GRANT APPLICATION
Early career researchers can identify funding opportunities at https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/funding-opportunities
Go to www.ct-toolkit.ac.uk and the RMID researcher induction manual for detailed advice on planning a clinical trial and navigating KCL.
The guidance below is for researcher-led trials sponsored or co-sponsored by KCL; if you are looking for support in relation to commercially sponsored clinical trials – please contact the King’s Health Partners Commercial Trials Manager Kirsty Hough (Kirsty.Hough@kcl.ac.uk)
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funding streams https://www.nihr.ac.uk/researchers/funding-opportunities/
United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI) funding streams https://www.ukri.org/opportunity/
Wellcome funding streams https://wellcome.org/grant-funding
Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) funding streams https://www.amrc.org.uk/
The NIHR Research Design Service can advise on appropriate funding streams https://www.rds-london.nihr.ac.uk/
NIHR funding options https://www.nihr.ac.uk/researchers/apply-for-funding/how-to-apply-for-project-funding/our-funding-programmes.htm
PROPOSAL SUPPORT
| 4+ weeks before submission | 3 weeks before submission | 2 weeks before submission | 5 days before submission |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact Department and Pre Award to ascertain funders’ funding terms are acceptable to the College and capacity to proceed with the application. Approach KHP NHS Trusts for sign off of their participation to the study. | Finalise collaborator, partner, service provider costs. Finalise costs with Department and Pre Award (for consultation). Allow extra time for costing revisions. | Complete costing and draft application & send for Divisional/Faculty approvals. | Pre Award to check, approve & sign-off application on behalf of College. If required, allow 5 working days for Pre Award to approve your application online (e.g., JeS, Grants Tracker). This might be the final step of submission. |
https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/find-collaboration-opportunities.htm
The members of the collaborative team formed should have all the skills required to design and oversee the delivery of the research
PPI advice can be offered by the NIHR RDS https://www.rds-london.nihr.ac.uk/
The Research Strategy & Development team at King’s provides dedicated research support function for each of the academic Faculties. Each Faculty has one or more Research Development Managers who work very closely with Faculty research teams. KCL advice on preparing proposals can be found at https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/innovation/grants-contracts/pre-award/how-to-apply/preparing-a-proposal
Support with research design can additionally be sourced via the NIHR RDS https://www.rds-london.nihr.ac.uk/ ; be aware that NIHR RDS can support the bid stage only and cannot offer ongoing collaboration through trial delivery
Seek design support from a senior collaborator in statistics, health economics, qualitative research, trial operations and IMP management within KCTU by completing a request for support at www.ctu.co.uk
When designing your study, consider CONSORT reporting guidelines and any relevant CONSORT extensions (https://www.equator-network.org/)
Review specific funder guidance once the funding stream has been decided
KCL provides advice on costing proposals https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/innovation/grants-contracts/pre-award/how-to-apply/costing-and-pricing-a-proposal
University (HEI) costs are assessed using Worktribe https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/support/applications/pre-award
https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/innovation/grants-contracts/pre-award/pre-award
NHS costs (SOECAT) https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/schedule-of-events-cost-attribution-template-soecat-guidance/23214
KCTU trial delivery costs www.ctu.co.uk (complete a support request form)
Sponsor monitoring and regulatory costs (KHP led CTIMP trials only) https://khpcto.co.uk/QualityHome.php
If you have KCTU co-applicants on your grant, please discuss the overall grant duration with them with particular reference to time implications:
• advertising grant funded posts
• any IT systems development needed
• manufacturing placebo where relevant
• data cleaning, database lock, analysis and dissemination activities
• going out to tender for high value contracts.
Some funding streams must be submitted via an NHS Trust, others via a University. In some cases, either is permitted but there may be organisational advantages to selecting one or other. If your substantive employer is KCL, please check with the pre-award team before preparing your application. If your substantive employer is a KHP partner Trust, please check with the relevant contact below.
In some cases, KCL allows researchers who are substantively employed by a KHP partner Trust to submit grants via KCL, via the Adjunct Academic Appointments scheme https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/hr/recruitment/adjunct-academic-appointments. This is different to an honorary contract.
KCL led https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/support/developing-research-proposals
SLaM led slam-ioppn.research@kcl.ac.uk
KCH led kch-tr.research@nhs.net
GSTT led R&D@gstt.nhs.uk
Brompton and Harefield led https://www.rbht.nhs.uk/research/researchers
For KCL led bids, the pre-award team at KCL will advise on appropriate names to include on your specific grant application. These can vary depending on factors like whether the study is a CTIMP, where in KCL the PI is based and the grant funder.
For Trust led bids, the relevant R&D office will advise.
