£1m Grant Scheme to Support Research at GOSH

Leading UK medical research charity LifeArc and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity (GOSH Charity) have launched a new joint funding scheme: ‘Translational Research Accelerator Grants’ open primarily to research active health professionals at GOSH. Much of the research performed at GOSH and its dedicated research partner, the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health (ICH) is focused on understanding rare diseases that affect children. This new grant scheme will support researchers to translate their findings into practical benefits for patients by delivering new therapeutics or diagnostics.

A total fund of £1m is available and is expected to support several grants, each lasting up to three years. Collaborations with industry and other academic partners will also be encouraged. Funded projects will address a rare disease medical need, have a strong scientific rationale, credible delivery plan and have the potential to deliver clinical impact for the patient population at GOSH. Workshops will also run to provide further information and to assist candidates with their applications.

Welcoming the scheme Dr Catriona Crombie, Philanthropic Fund manager, LifeArc, said; “LifeArc’s main goal is to move innovative life science research further along its development path towards the patients who so desperately need effective treatments. LifeArc’s philanthropic activity has a particular focus on rare diseases. GOSH, with its unique patient population, wealth of expertise and aligned goals, is our ideal partner for this project.”

Speaking about the partnership, Dr Kiki Syrad, Director of Grants and Impact at GOSH Charity has said; “Helping to find new ways of diagnosing, treating and curing rare childhood diseases is something GOSH Charity is committed to. We’re delighted to be able to partner with an organisation like LifeArc, whose goals so closely mirror our own.This exciting joint endeavour will enable us to drive more vital research towards the clinic and the children who need it most.”