Skip to main content
News
Tuesday 16 November 2021

Launch of research fund to benefit patient care

Innovative research projects will receive support from a new funding scheme at University Hospital Southampton (UHS).

Southampton Hospitals Charity (SHC) has partnered with the UHS Research & Development team to provide seed funding for proposals totalling up to £100,000.

This will enable clinicians and researchers to prove their hypotheses, gather preliminary data and secure future grants.

The research fund is targeting proposals with potential to directly enhance patient care.

Dr Karen Underwood, Interim Director of Research & Development at UHS, said: “We’re proud to establish this fund together with our hospital charity. It will empower our clinicians to answer the questions that matter most to our patients and communities, driving further investment and studies.

“It is everything UHS is about. Clever, committed and completely focussed on our people and improving what we do for them.”

Diverse research opportunities

SHC will run a call for grant awards over the next few months.

All research designs, disciplines, and scope, except for basic science projects, will be considered. SHC has identified a number of research areas for this round, based on the potential for timely fundraising:

  • cancer care
  • cardiology
  • child health, including neonatal
  • neurology
  • ophthalmology

The total number of projects awarded will be determined by quality and impact. Exceptionally strong cases would be required for any project costing over £50,000. The deadline for submissions is 26 January 2022.

‘An exciting future’

Fundraising will launch once the successful projects have been selected. Projects are therefore not expected to start before January 2023.

Jeneen Thomsen, Interim Joint Director at SHC, said: “The Charity is so pleased to be launching our research fund to support clinicians and researchers who share our determination to enhance care for our patients at UHS. This is a great opportunity for us to accelerate funding as we move forward into an exciting future.”

For more information on the SHC Research Fund application procedures please visit: https://www.uhs.nhs.uk/ClinicalResearchinSouthampton/For-researchers/Grant-funding-support/Current-funding-calls/Current-funding-calls.aspx