Research Committee Funding

Please note that this page is currently in development and will be completed soon.

The IME Research Committee offers funding for small-scale research activities in medical ethics.

The full rules and guidance for applicants can be downloaded here.

What are the award criteria?

In overview, an application should:

Be within remit and relevant to the aims and objectives of the IME;

Demonstrate its importance to UK medical ethics;

Have a clear and inclusive plan;

Have clear intended outcomes and dissemination plans; and

Be feasible.

These criteria are explained in the full rules and guidance.

What counts as “medical ethics” research?

Funding is available for small-scale research activities in medical ethics, which is broadly defined. Amongst other questions, the application form asks applicants to explain the following:

How their proposed activity meets an established need and advances research in medical ethics;

How it is relevant to the aims and objectives of the IME (these are stated on the frontpage of this website, here); and

The benefits of the proposed activity to the wider medical ethics community in the UK.

Please note that, provided these requirements are met, there are no restrictions on subject matter.

What activities can be funded?

The funds can be used to support various research activities, including:

Small research projects;

Seminars, events, or workshops;

Meetings or visits to support research collaboration, e.g., to enable groups to co-develop a larger research grant application, strengthen existing networks, or otherwise foster collaborations between researchers;

Pilot work or pump priming for medical ethics research projects, including activities that are designed to foster collaboration between clinicians and academics working in medical ethics or are intended to facilitate patient or public involvement.

Can the activity be co-funded?

We are happy to receive applications for co-funded projects, so long as the IME is fully acknowledged in any outputs and events associated with the award (e.g., publications, reports, conference papers, etc.).

How much funding is available?

An applicant can apply for no less than £500 and usually no more than £5K. The IME Research Committee will usually offer up to eight awards per year.

Who can apply?

An applicant must be:

A current member of the IME; and

Working in the UK.

The IME has the discretion to prioritise new applicants for funding, so applicants who have recently been in receipt of this funding and/or who have received multiple awards may be ranked lower.

There are otherwise no restrictions placed on the professional background of the lead applicant (e.g., academia, research, clinical practice). Applications are welcome from applicants at any career stage, and early career researchers are encouraged to apply. However, applications led by – or solely aimed at – postgraduate students (including doctoral students) are not permitted via this scheme. Postgraduate students may be listed as co-applicants for this scheme, but are otherwise encouraged to contact the IME’s Postgraduate Committee for alternative funding opportunities.

A member of the IME Research Committee may be a co-applicant, but must not be a principal applicant.

How to apply?

The application form is here.

When are outcomes communicated?

Applicants will usually be contacted within one month of the deadline for applications.

Any questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Phil Greenwood philg@ime-uk.org, copying in contact@ime-uk.org.

Please note: If you do not receive an email confirming safe receipt of your application within one week, please telephone us on 01925 967637 to check it has been received.

Research Awards Application Form

Applicant Information

Lead Applicant Name(Required)

First Last

Lead Applicant Job Title(Required)

Lead Applicant Organisation(Required)

Lead Applicant Email(Required)

Co-Applicant 1 Name

First Last

Co-Applicant 1 Job Title

Co-Applicant 1 Organisation

Co-Applicant 1 Email

Supporting Information

Please upload a short (approx. 2 page) CV for each applicant(Required)

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Please upload a letter of support from the institution that will administer this award; this should normally be the lead applicant’s institution(Required)

Max. file size: 50 MB.

Project Detail

Title of Project(Required)

Total amount of financial support being sought from the IME(Required)

Amount of additional funding that is being sought – or has been secured – from other sources(Required)

ABSTRACT Please provide a brief summary/abstract of the proposed research activity, including background and research goals underpinning the activity (300 words maximum).(Required)

REMIT, RELEVANCE AND IMPORTANCE Please explain how this activity meets an established need and advances research in the area of medical/bioethics, and how it is relevant to the aims and objectives of the IME and demonstrate clear benefits of proposed activity to the wider biomedical ethics community in the UK. (300 words maximum)(Required)

AIMS/PLAN AND METHODS The proposal should demonstrate a clear and robust plan i.e. have clear aims, a clear plan of action and be attentive to inclusivity issues (750 words maximum)(Required)

OUTCOMES AND DISSEMINATION The proposed work should have clear intended outcomes and dissemination plans, publications, conference presentations etc. including outline plans for follow-on work e.g. funding application(s), etc. Please also note that you have to feedback your work to the IME e.g. via a short report and/or a presentation or poster at an IME event (300 words maximum)(Required)

FEASIBILITY The proposal should have a clear and deliverable schedule i.e. timescale. It should also be clearly and appropriately costed. Applicants should also note the source(s) and amount(s) of any additional funding that has been or may be secured for this research. There is no word limit on the following two rows, but please aim to convey the information clearly and succinctly(Required)

Budget requested and information about other funding sources:(Required)

DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS Proposals should provide declarations of potentially conflicting interests especially concerning the applicant’s involvement with the IME and the UK Clinical Ethics Network (UKCEN). Such involvement will not disqualify applicants but will be taken into account in order to minimise risk of bias by the judges. For the avoidance of doubt, applicants who have no relationship with the IME and or UKCEN are welcome to apply (300 words maximum)(Required)