Opportunity profile: Breathing space for early-career researchers

The British Lung Foundation’s pump-priming grants are a great opportunity for early-career researchers to lead their first project, the charity’s head of research Ian Jarrold tells Eleni Courea.

Ian’s top tips

• Junior researchers should involve more senior colleagues on their bids, to maximise their chances of success.
• The BLF favours bids that have genuine potential to lead to larger bids with other funders, so think about the next steps for the research.
• As a small charity with patient involvement, a strong lay summary will boost a bid’s chances of success.
• Solid statistical justification of sample sizes will always impress reviewers.

The BLF’s annual Pump Priming Research Grants are worth a maximum of £25,000 over three years, with priority given to bids in the foundation’s priority research areas