Opportunity profile: Promoting patient priorities

Kidney Research UK has tightened its focus on patients, and bids should reflect that

Top tips

• Three elements are essential in applications: innovative science, relevance to patients and alignment with the charity’s strategic priorities.
• The charity offers opportunities relevant to different career stages; ensure you are eligible before applying.
• Patient engagement on bids from the start—even with lab-based projects—is vital.
• Strong preliminary evidence and robust power calculations will always be advantageous.

A mainstay of the funding landscape for nephrology-related research, Kidney Research UK’s Research Grants have had something of a shakeup over the last few years. Two main changes have taken place. First, the charity has instated a two-phase application system. And second, but possibly more importantly, KRUK involves patients more than before during the grants assessment process and expects strong patient involvement in applications.