Grant applications:
BOHRF policy and what we require
What we will consider funding
We will only consider funding research or systematic evidence reviews in occupational health, or health related performance at work. We welcome applications on a co-funding basis. We prefer to fund work that is of international relevance and will normally only fund research that has outcomes that have direct practical application at work (preferably to both private and public sectors). Our research scope is in the following areas:
- Biomedical
- Psychosocial or social
- Ageing workforce
- Performance/productivity
- HR domain provided it relates significantly to occupational health e.g. diversity, dignity at work
Who can apply
- University researchers
- Employers (to whom we can provide advice about the translation of their research needs into researchable questions; and for whom we can project manage the research)
We do not fund individuals and therefore do not fund:
- MSc or PhD awards/grants (The Colt Foundation will consider funding these)
- Training
When can we apply
We have two rounds of applications per year. Although applications can be made at any time, end dates for the two rounds are:
- End June
- End December
For how much can we apply
BOHRF does not apply minimum or maximum limits to research grant awards. However, the BOHRF business model is that it is dependent on corporate sponsors and project funders for its income and therefore for its ability to fund research. This means that during the recession and its aftermath, money will be tight. During 2010 we are looking to make grants at around £50,000. We will consider applications for larger grants where the topic is one of our priority issues, as we have good track record in assembling project funding consortiums for research of particular strategic and practical importance to employers.
What funding can we ask for and what cannot we ask for
We will pay for:
- Salary of staff recruited specifically for your research
- Salary of specialist staff 'bought in' for the research on a pro rata basis e.g. statistician or health economist
- Travel and subsistence incurred in conducting the research
- Equipment purchased specifically for this research
- Consumables (e.g. postage and stationery for questionnaires
We will not pay for:
- Salary of staff already employed
- Overheads (we are a member of the AMRC and support their policy on this)
Critical success factors in grant applications
- Clarity on why the research questions and the proposal are important
- how the research will make a difference
- what it will generate by way of evidence/findings that is not already known
- clear study design capable of answering the research questions to a suitable level of power
- inclusion of relevant expertise in research team (statistical, occupational health, HR, health economics – depending on the research topic)
- at least one deliverable that can be applied directly at work
- how the effectiveness of the research will be evaluated
Grant award basis
- Ethical approval is required before the BOHRF Board will agree a grant. This does not apply to evidence reviews. Applicants are asked to consider whether local ethical committee or MREC approval is more appropriate for their research proposal
- Applications agreed for funding that depend on access to organisations will be conditional on proposed host organisation(s) confirming in writing or by email that necessary access will be provided
- All applications are subject to scrutiny by the Research Committee on behalf of the Board, and are also subject to independent peer review
- Applications agreed by the Board for funding will be subject to an agreed contract including staged payments linked to specific agreed staged deliverables
- Grants are made either on a financially unconditional basis (where the Board agrees to underwrite the full cost of the research from unrestricted funds before seeking project funding partner contributions) or, alternatively, on a financially conditional basis (where the award of a grant is dependent on BOHRF obtaining written commitments from partner funders to a stated percentage of total research costs prior to a contract being signed).
- Although we do not fund research involving animals, we do recognise the vital contribution that such work, properly carried out and with animal welfare in mind, makes to medical research
What successful applicants will be asked to do
- To make a presentation at our Annual Research Day about the emerging findings of their research and discuss these with the audience
- To make presentations to the project advisory board where the grant is part funded through partnership funding. This will normally be a presentation prior to the research starting and then when the key stage deliverables are available.
Last Update: 01-Feb-2010