A key element of the College of Optometrists’ research strategy is to encourage and support research carried out by College Members within their community practice. The Small Grants Scheme, administered as part of iPRO, Innovation in Practice-based Research for Optometrists, the College of Optometrists’ research support service, provides funding to enable College Members to develop research expertise by undertaking small-scale research projects with help and support from experienced researchers.
We are now taking applications for the fourth round of Small Grant Scheme funding. Please see below for details.
We are now taking applications for the fourth round of Small Grant Scheme funding. Please see below for details.
What does Small Grants funding cover?
Small Grants cover the material costs of a research project and may include paying for locum cover.
Potential researchers may contact iPRO for advice before making an application. As projects progress, iPRO will maintain regular contact with grant holders to provide ongoing advice and training to help increase the prospect of the project reaching conclusion as well as encouraging and supporting the dissemination of findings.
Each grant will be worth a maximum of £10,000 and up to five grants will be allocated each year.
Examples of Small Grants Projects
The following are just a few examples of the sorts of topics that may be suitable for a Small Grant:
- Evaluation of any difference found in subjective refraction when using a refractor head compared with a trial frame
- The impact of media images on children’s attitudes towards wearing spectacles
- Factors associated with the decision to seek an eye examination
- Evaluation of the difference in interpretation of the appearance of the fundus and/or disc appearance between direct ophthalmoscopy and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy
- Measuring the effectiveness of various interventions in the routine eye examination
Eligibility and application criteria
- Applicants must be Members of the College of Optometrists
- Projects should normally be completed within one year of a grant being awarded
- All applications will be peer reviewed
- The award of a Small Grant will be subject to satisfactory ethical review of the proposed project
- Grant recipients will be required to submit a report of their research within three months of completion of the project
- Grant recipients may be required to disseminate their work and will be offered assistance to achieve agreed research outputs such as publication and/or conference presentations
Individuals and joint applications are welcome.
Closing date
The fourth round of Small Grant Scheme funding has a closing date of 31 July 2009.
How to apply
In the first instance, potential applicants should send an outline proposal to Beverley Hancock, the iPRO Manager. She will advise you on the suitability of your project for the Scheme and provide help with developing a full application. You can also contact Beverley with informal enquiries and questions.
The outline proposal should be no longer than two pages of A4 and provide the following information:
- Name of applicant and post held
- Contact details: a postal address for correspondence, telephone number and email address
- Title of project – this should describe the focus of the research
- Why this is an important topic
- Initial thoughts on how the research would be undertaken
We are also holding a training day at the College on Sunday 28 June, 1.00pm - 4.00pm, that will focus on developing applications for research funding. Attendance at this course is strongly advised for individuals thinking of applying for funding. For more information and to confirm your attendance please see the booking form below.
28 june 09 training day booking form
Contact details for outline proposals and further information
28 june 09 training day booking form
Contact details for outline proposals and further information
Beverley Hancock
iPRO Manager
Dept of Primary Care & General Practice
University of Birmingham
Primary Care Clinical Sciences Building
Edgbaston
Birmingham B15 2TT
Telephone: 0121 414 7113