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Innovation grants

Our innovation grants explore bold new ideas that could lead to exciting breakthroughs in the causes, treatment and cure of Parkinson's.

We want to fund high-risk, high-reward research that tests new and original ideas, tackling major scientific or technical hurdles in the field of Parkinson's.

Deadlines

Researcher Samira Kasher at the Parkinson's UK Brain BankThere are 5 deadlines each year for innovation grant applications.

The 2012 deadlines are:

  • Monday 26 March 2012 (international applicants welcome)
  • Monday 14 May 2012
  • Monday 25 June 2012
  • Monday 24 September 2012

International applicants

In March 2012, we're opening our doors to international applicants for the first time. We'll have one round of innovation grants open to international applicants, as well as applicants from the UK.

The deadline for this is Monday 26 March 2012.

Before applying as an international applicant, please read the following:

Our online system opens for applications 2 months before each deadline. And we expect that funding decisions will be made within 3 months of the deadline.

Purpose and duration

Innovation grants are offered for up to £35,000 for a maximum of 12 months.

Innovation grants promise potentially remarkable outcomes that could revolutionise Parkinson's research.

Dr Kieran Breen, Director of Research and Innovation

Innovative research might include:

  • examining the delivery of healthcare services to people with Parkinson's
  • exploring bold new ideas that could lay the foundations for bigger studies in the future
  • developing practical improvements for the lives of people with Parkinson's and their carers

Research proposals must have a solid rationale. But they do not require a significant level of preliminary data.

Eligibility

We encourage applications from basic scientists, clinicians and healthcare professionals. This includes physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, alternative therapists, nurses and practitioners.

Applications should not be the next logical step of previous work. If successful, proposals should generate breakthrough discoveries and open exciting avenues of investigation.

Innovation grant applications must be sufficiently innovative to be considered.

Please read the following before completing an application:

See above for innovation grants open to international applicants.

Terms and conditions

Once a grant has been awarded and accepted, the grantholder and administering institution are bound by our Research grant terms and conditions for UK applicants (PDF, 60KB)

See above for innovation grants open to international applicants.

How to apply

Applications for all research grants must be made via our online application system.

For more information about application processes and deadlines, contact researchapplications@parkinsons.org.uk