CFAs: International Research Seed Funding Grants (Asia)

The Encephalitis International proposal is to provide seed funding for a small or “pilot” project which, if successful, can help secure further funding for potential larger-scale work. This project should be novel to the country/region taking place and  can  involve  external collabora-tions within that or neighbouring countries/regions.

Despite the relatively small amount of money that they can provide for each successful project, this can be the first step to becoming a well-established researcher. They, therefore, see this funding as being highly relevant to their mission of improving the recognition, treatment and quality of life for all people affected by encephalitis, either infectious or autoimmune.

Themes of Interest

• Applications are encouraged, but not restricted to, the following areas.
• Examples of suitable pilot or low-cost projects in countries in Asia:
  • Epidemiological research on incidence of various causes of encephalitis.
  • The development or improvements in routine surveillance systems to facilitate assessment of accurate incidence statistics of encephalitis.
  • Standardisation of case definitions, diagnostic testing, and methods of case ascertainment to enable better comparison of incidences between studies and regions.
  • More accurate assessment and better recording of mortality in encephalitis.
  • Standardised surveillance systems to enable more accurate assessment and comparison of mortality in encephalitis.
  • Data on acute outcomes of encephalitis.
  • Data on long term outcomes of encephalitis.
  • Interventions that will reduce caregiver burden.
  • Data on direct and indirect costs of encephalitis.
  • Introduction of vaccination programmes in areas where vaccine-preventable encephalitides exist (i.e. JEV, etc).
  • Understanding of and methods for reduction in vaccine hesitancy in the population with evaluation of changing attitudes/greater uptake of immunisation.
  • Evaluation of clinical benefits of greater availability of basic diagnostic tests and equipment (i.e., lumbar punctures, CSF analysis, MRI scanning, antibody testing) to help justify their costs.
  • Greater availability and use of acyclovir in suspected encephalitis.
  • Increasing numbers of neurologists and/or neurology training.
  • Development of, and access to, neuro-rehabilitation.

Types of Projects

• Seed funding gives researchers the opportunity to carry out a broad range of activities, not previously avail-able at their centre, such as:
  • Pilot and scoping studies.
  • Preliminary data gathering.
  • Proof-of-principle studies.
  • Visiting other research centres.

Funding Information

• Grants are available between £5,000 and £10,000.
• Duration of Funding: 12 to 18 months.
• Time extensions (maximum 6 months) will be awarded only under exceptional circumstances.

Eligibility Criteria

• The project needs to be based in Asia.
• All levels from medical students, junior doctors, early researchers, returning to research to post- doctoral research or equivalent professional experience; however, priority will be given to those early on in their academic career.
• All applicants need to be affiliated to a recognised academic institution and provide two letters of support from their project/study supervisors or institution heads.
• Applicants may apply if they already have funding from their Institute or from an external source.
• Please note that according to their Research Strategy, they do not fund projects outside UK which involve the use of animals.

Ineligibility Criteria

• They do not fund:
  • An existing research project.
  • A standalone project, with no follow-on plans.
  • Bridge funding.

For more information, visit Encephalitis International.