition toward unlocking a problem area at pace - creating a community of shared expertise and knowledge to deliver a cohesive series of research to achieve the aims.

Versus Arthritis has long supported research into the clinical epidemiology of arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions.  The strength of UK research in this area is well recognised and Versus Arthritis seeks to further support and enhance UK musculoskeletal clinical epidemiology research - putting the application of these methodologies to work with urgency on issues around arthritis.

What are we looking for?

  • Consortium funding should aim to unlock area(s) of problematic understanding around the occurrence and progression of disease, and the effectiveness and safety of treatment.
  • We will invest in novel clinical epidemiology research including digital, genetic, proteomic and molecular epidemiology focused on:
  • Better understanding the biopsychosocial causes, patterns, risk factors and treatment responses influencing and predicting disease onset, progression and outcome.
  • Developing effective diagnostic and risk management tools.
  • Contributing to effective decision making around care and treatment options.

This can include novel bioinformatic methodology development as well as novel application of epidemiology techniques and analysis.

We are particularly interested in supporting furthering understanding of factors that influence the development and progression of osteoarthritis.

Who can apply?

  • The lead applicant must be based at an eligible UK institution.
  • One applicant must have a tenured position within the lead institute.

The Consortium leadership should adopt a team science approach. However, financial and administrative system limitations and contractual and governance arrangements require there to be a defined Consortium Lead and administrative point of reference. Individuals are not allowed to Lead more than one Consortium. Individuals are allowed to be members of multiple Consortia.

There is no defined minimum or maximum number of Consortium members, it’s about bringing the best people together; we are not generally expecting single site applications. International members bringing expertise or facilities that are not available in the UK are welcomed.

What you can apply for?

  • Costs for salaries, expenses and small items of essential equipment can be requested.
  • Awards of up to 60 months duration, up to £3 million. 

A proportion of the Consortium funding can be allocated to support the core facilitatory resources and assets required for the research delivery.

We plan to invest up to £3 million in a single award.

How to apply

There is a one-stage application process, with a gathering of interests step.

Please submit an Expression of Interest by 16:00 on Wednesday 10th  July 2024.

This should be an email to awards@versusarthritis.org with a PDF document outlining: 

  • summary of the proposed consortium in plain English (500 words)
  • a list of consortium members (name, institution and role)

You should not wait for an invitation to submit an application in Grant Tracker following submission of your expression of interest.

  • Additional Consortium members can be added after the expression of interest submission, they should be noted to the office by email.

Applicants are invited to submit applications through Grant Tracker, where the form is available.

Applicants must carefully read the Call document, the application form and guidance document before starting an application.

Please ensure that the most appropriate language is being used in each section of the form and that the correct sections are completed.

The deadline for the receipt of applications is 16:00 on Wednesday 25th September 2024. Please allow time for management of appropriate reviewers and signatories to access the Grant Tracker system and provide their approvals. Submissions after 16:00 will not be accepted.

If you have any questions about the call, please email: awards@versusarthritis.org