Grant Support
The CRUK Scotland Institute is committed to enabling bold, high-quality cancer research by supporting researchers to secure external funding that advances discovery, translation, collaboration and career development. The funding landscape is highly competitive and increasingly complex, with funders placing strong emphasis on research quality, feasibility, impact, responsible research practice, equality, diversity and inclusion, data management and value for money.
Our Grant Support Service team helps researchers navigate this landscape by providing tailored support across the funding journey, from identifying suitable opportunities and shaping early ideas, through proposal and budget development, guideline compliance, internal review and submission support, to post-award transition to the Finance team.
Supporting researchers through the funding journey
Our support spans the full funding lifecycle:
- 1Plan
- 2Identify opportunity
- 3Develop application
- 4Review
- 5Submit
- 6Award handover
- 7Funded award
The Grant Support Service
The Grant Support Service team works with researchers across the Institute to develop competitive, fundable and strategically aligned applications. We support Group Leaders, Fellows, postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, and collaborate with Finance, People and Culture and Research Management colleagues involved in research funding activity.
The team provides advice, coordination and practical support for externally funded research applications and awards. We encourage researchers to engage with the team as early as possible, particularly for large, collaborative, strategic or fellowship applications. Early engagement allows time to identify appropriate funding, agree a submission plan, coordinate budgets and supporting documents, and arrange internal review where required.
Funding opportunities and intelligence
The Grant Support Service helps researchers identify funding opportunities that align with their research area, career stage, collaboration plans and longer-term funding strategy. This includes targeted opportunity searches, funder and scheme intelligence, advice on eligibility and remit, and regular funding updates through the Institute’s funding bulletin.
Application development
The Grant Support Service provides practical support from early planning through to submission. This can include interpreting funder guidance, developing application timelines, structuring proposals, advising on non-scientific and institutional sections, coordinating supporting documents and working with relevant colleagues on budgets and costing.
For fellowship and other career-development applications, the Grant Support Service can also support planning, eligibility checks, institutional statements, application structure, internal feedback and interview preparation.
Internal review and proposal quality
Internal review can help strengthen an application before submission by testing its clarity, feasibility, funder fit and overall case for support. Where appropriate, the Grant Support Service can help coordinate internal peer review, feedback timelines and final checks.
Applicants should also seek appropriate scientific review of the technical and methodological aspects of their proposals from relevant subject experts.
Training, resources and funding development
The Grant Support Service supports researchers to build confidence and capability in research funding through workshops, guidance, templates, funding updates and other resources. Training and development activities may cover areas such as grant writing, funder expectations, writing for reviewers, impact, feasibility, responsible research, equality, diversity and inclusion, resubmission strategies and fellowship applications.
Award set-up and funded awards
Support continues from the Grant Support Service after a successful funding decision. For relevant awards, we can help coordinate handover discussions with Finance, People and Culture, external Grant Officers and other colleagues to clarify funder requirements, reporting deadlines, finance arrangements, recruitment and project start-up.
FAQs
How can our researchers find suitable funding opportunities?
The Grant Support Service can help identify funders and schemes aligned with your research area, career stage, collaboration plans and longer-term funding strategy. Funding opportunities and updates are also circulated through the Institute funding bulletin.
Do you review scientific content?
Members of the Grant Support Service are experienced biomedical researchers and can provide feedback on the clarity, structure, funder fit, strategic alignment and overall presentation of an application.
However, this does not replace specialist scientific peer review. Applicants should also seek review from appropriate scientific experts who can assess the technical detail, methodology and scientific background of the proposal.
Can the Grant Support Service help with fellowship applications?
Yes. The Grant Support Service can support applicants based at the Institute, as well as those who have secured a future appointment here. We can support fellowship planning, eligibility checks, funder guidance, application structure, timeline management, institutional statements, internal feedback and interview preparation.
What happens when a grant is awarded?
The Grant Support Service can coordinate award handover discussions with relevant colleagues, including Finance, HR and Project Coordinators. These discussions help ensure that key requirements, reporting deadlines, finance arrangements, recruitment plans and project start-up actions are clear.
Funding resources and updates
Researchers can access current funding opportunities, guidance, templates, application resources and training through the Institute’s research support resources and funding updates.
Who should I contact about funding?
Contact Dr Afroditi Chatzi at funding@crukscotlandinstitute.ac.uk.