Research Funding Strategy

Last updated January 23rd 2012

Our Research Funding Strategy is drawn up in light of the currently prevailing medical, educational and research environment in Scotland and mindful of the terms and restrictions of our constitutive legislation. Following a major strategic review (2009-10) of all our activities, the Members of Medical Research Scotland confirmed that, while continuing to support the careers of young people in biomedical research in Scotland, they wish this support to be provided at an earlier career stage. In future, therefore, support will be provided for scientists at postgraduate, rather than postdoctoral, level and will incorporate enhanced career development training.

A copy of our Research Funding Strategy is available to download as a PDF.

The key points of our strategy:

  • aiming to improve health standards by supporting high-quality research
  • supporting young people in their careers in biomedical science in Scotland
  • being comprehensive in its support and not focussing on research into any one disease or condition
  • encouraging undergraduates to consider a biomedical research career by offering short Vacation Scholarships, enabling them to experience the academic research environment
  • enhancing the support to young graduates by offering 4-year PhD Studentships, with additional career development training, in cooperation with companies trading in Scotland and working in the biomedical field
  • continuing to keep under review the appropriateness and adequacy of the awards offered to ensure the most effective use of available funds, in light of the changing medical, educational and research scene in Scotland, in an increasingly difficult and competitive market.

It should be noted that, as a member of the AMRC, Medical Research Scotland follows its position statement on full economic costing (fEC) and will only pay for the directly-incurred and identifiable costs of research.