VIVO Biobank Pilot Grants: for biological studies using samples from the VIVO Biobank
Our VIVO Biobank Pilot Grants are research grants designed to enable short-term funding for a specific, discrete, childhood cancer research project. This grant is for you if you are an early career researcher with an idea for a pilot biological study which will generate preliminary data for a further, larger research project or will generate useful, publishable data.
Grants of up to £15,000 are available to support a defined research project. Grants are available for specific disease areas, where there is both funding, and samples available from the VIVO Biobank to support a study. Funding is available for discrete projects and not as ‘top up’ funding for existing projects, although funding can be used to support additional specific experiments as part of a wider piece of work (e.g. a PhD study).
Applicants should be supported in their application by a suitable supervisor, who will support their application and the research project.
Proposed projects should have a clear output, i.e. a publication in a peer reviewed journal, be achievable within the project budget, and take 12 months or fewer to complete.
Proposed projects should address on of the Top 10 Research Priorities for Childhood Cancer published by the Children’s Cancer Priority Setting Partnership (please note these priorities are broad themes rather than specific research questions, giving plenty of scope for a wide range of research ideas). Further information is given later in this guidance.
The funding from these grants can support costs associated with carrying out the research project (e.g. experimental costs, consumables costs).
The deadline for applications is 5pm, Wednesday 13 September 2023.
Eligibility
Who can apply?
You can apply for a CCLG VIVO Biobank Pilot Grant if you are an early career researcher based at a UK University, NHS Hospital or Research Institute. We define an early career researcher as a student, or a researcher who received their PhD qualification (or equivalent training) within the last 10 years. You will need the support of an appropriate supervisor at a UK hospital, university, or research institute.
Remit
You can apply for a grant to conduct any type of research that addresses one of the top ten research priorities identified by the Children's Cancer Priority Setting Partnership. Your proposal must use tissue samples (or data) from the VIVO Biobank. Funding is available for discrete projects and not as ‘top up’ funding for existing projects, although funding can be used to support additional specific experiments as part of a wider piece of work (e.g. a PhD study).
Host institution
The grant can be held by any non-profit research centre of excellence (NHS hospital, university or research institute) within the UK that is able to provide the facilities required for the successful completion of the project.
Sample/data access
Prior to starting your application, you MUST contact the VIVO Biobank on enquiries@vivobiobank.org to confirm that the samples you require for your study are available. Please ensure you make contact with the VIVO Biobank in plenty of time to allow for a response in order to proceed with your application.
Funding
Award term
The proposed research should be completed within 12 months of the award start date i.e. the maximum project duration is 12 months. We are able to be flexible about this is there is good justification.
Award value
The maximum award value for this grant round is £15,000.
Cancer types
You should indicate the type of cancer your proposal is studying in your application. Specific funding is available for the following types of cancer:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL)
- Acute myeloid leukaemia (AML)
- Ewing sarcoma
- Hepatoblastoma
- T-cell lymphoma
- Neuroblastoma
- Osteosarcoma
- Malignant rhabdoid tumours
- Non-Wilms renal tumours
- Rhabdomyosarcoma
- Non-RMS soft tissue sarcomas
Limited funding is also available for projects covering other/multiple types of childhood cancer. You should specify in your application which type(s) of cancer your proposed project will investigate.
Guidance for applicants
Please ensure you read the guidance for applications before starting your application. Your application will need to be supported by a suitable supervisor, who will help you with your application and support your proposed research project.
Apply
Applications should be submitted online using our grant portal, Flexigrant. If you have not used Flexigrant before you will need to register for an account.