Frequently asked questions for grant applicants
- Eligibility
- Funding & Budget
- Preparing an application
- Assessment and Communications
- Getting started
- Contacts
Q. Who should apply?
A. The applicant (Principal Investigator-PI for the study) must hold a research position (full-time, not a PhD student) at the host institution for the duration of the project. Only one person can act as PI.
Investigator Initiated Grants (IIGs) are open to any PI from anywhere in the world except from the Americas (North America, Central America including the Caribbean and South America). Regional Seed Grants (RSGs) are open to any PI based in one of our network countries excluding the USA (ie: UK, France, the Netherlands, Hong Kong).
Q. Is my institution eligible?
A. Eligible institutions include universities, medical schools, NHS Trusts, research institutes and other academic centres anywhere in the world. Applications from commercial organisations are not eligible.
Q. Can a PhD student be the PI?
A. No, a PhD student cannot be the PI. However she/he can be included on a research grant project, providing that she/he is a full-time student, spending 100% of their time on the project. The host institution is responsible for the progress and training of the PhD student and must ensure adequate supervision and assessment of the student’s progress and research training.
Q. Can researchers from the Americas apply for funding to WCRF International or do they have to apply directly to AICR?
A. Researchers from the Americas (North America, Central America including
the Caribbean and South America) cannot apply to WCRF international
for the Investigator Initiated grants or Regional Seed grants and should
apply directly to AICR.
For more information about AICR’s grant programme and research priorities, see www.aicr.org/grants.
Q. When and how should I acknowledge WCRF?
A. WCRF International manages
and administers the grant programme on behalf of the following WCRF global
network national members: WCRF UK, Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds (WCRF
Netherlands), Fonds Mondial de Recherche contre le Cancer (WCRF France),
and WCRF Hong Kong. You should acknowledge the relevant global network
entity that is funding the project, as well as WCRF International, in
any publication, poster, or presentation that includes research supported
in whole or in part by the WCRF global network. Posters and Presentations
should also include the relevant WCRF global network entity logos.
Please note: Detailed instructions on how to acknowledge the WCRF global network members are sent to successful grant applicants in the New Grant Holder Welcome Pack.
Q. Is there a limit to the number of applications:
1) the PI can submit?
A. One application per PI per grant cycle. However, where a fundable grant from the previous cycle is re-submitted, an exception can be made. A maximum of two applications can be submitted per grant cycle.
Please note: An applicant can be PI for one application and co-applicant in one or more other applications.
2) a research organisation can submit?
A. No, there is no limit per research organisation.
Q. Do you fund grants jointly with other charities?
A. WCRF International may enter into collaboration with other grant funding bodies, to fund applications jointly, which meet the objectives of both organisation, with the agreement of the applicant.
We are currently inviting applications for breast cancer projects to be considered for joint funding by both WCRF International and Breast Cancer Campaign. Researchers from the UK and Ireland interested in submitting an application should directly apply to WCRF International.
2. Funding & BudgetQ. How much funding is available under this call?
A. IIGs are awarded for a maximum of £250,000 (up to 4 years; limit of £75,000 for any 1 year), and RSGs for a maximum of £60,000 (up to 2 years).
Q. How many awards do you intend to make?
A. The 2010/11 grant cycle awarded 7 grants for a total of £1.42 million.
Q. What will the budget cover?
A. Grants will generally cover costs of: salaries for staff, research equipment & expendable supplies. Equipment costing more than £700 must be itemised and justified. A maximum of £1,000 can be claimed for PhD fees.
Q. What costs are not covered by the grant?
A. Funding is not provided for indirect costs (not relating to the research grant) such as:
institutional overheads;
purchase of literature or furniture; membership fees to professional societies; recruitment/ relocation expenses; buildings construction or maintenance; non-medical or personal services to patients; per diem charges for hospital beds.
In the UK, funding to cover indirect costs can be accessed from The Charity Research Support Fund (CRSF).
Q. Is the PI’s salary covered by the grant?
A. No. It is expected/ assumed that the institution will cover the PI’s salary. However, the grant may partially cover the salary/ stipend of other staff, including statisticians, other co-investigators, PhD students or other junior investigators involved in the project.
Q. Is there a travel allowance for the PI and other staff working on the project?
A. Yes, there is. We encourage grant holders and associated staff to attend conferences and will provide funds towards the cost of travel, registration and accommodation. The maximum allowance for travel is £1,200 for RSGs and £2,400 for IIGs.
Q. I plan to request funds for two PhD students, but they haven’t yet been identified. How do I approach this in my application?
A. The applicant should include a letter indicating that the institution will look favourably on such a request to recruit two PhD students to work on the research grant project. The applicant should inform WCRF International as soon as the recruitment of the PhD student(s) is completed (or conversely if there are any delays/problems finding suitable candidates).
Q. Where do I include the budget proposal?
A. For Outline Applications, budget details (salary, consumables, travel, other) are included in the form. For Full Applications, a budget sheet with detailed budgetary information will need to be submitted.
Q. What currency should the budget proposal be submitted in?
A. Budgets should be submitted in pounds sterling only.
Q. What currency will funds be paid in?
A. Grants are awarded in the currency of the WCRF global network national member awarding the grant:
Grants awarded by Wereld Kanker Onderzoek Fonds (WCRF Netherlands) or Fonds Mondial de Recherche contre le Cancer (WCRF France) will be paid in Euros. The amount to be paid is determined on the day of Board approval.
Grants awarded by WCRF UK will be paid in pounds sterling (£).
Please note: if the host institution uses a currency other than pounds sterling (£), the monthly payment will be subject to fluctuations in the exchange rate.
Q. Where will payment be made?
A. All grant payments are made solely to the PI’s institution.
Q. How will payment be made?
A. Payments will be made monthly in arrears by electronic transfer to the host institution’s bank account. If this is not possible payments will be made by cheque.
Q. What makes a strong application?
A. Proposed projects should have an original and sound hypothesis, a clear study design, and be relevant to WCRF International’s general research principles and specific research priorities. They should also be achievable within the timescale and budget specified, and include power calculations and relevant statistics.
Q. Do you fund studies using cell lines or animal models?
A. WCRF International will consider applications for relevant studies using cell lines or animal models that explore mechanistic pathways of the cancer process. Experimental studies that exclusively explore changes in the cancer outcome (e.g., incidence, tumour size) will be considered only if the applicant demonstrates that these changes are relevant to human cancer. Preference will be given to applications that have direct relevance to human cancer. Projects that are outside the human in vivo setting that are not justified in terms of their relevance to humans will be unlikely to be given priority.
Q. Are there any options for funding researchers who work on anti cancer drugs?
A. We do not fund research on anti cancer drugs. Our grant programme focuses on the role of food, nutrition, physical activity and body fatness on cancer risk.
Q. I am interested in applying for a grant, how do I go about this?
A. All applicants (for new & revised applications) must initially complete the Outline Application form. If successful at the Outline Application stage, applicants are invited to submit a Full Application form.
Q. My grant is due to end early next year, and I’d like to renew it. Do I need to fill in an Outline Application?
A. No, it is not necessary to complete an Outline Application form - renewal proposals can be submitted at the Full Application stage. However, the PI should contact WCRF International to register intent to apply for a renewal grant at the Outline Application stage. Please note: Renewal applications will compete equally in the grant review process with new applications in that cycle.
Q. What extra information do I need to include in my renewal application?
A. Renewals must include all relevant progress reports, one copy of the original funded application, and all publications resulting from the previous funding by the WCRF global network.
Q. Can I submit an application, which has previously been submitted to the WCRF International Grant Panel?
A. If an application is not deemed fundable at the Full Application stage, the PI may submit a new Outline Application in the next grant cycle. This revised application will include an additional section, where all issues previously raised by the Grant Panel and peer reviewers should be addressed; it will also compete equally with all other submitted applications in that cycle.
Q. If my application was judged to be of scientific merit in the last cycle, but due to limited funds, it could not be funded, would I need to fill in an Outline Application?
A. No, applicants of unfunded successful grants from the previous cycle would be exempt from completing an Outline Application, and will be invited to submit a Full Application in the next grant cycle.
Q. Our outline proposal has been accepted, however the PI for the project will be moving to another institution. In this case, would we need the signatures of the original persons or the ones of the new employer?
A. Grants may be transferred from one institution to another. However the PI would need to submit a letter as soon as possible to WCRF International requesting transfer of the grant, giving the PI’s new address, and the address and contact details of, and signatures from, the relevant head of department and the head of the new institution. For more detailed information on the process of transferring PIs see section 7 (Procedures for funded grants: Terms and Conditions) of the GAP.
Q. Do tables or references affect the word count?
A. Tables and references are not included in the total word count.
Q. Do I need full ethics permission and regulatory approvals for any human or animal studies in the grant proposal?
A. Certification for protection of human participants must be completed for all applications. Certifications can fall under one of three categories: approved, pending or not applicable. Studies involving animals will need the relevant licenses and/or certification. Please consider any potential costs associated with gaining licenses or certification and include these in your budget.
Q. How do I submit my application?
A. Applicants should submit an online Outline Application form by Wednesday 12th October 2011 (5pm UK). Successful applicants at the outline stage will be invited to submit a Full Application. The online Full Application should be submitted by Monday 13th February 2012 (5pm UK).
Q. What happens if my application is received after the deadline?
A. Any proposals received after the deadline will not be considered. Please note that missing or additional materials sent by the applicant after the deadline are not accepted unless they have been requested by WCRF International.
Q. How will my grant application be assessed?
A. Outline Applications are reviewed by WCRF International’s Grant Panel. Successful applicants are invited to proceed to the Full Application stage. Full Applications are peer reviewed externally (at least 2 reviewers per application) and by the Grant Panel. The Grant Panel make recommendations to the Board. The Board approves successful applications.
Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) Peer Review Audit: The WCRF International Regular Grant Programme has passed the AMRC Peer Review Audit and has been awarded a Certificate to show that it follows best practice when peer reviewing grant applications. The AMRC assessed the accountability, balance, independence, rotation and impartiality of the WCRF International’s peer review process (both internal and external). This audit allows us to demonstrate our commitment to the highest standards of accountability and probity to donors, funders, the government and researchers.
Q. When can I expect to receive feedback on whether my application has been successful?
A. The PI will be notified by e-mail of the outcome of the Outline Application before the Full Application stage opens. No specific feedback can be given to unsuccessful applications at the Outline stage.
For Full Applications, the PI may be asked to respond to Panel and peer reviewers’ comments before a final decision is made.
Q. If unsuccessful at the Full Application stage, will applicants receive feedback?
A. Yes. Comments from the peer reviewers and Grant Panel are provided in unattributed form to the applicants at the end of the process.
Q. When will the awards be announced?
A. Awards for the 2010/11 Regular Grant Programme cycle will be announced in early October 2011.
Q. When can the project start?
A. Research grants are awarded in September each year and research grants must start between 1 November in that year & 1 April of the following year.
Q. Is there any documentation that needs to be completed prior to the start of the project?
A. The PI should complete and sign both the terms and conditions form and the payment form, and return them to the WCRF International’s Research Programme Officer. The payment form must be returned at least one calendar month prior to the grant start date (any time between 1 November in the year the grant is awarded & 1 April of the following year). The institution’s Head of Department, Finance Officer, Human Resources and Press Office representatives will also be required to sign the term and conditions form. For more detailed information on the documents needed see section 7 (Procedures for funded grants: Terms and Conditions) of the GAP.
Q. What are WCRF International terms and conditions that the PI should comply with?
A. Please refer to section 7 (Procedures for funded grants: Terms and Conditions) of the Grant Application Package for more information about the terms and conditions.
Q. If my query is not answered by the FAQ’s, and I have a scientific query regarding my application, who should I contact?
A. Please email your query to the Science and Research Coordinator at research@wcrf.org.
