Big Lottery Research funding

The Fund is seeking to appoint a specialist organisation or consortium with experience in the area of research grant giving to run the programme over the next seven years. The opportunity has been publicised today through the Official Journal of the European Union (OJEU) for organisations to express an interest by a deadline of 21 July 2006.

The new three-year programme has been created following a show of public support for a Lottery-funded research scheme through the Fund’s consultation. It follows on from the success of the Community Fund’s original Research programme that awarded over £55.1 million to 264 projects over 5 years and helped finance ground-breaking research.

The successful award partner with the Fund will be announced before the end of the year with the grant scheme opening for applications in Spring of 2007. The aim of Research Grants Programme is to fund high quality medical and social research in the areas of health and social well being.

Big Lottery Fund Chief Executive Stephen Dunmore said:

Grants will be available to charities and community and voluntary sector organisations across the UK to carry out research into medical and social issues of concern to communities. These organisations are expected to lead on the projects but can team up with other organisations to bring the necessary expertise.

To support the programme, some funding will be used to provide practical support to those wanting to develop a research project and apply to the programme. The management of the support service will also be open to tender and a notice has also been issued today through OJEU for expressions of interest to be received by 21 July 2006.

The Big Lottery Fund will closely monitor the delivery of the programme and will be fully involved in decision-making on the grants.

www.biglotteryfund.org.uk