Research Funders
There are a number of organisations, including the NIHR and charities, that fund audiology and ENT research. They range in available funding amounts, types of research eligible, and frequency of calls.
Research funders – public bodies
| Funder | Funding Stream | Remit | Process outline | Frequency of funding |
| NIHR | Research for patient benefit (RfPB) | Studies with translational benefits to patient care in day-to-day health and social care services. | Two-stage application process, invitation to submit to stage 2. Stage 1 submission deadline typically within 3 months and outcome 2 months following (including invitation to Stage 2). Stage 2 1 month between invitation and submission, outcome noted 12 months from first call launch. | Three calls per year, launches typically March, July, and November. |
| NIHR | Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC) | Research which generates evidence to improve, expand and strengthen the way social care is delivered for users of care services, carers, the social care workforce, and the public. | This is a new programme opening in September 2023 | |
| NIHR | NICE rolling call: · Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) · Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) · Health Technology Assessment (HTA) · Public Health Research (PHR) | Studies addressing research recommendations from NICE guidance. | Two-stage application process, invitation to submit to stage 2. | Multiple calls per year depending on grant type. |
| NIHR | Innovation for Innovation (i4i) | Translational research funding aimed at de-risking early-to-late stage medical devices, in vitro diagnostics, and high-impact patient-focussed digital health technologies with demonstrated proof of concept and clear pathway for adoption and commercialisation. | Two-stage application process, invitation to submit to stage 2. | Three funding streams with two to three themed and open calls annually. Submissions for each stage typically within 6-8 weeks of launch. |
| UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) | · Innovate UK · Medical Research Council (MRC) · Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) · Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) – UKRI | Variety of themed calls including diagnostics, medical technologies and devices, digital health, therapeutic and medicine development, human data science, and advanced therapies. | Typically a two-stage application process with invitation to submit to stage 2. | Multiple calls annually. |
| Defence and Security Accelerator | Veterans’ Health Innovation Fund (up to £30k) | Research aimed to improve veteran health. | Single stage application process, proposals submitted through DASA Online Submission Service | Annual call with themed foci. |
Charities
| Funder | Funding Stream | Remit | Process outline | Frequency of funding |
| Wellcome Trust | Multiple themed calls, typically ranging up to £300k or £5million. | Multinational funding available across multiple areas including healthcare. | Single stage application with panel meeting. | Multiple annual calls. |
| Bill and Melinda Gates Foundatio | Grant OpportunitiesGlobal Grand Challenge Opportunities | Funding available to US & tax-exempt organisations, themes available across multiple areas including healthcare. | Single stage application. | Multiple annual calls. |
| The Health Foundation | Multiple themed and open calls. | Research and policy analysis to translate to health care and services | Application followed by panel and interview selection. | Multiple annual rolling calls. |
| Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) | Discovery Research Grant (up to £200k) RNID-Foundation Pour l’Audition Translational Grant (up to £100k/year up to 3 years) Innovation Seed Fund (up to £10k) | Research focussing on hearing loss, tinnitus, or other hearing-related conditions. | Two-stage application for larger grants, second round by invitation only. | 1-2 calls per year depending on grant type. |
| Tinnitus UK | Various calls, when available | Research focussing on hearing loss, tinnitus, or other hearing-related conditions. | Varies by programme. | Varies by programme. |
| Meniere’s Society | Small grants (up tp £12k) Research grants (£12k to £40k) Large research grants (over £40k) | Research and funding to benefit you and those affected by vestibular disorders. | Varies by grant. | Varies by grant. |
| British Society of Otology (BSO) | Small research grant (up to £1k) | Small or pilot projects | Single stage application | Annual |
| British Cochlear Implant Group (BCIG) | Small grant programme (up to £3k) | Workshops to develop protocols and collaborations, equipment, consumables, and small studenships. | Single stage application, lead applicant must be a BCIG member. | Rolling call. |
BSA Small Grants Scheme
The BSA Small Grant Scheme is now open!
For BSA Members Only.
The BSA strive to improve and develop audiology services across the UK and recognise growing interest and appetite for audiology professionals in being trained and involved in research.
As part of the work of the BSA Research Development Group to support members in developing clinical research capacity and capability, a decision was made to offer opportunities for professionals within audiology to apply for grant funding.
This funding is to support members to undertake applied research activities which have a clear trajectory of benefit to people with hearing, tinnitus or balance problems.
Each application should have a practicing clinician in a relevant discipline as the lead principal investigator, supported by an academic co-investigator as appropriate.
Applications for collaborations between clinicians and academics are welcome. Where academic or research expertise is deemed appropriate for the feasibility of the research but lacking from the study team, the BSA may recommend the support of a research mentor. The lead applicant and academic co-investigator must be members of the BSA at the time of application and for the duration of the research delivery.
The funding may be used for any research-related activity except for conference attendance or training. Indirect research costs are entirely excluded. Funding to top-up an otherwise part-, self-, or un-funded PhD will be considered.
Applications will be considered for applied research areas that are clinically relevant to patients with hearing, tinnitus, or balance problems, and clinical service provision.
Examples of projects may include:
- Research questions identified by the Special Interest Groups or the Professional Guidance Group
- Research relating to clinical or professional practice on assessment, diagnosis and management of hearing, tinnitus, or balance problems
- Research relating to clinical service delivery and implementation
Funding amounts will be up to a maximum of £5,000 per individual project. Proposals for projects with smaller budgets are encouraged
For further information please contact Jonathan Arthur, Consultant Clinical Scientist (Audiology), Hywel Dda University Health Board. Jonathan.arthur@wales.nhs.uk
To request an application form please contact bsa@thebsa.org.uk
The next round of BSA Small Grant Scheme application must be submitted no later than 12 noon on 31st January 2026.
BSA Roger Thornton Award
For BSA members, there is funding available for students who would like to present work at a relevant conference through the Roger Thornton Award.
