Background

Originally launched in 2006, the BHIVA Research Awards are open, through competitive application, to all BHIVA members. A total of at least £30,000 per annum is available, to be distributed amongst the successful applicants according to the quality of the submitted proposals. The judging panel is chaired by an appointed chair and the call for applications is open from December to February. Successful applicants are announced at the BHIVA autumn conference.

Purpose of the awards

BHIVA Research Awards provide funding for research projects that will impact on the improvement of clinical care, management, health and wellbeing of people living with HIV and on the prevention of HIV transmission. Applicants must be from UK-based institutions and awards will be paid in UK currency (GBP) to UK bank accounts. Projects should be wholly or primarily focussed on UK populations. Applications with additional impact in other country or population settings and/or which support the development of research skills for the UK-based applicant may also be considered.

Application support and additional information

The BHIVA Research Awards programme provides support to all potential applicants, including queries on eligibility, the application process and scientific questions. In addition, BHIVA also provides registrars with access to senior doctors who can be contacted for advice on a particular project. For support with your application, or for information on the mentoring programme, please contact the BHIVA Secretariat at [email protected].

Awards summary and timelines

The envisaged timeline for the BHIVA Research Awards is as follows:

Funding available for the 2024 awards round

In 2024, a minimum of £30,000 is available to be distributed amongst the successful applicants. These funds will be distributed to several projects of up to £10k and, subject to quality of submission, projects up to £30k may be considered. The allocation of all funds will depend on the funding available and the quality of applications received. Please see below for more information on the type of projects that will be accepted for review.

BHIVA Research Awards 2024 are part-funded by Gilead Sciences.

Eligibility

Who can apply

The Awards are only open to BHIVA members^†, either medical or non-medical, working on HIV infection in any capacity that contributes to improvement in HIV care and management within the UK.

BHIVA seeks to support clinical and non-clinical researchers who are developing and establishing themselves as independent researchers. Therefore, applications from persons who are not yet independent researchers or who do not hold an established academic or clinical post would be particularly welcomed and encouraged to apply for the BHIVA Research Awards.

^† Please note: Applications must be made online only. Only applications from BHIVA members will be accepted. If you are not a BHIVA member, please join at: www.bhiva.org/Membership and allow up to 2 working days for your application to be processed. In addition, successful applicants must retain their BHIVA membership during the entire period of any research project supported by the BHIVA Research Awards.

Types of projects

BHIVA welcomes projects that may lead to improved clinical care, management, health and wellbeing of people living with HIV and on the prevention of HIV transmission or studies that have the potential to translate into improvements in UK HIV clinical care and management or the prevention of HIV transmission in the UK. In addition, BHIVA is keen to fund small projects that undertake research that may have additional impact in other country or populations settings that would not attract funding from traditional sources.

NIHR non-commercial partner status

BHIVA is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) non-commercial partner in respect of its Research Awards funding stream. Appropriate research studies funded through this NIHR non-commercial partner funding stream are automatically eligible for inclusion in the NIHR Clinical Research Network (CRN) Portfolio and therefore entitled to:

• Use the NIHR Coordinated System for gaining NHS permissions (NIHR CSP), which is accessed via the Integrated Research Application System (IRAS)

• Access NHS support via the NIHR Clinical Research Network.

Please note that to gain inclusion on the NIHR CRN Portfolio research studies funded by BHIVA must meet the standard study eligibility criteria, namely that it:

• Is a discrete structure research project with an appropriate study protocol

• Is of clear value to the NHS

• Involves NHS patients, staff, premises, facilities or resources

• Requires NHS support via the NIHR Clinical Research Network.

Please refer to the following websites for further information about:

NIHR CRN Portfolio https://www.nihr.ac.uk/researchers/collaborations-services-and-support-for-your-research/run-your-study/crn-portfolio.htm

IRAS https://www.myresearchproject.org.uk/ (researchers use this site to begin the process of applying for NHS Permissions and for inclusion in the NIHR CRN Portfolio)

Downloads

Download the Guidance Manual

BHIVA Research Awards 2024 - applications are now closed