Medium research, quality improvement and innovation grants

Applications will be considered from departments of anaesthesia where at least one applicant from the group is a current member of the OAA of at least 12 months standing. That member, along with all the other applicants, must have a significant and substantial contribution to the conception, design or delivery of the project. If the project lead investigator is a trainee anaesthetist, it is expected that supervision from an experienced investigator working in the same department will be provided.

The project must be relevant to obstetric anaesthesia. For research projects payment of the grant is subject to research governance and applicable approvals. Projects must be carried out according to the guidelines stipulated in Good Clinical Practice.

Applications of various amounts up to a maximum of £20,000 will be considered. In addition to research, money may be used to support innovation and product development or for quality improvement projects concerned with education, training, patient care or safety or some other aspect that is compatible with the core activities of the OAA.

Money may be for equipment (excluding laptops, personal computers, filing cabinets and other basic office equipment), consumables, part-salary or other expenses that will be directly incurred by the project. If the grant is used to support a salary, the employer is responsible for ensuring that appropriate health checks are made according to local occupational health guidelines and that the employee carries appropriate professional indemnity.

Applicants who have obtained part-funding for their project from another source may apply for this grant but must declare the details of the other sources of funding. Similarly, applicants may apply who wish to use this grant to support an application to another source.

Researchers’ travel expenses and conference attendance will not be covered.

Successful recipients must supply a report to the OAA within two years of receiving the grant. If the project is not finished within this timeframe, annual reports on progress must be submitted to the OAA. The OAA must be acknowledged in any presentation or publication that arises from the project and results should be submitted for presentation at the OAA Annual Scientific Meeting.

Please refer to the terms and conditions for further information.

Each application will be assessed by members of the OAA Research and Grants Subcommittee and, where appropriate, by expert external peer review. The OAA reserves the right not to make an award if the application is not of sufficient standard.

Application forms can be downloaded here.

Applicants should complete the application form and send it by email to Yavor Metodiev, Chair of the OAA Research and Grants Subcommittee.

Applicants should provide a thorough description of how the funds will be spent. Where appropriate, confirmation (with documentation) that the proposed project has been approved by the appropriate ethics committee or has been sent for approval. Final approval must be sent to the OAA once it has been received.

Please be advised that incomplete, unsigned or late applications will NOT be considered.

The next deadline for applications is 26 April 2024.