All funding applications to Medical Research Scotland must be made online, following registration as an applicant online, through its secure site at www.medicalresearchscotland.net. There, the online navigation will guide applicants through the processes involved.

Register Now

Application forms and guidance notes are made available on the secure site to registered applicants as far ahead of the relevant closing dates as possible, but they are not available all the time. However, intending applicants who wish to review samples in advance may do so at any time by clicking the links on the right. All intending applicants to Medical Research Scotland should also download and read a copy of the latest version of the Standard Conditions Applying to the Award of Medical Research Scotland Research Funding (January 2009) (see right).

Research Project Grants

These are the principal sources of funding awarded by Medical Research Scotland and are awarded to early-career researchers working in any of the clinical, biomedical, physical or engineering sciences related to medicine, including from those in the nursing, midwifery & allied health professions. (Applicants from the physical sciences should have a co-applicant with expertise in the biomedical sciences.) Funding, therefore, is normally directed to those who are under 35 years of age and whose research proposals are judged by international peer review to be of the highest quality. As it can only support research carried out in Scotland in universities, recognised research institutions or NHS teaching hospitals, applicants may, at the time of their application, be based anywhere in the world, but they will only be supported if their research will be carried out in a recognised research organisation in Scotland.

SSCRF Support Grants

The Members have decided to continue with the pilot scheme launched in early 2009, whereby Medical Research Scotland may provide additional support (to a maximum value of £150,000 over three years) to some of those awarded Scottish Senior Clinical Research Fellowships by the Scottish Government. In keeping with the charity's commitment to encourage and support early-career researchers, this funding is intended to enable the appointment of a suitably-qualified post-doctoral research assistant to support the core work of the Fellowship.
Please note that applications are only entertained following invitation by Medical Research Scotland to those awarded Scottish Senior Clinical Research Fellowships in 2009.

Vacation Scholarships

These awards provide promising undergraduates with hands-on experience of research for a 6 - 8-week period during the summer vacation and have the aim of encouraging them to consider a career in research. They provide a weekly stipend of £180, plus £50 per week for the sponsoring laboratory. Applicants must be at a university within the UK or Republic of Ireland and should be an undergraduate in the second year or later of their degree and registered for a basic science, medicine, dentistry or veterinary degree. Scholarships are not available for the completion of student projects that are part of the normal degree course, or for students wishing to undertake research in laboratories outside Scotland.

Closing Dates

As a general rule, there are two funding rounds each year (spring and autumn) for Research Project Grants, one for Vacation Scholarships (spring) and, following invitation only, one (spring) for the Scottish Senior Clinical Research Fellowship Support Grants.

• Research Project Grants: September 17, 2010
• Vacation Scholarships: January 28, 2011
• SSCRF Support Grants (following invitation only): February 11, 2011

The maximum value and duration of Research Project Grants and SSCRF Support Grants are currently up to £150,000 over three years. Vacation Scholarships are for periods of between 6 and 8 weeks' duration during the summer vacation and provide a weekly stipend of £180, with an additional £50 per week for the sponsoring laboratory.

Rigorous selection processes

The award of Project Grants is made twice a year, the applications having been subjected to international peer review, subsequent review by all the scientific & medical Members (acting separately) and then following consideration and discussion by all the Members of Medical Research Scotland in committee. The number of Project Grant awards made at any time is at the discretion of the Members, is subject to the available funds and in light of the outcome of the peer review processes.

SSCRF Support Grant applications are subjected to the same review processes as those for Project Grants.

Vacation Scholarships applications (which must be submitted by active young biomedical scientists who are willing and able to supervise a named student and NOT by the student directly) are reviewed by the scientific & medical Members, with final funding decisions being taken by all the Members.