Launchpad Grants in Eating Disorders (United Kingdom)

Funded research should strengthen our understanding of how eating disorders develop, and identify prevention, early detection and diagnosis pathways, as well as effective treatment options. Applicants for the Launchpad Grants in Eating Disorders can use the funding to conduct pilot studies, generate data and collaborations, and develop competitive research proposals for larger funding opportunities.

Proposals are particularly encouraged from researchers seeking to develop multidisciplinary partnerships with experts in other fields, expanding their research networks and building their profiles.

Benefits

• Winners of the Eating Disorders Research Launchpad Grants will also be provided with:
  • Networking opportunities with other award holders and senior leaders in the field and other related topics at a showcase event
  • Access to a mentorship programme
  • Additional accessible funding for development activities and networking opportunities

Funding Information

• Applicants may apply for up to £100,000 to support their research, over a maximum of a 2-year period (prorata for part-time positions).
• There will be at least £500,000 available in this competition.

Eligibility Criteria

• This competition is open to all UK-based researchers and clinical academics at eligible institutions (UK HEIs, Research Council research institutes, hospitals, and other independent research organisations). Applicants must hold a PhD, DPhil, MD or doctorate in a relevant area and be conducting their research at an eligible institution. Partnerships outside of academia are allowed, providing the collaboration will advance the research project in line with the aims of the funding call. Clinical academics and applicants with clinical duties are encouraged to apply.
• This competition is for both early- and mid-career researchers. Early-career researchers are those immediately post-doctorate, or with some postdoctoral experience, but have not begun to transition to research independence or lead their own team. Mid-career researchers are those with extensive postdoctoral experience and in the process of, ready for, or have recently transitioned to research independence. Applicants will be assessed according to their career stage. This grant is not intended to support those who have already secured substantial research funds and/or have already established their own research group (e.g. Senior Lecturers, Professors, MRC and other funders’ Senior Fellows), however, applicants who have held an early career fellowship may still be eligible.
• Applicants will need to demonstrate productivity across past appointments relevant to their current career stage, an upward career trajectory and clear plans to establish their own research niche. The attributes needed to win support in this scheme.

Review Criteria

• Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted by an Expert Assessment Group of independent scientific experts. Candidates may be invited to submit a rebuttal in response to feedback.
• An Expert Review Panel will assess how well the award would support the applicant in the next stages of their career as they prepare to move towards independence or, if they have already made the transition to independence, how the award will further support them as they establish their independent research group. The Expert Review Panel will also consider the potential of the proposed research to lead to future research and funding, and the impact on eating disorders research, understanding and scientific progress.

For more information, visit Medical Research Foundation.