Opportunity profile: Starting off in child health research

The Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and Sparks are looking to give an early-career boost to child health researchers with their joint project grants. Shanna Isaacson, grants manager for both charities, gives Ashleigh Furlong the lowdown.

Shanna’s top tips

• Consider value for money, particularly if you are applying for a larger award.
• Applications can be in any child health research area but those relevant to several rare diseases are particularly encouraged.
• While the track record of an applicant will be considered, scientific excellence is the most important criterion.

The Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity and Sparks Children’s Medical Research Charity have up to £2 million available to UK-based researchers applying to their Child Health Research Project Grants. This year, the two charities will also be partnering with rare disease charities Action for A-T, Dravet Syndrome UK, Krabbe UK, Myotubular Trust and the Norrie Disease Foundation.