UK Occupational Therapy Research Foundation (UKOTRF) Research Career Development Grant 2015 Call for Proposals and Submission Information Introduction The UKOTRF is a division of the College of Occupational Therapists which was launched in 2007 in order to build the evidence-base for occupational therapy and to increase research capacity within the profession. Since that time, a range of funding opportunities has been offered via the UKOTRF including a number of grants supported by external sponsors. The career development grant scheme aims to build a cadre of occupational therapy researchers with the skills and ability to become our future research leaders. Research Career Development Grants support doctoral or early post-doctoral (ie within 5 years of completing PhD or similar) study for individuals who can demonstrate a career pathway as an occupational therapy researcher. Project bids Two grants of up to £10,000 each are available in the 2015 funding round. It would be expected that the project duration would not normally exceed 3 years. The ability to commence work promptly would be an advantage. Compliance with Research Governance Frameworks for Health and Social Care must be demonstrated, with approval from relevant research ethics committees. Applicants should note that, as a registered charity, the College does not expect to meet university overhead costs associated with full economic costing, and this should be reflected in the financial statement. Lead applicant The lead applicant must be a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists (BAOT) at the time the proposal is submitted. It would be expected that the applicant can demonstrate how they have developed research expertise in their subject area and how they intend developing their career as an occupational therapy researcher at postdoctoral level. Collaborating partnerships It is anticipated that, particularly at postdoctoral level, applicants may wish to include details of collaborative partnerships with other researchers who will be contributing to the proposed project. Co-applicants who have a UK occupational therapy qualification must meet the BAOT membership criterion as stated above. The review process The review process will take place in a single stage. Proposals will be reviewed against the following criteria: Scientific excellence Ethical soundness Strength of collaborating partnerships (where relevant) Contribution to development of research leadership Institutional support Track record of individual Feasibility and value for money Potential impact on practice User involvement Information received through the review process will be used by the UKOTRF Advisory Group to guide decision-making for successful projects. Project management and outputs The lead applicant will assume responsibility for day-to-day management of the individual project and ensure that timescale milestones are met. Written progress reports will be required at specified intervals, as indicted on the grant contract / letter of agreement. A final project report will be required on an agreed date. It will also be a requirement that an article from the research is submitted to the British Journal of Occupational Therapy (BJOT), and an abstract submitted to the College’s annual conference. Grant payments The grant will be paid in instalments, in line with the payment schedule set out in the grant contract / letter of agreement. Payment of the final instalment will be subject to sign-off by COT of the project and receipt of confirmation of the BJOT submission. Submission of proposals The proposal form must be completed in typescript using minimum of 10pt font. All relevant sections of the proposal form must be completed within the space provided / word allowance stated. You are advised to print off a hard copy of the proposal form as a guide to the space allowance. CVs and other documents appended to the proposal form will not be considered. The deadline for receipt by COT of proposals is 5.00pm on Friday 16 January 2015. Proposals received after this deadline will not be considered. The proposal must be submitted in both hard copy and electronic format, by the deadline, and sent to: Lesley Gleaves (R&D Administrator) College of Occupational Therapists, 106-114 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB email: lesley.gleaves@cot.co.uk Receipt of proposals will be acknowledged via email. All applicants will be notified of the outcome by email by 2 April 2015. Formal written feedback will be provided to both successful and unsuccessful applicants. Top tips and FAQs A list of ‘top tips’ and FAQs has been produced to assist members considering applying for a grant in the 2015 funding round. This can be accessed from the COT website at: http://www.cot.co.uk/uk-ot-research-foundation-ukotrf/ukotrf-research-grants Research Career Development Grant 2015: Call for Proposals (page 2)