The BSAC grants programme is currently under review. No calls for applications will be made while this review is underway.

Diagnostics:

• More optimal/effective use of antimicrobials through PK/PD in clinical practice
• Prognostic markers of bacterial infection (i.e. when is an antibacterial indicated?)
• Prognostic markers of infection with microorganisms resistant to first-line empirical treatment regimens (i.e. when is a broad-spectrum antibacterial indicated?)
• Can better use of existing or new laboratory diagnostics including biomarkers support better stewardship across healthcare communities, with special reference to Virology?

Applications are also be invited under the Society’s usual areas of interest as follows:

• Mechanisms of antibacterial action
• Mechanisms of antibacterial resistance
• Antiviral resistance
• Antiviral
• Antifungals
• Antibiotic methods
• Antibiotic prescribing
• Antibiotic therapy
• Antiparasitic
• Evidence based medicine / Systematic reviews

For all past calls for specific topics please refer to the document “Specific Topic Call History” at the top of this page.
About Project Grants: Maximum value of £15,000 for projects of up to one-year duration. The BSAC invites applications for Project grants on an international/worldwide basis.
Project grants may be used for the following purposes:

• Pump priming projects
• Introducing a novel technique for existing work
• Supporting a change in direction of an established project
• Funding for trainees for projects/training (maximum value £5,000*)

*Up to £5,000 of a project grant can be allocated towards supporting researchers (at the start of, or early in, their career) who wish to develop ideas or learn methods outside of their discipline or area of expertise. Funding for attendance at a conference is not considered appropriate, however funding to participate in a training course will be considered.
Candidates are expected to provide full justification of project grant funds.
Application Process: Applications received in this category are subject to a four-step review process as follows: 1) an initial triage process, 2) an internal peer review process,  3) a final triage process; and 4) final review by the BSAC Grants Committee**. The initial triage (step 1) is to assess the eligibility of all applicants & research topics, applications not successful at this stage will be rejected and applicants notified directly. The final triage process (step 3) is to assess internal peer review scores, applications not successful at this stage will be rejected and applicants notified directly.
**The final review process (step 4) takes place at the BSAC Grants Committee meeting in May each year. Applicants are notified of a final decision by 31 May each year. The number of project grants awarded each year is dependent on the overall level of funding available in each year.
Making An Application For A BSAC Project Grant: Applicants must complete the application form on this page as follows:

1. Pages of the application form must not be separated or altered in any way
2. Applications must be a maximum 5x A4 pages outlining the investigation & including up to 15 references (but excluding the application form itself, the abridged CVs for all principal investigators, and the signed copy of the BSAC Terms and Conditions form)
3. Applications must be submitted as follows:

• A completed application form (found at the top of this page), and additional information provided in the exact order below***:
  • Abstract
  • Background
  • Hypotheses to be investigated
  • Aims of proposed research project
  • Plan of investigation
  • GANNT chart / timetable for proposed research
  • Justification for applying to The BSAC
  • Costs, with justification for costs (in GBP/UK currency)
  • References (no more than 15 in total)
  • Abridged CVs for all applicants named on the application form (maximum 2x A4 pages per investigator, including a clear statement of track record in this area and details of the most recent 10 publications)
• A signed copy of the BSAC Terms and Conditions form (before making an application applicants are advised to read all Terms and Conditions and Standard Operating Procedures found at: BSAC T&Cs/SOPS)
• Documents must be submitted via the BSAC grants online submission system.
  • The BSAC Grants online submission system will produce a single pdf document of all files uploaded – applicants must check this pdf document to ensure all information is clear and in the order requested above. 

***Applications not submitted with pages set in the order outlined will be returned to the applicant for revision. This order is requested to assist reviewers.There is an example of a completed Application Form at the top of this page.
Applications submitted by email will not be accepted.
All costs, including inflationary increases, should be accounted for at the time of application. Similarly if applying for staff costs all salary increases should be accounted for at the time of application.
Application Deadline: 28 February 2019, at 23:59 GMT/UK time.  Award Date: By 31 May 2019.
Declaration / Co-Funding: The BSAC does not currently offer co-funding of grants. When applying for any BSAC grant, all applicants must declare if they have sought, or if they intend to seek, any financial support outside of the BSAC for the same grant. The BSAC must be informed of any grant awarded outside of BSAC funding and the application withdrawn immediately.
All grant support received in the last 5 years must be declared for all applicants who are named on the application form, this must include the total amount of funding received for each grant listed and noted in GBP / UK £ currency.
Reviewer Feedback To Grant Applicants: The BSAC only offers feedback for those applications that are peer-reviewed by external reviewers (Research, Education & PhD Studentship applications), and only if applicants specifically request this.
The BSAC Grants Terms & Conditions: The Terms and Conditions for all BSAC Grants and Scholarships are published on the BSAC website at: BSAC T&Cs/SOPS.  The applicant and host institute is required to read the terms and conditions before completing any application form. Applicants are required to submit a signed copy of the BSAC Terms and Conditions form, submitting this with their application form.
Written Reports: Final reports must be submitted by principal applicants the BSAC using the report form at the top of this page.
Applicants who have completed any report(s) relating to this grant for their Institute can include this with the completed BSAC report form. All reports should be sent via email to: grants@bsac.org.uk
Reports should include the following information based on your project:

• A summary of the aims and objectives of the project:
  • broad findings or conclusions (maximum 2x A4 pages)
• Any publications arising from the project:
  • a list of any publications arising from the research carried out (as a result of BSAC funds received)
  • include details of any articles which have been accepted, or are planned for publication within the next 24 months as a result of BSAC funds received (please provide any definite or provisional publication dates)
• Any other outputs arising from the project:
  • give details of any other way in which the results of the research has been or will be disseminated i.e. oral and / or poster presentations at conferences
  • give details if the research has led to any additional funding from alternative funding bodies, or if you plan to seek additional funding in the future as a result of BSAC funding received (please provide details of the funding scheme / organisation etc.)
  • give details if any new research tools or methods have been developed, or if you plan to develop any new research tools or methods in the future as a result of BSAC funding received (please provide details of the tool / method with a brief description about this)
  • give details if any commercialisation of IP arising is anticipated as a result of BSAC funding received, either now or in the future
• A brief evaluation of the strengths and weakness of the research
• A summary of the actual costs compared to the estimated expenditure in your submitted grant application

Remaining Funds:
Any remaining funds in hand must either be returned to the Society immediately or if you wish to continue to draw on these funds for a limited period after the end of the award (no cost extension applies), you should write with details of when and how the money will be used.
Payment / Claiming Funds: Payment will be made directly to the host institution, who will administer the grant on behalf of the lead applicant. Payment is made upon receipt of an official invoice from the Secretary/Finance Officer of the Institution where the applicant is based. Funds can be claimed in advance or in arrears on a quarterly basis. Please contact Debbie Irwin at dirwin@bsac.org.uk for any payment enquiries.
Correspondence: All correspondence, including submission of the final report, should be sent via email to: grants@bsac.org.uk