Inequalities Funding Scheme

The Breast Cancer Now Inequalities Funding Scheme aims to support scientific excellence and innovative research addressing inequalities that are experienced in breast cancer.

The NHS defines health inequalities as follows:

Health inequalities are unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population, and between different groups within society. Health inequalities arise because of the conditions in which we are born, grow, live, work and age. These conditions influence our opportunities for good health, and how we think, feel and act, and this shapes our mental health, physical health and wellbeing.

It is the expectation that projects aim to ensure that everyone receives the best outcomes possible regardless of their background. The areas that are in scope include but are not limited to the following:

• The biological, genetic or epigenetic causes and mechanisms of inequalities in the risks of breast cancer, and its development, spread and response to treatment.
• Whether and why those genetic and epigenetic differences between groups lead to inequalities in outcomes.
• Development and use of research models that better reflect breast cancer in communities affected by inequalities, for instance xenograft models derived from patients from a greater diversity of ethnic backgrounds.
• Observational trials or analysis of existing data sets to understand more about the patterns, extent and causes of inequalities.
• Understanding and addressing the differences between communities in adopting healthy behaviours, raising awareness, undertaking risk reducing activities, or accessing screening.
• Development, testing and evaluation of initiatives to address inequalities, including projects to increase the involvement and participation of those from affected communities and under-represented groups in research.
• Promoting breast cancer support services.

It is expected that all applications demonstrate close and extensive involvement of the group being researched in the design, delivery and dissemination of the research.

Furthermore:

• Projects can be up to 36 months.
• Grants are available up to a maximum value of £150,000 and will cover staff salary, research expenses and essential equipment. We are flexible in how this amount is distributed across the project’s active years. Costs requested must not exceed this cap.
• All applications must demonstrate good value for money.

 We will not support:

• Infrastructure, such as setting up or maintaining research units.
• Service developments, unless they have wider generalizability. Note: the costs of any new service would not be funded.
• Audits or surveys (although these elements may be part of an integrated research study).
• Market research.
• Policy development that does not involve new data collection or analysis.
• Direct support (such as financial support) to those affected by breast cancer inequalities.

Applicants should read our research grant conditions and research policies before completing the application. Applicants must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Grants are available to researchers working in an institution in the UK or Ireland.
• Applicants should have conducted independent research in the field of breast cancer or be an experienced researcher in a related field and should wish to build on their history and reputation in the breast cancer area, deepening their knowledge and experience.
• Collaborative applications from within the UK and Ireland are welcome, although the contracted grant (and associated funding arrangements) will be with the Lead Applicant's institution. Named academic/clinical Co-Applicants and Collaborators are permitted from outside the UK and Ireland.
• If researchers require a visa to work in the UK, they may qualify for the accelerated Global Talent Visa route. This is open for promising and talented individuals in specific sectors wishing to work in the UK.
• Lead Applicants should hold employment or honorary (if a clinical academic) contracts that extend beyond the period of the grant.
• Lead Applicants with a fixed-term position may apply, but they cannot request costs for their salary. They must include a letter from the Head of Department to indicate that their salary will be covered for the duration of the project.
• Applicants may be new to breast cancer research, but the proposed team must include people with relevant breast cancer expertise.
• Lead Applicants may not apply for more than one grant as Lead Applicant but may apply as a Co-Applicant or Collaborator on more than one application.
• Applicants may have spent time away from research (e.g. a career break, maternity leave, long-term sick leave). Our reviewers will allow for this when the application is considered.
• Co-Applicants and Collaborators may be based at institutions outside the UK/Ireland and/or at pharmaceutical or biotech companies.
• We will consider applications for research that will take place within the NHS. Should the research become part of a clinical trial, we will fund the research but will not act as a sponsor.
• We are committed to supporting young investigators in breast cancer research and encourage applications from talented new postdoctoral researchers.
• Applications for PhD students are also welcome. Please see additional guidance below:
  • PhD funds can be requested between 36 and 48 months (three or four-year studentships) and can cover student stipend, student fees, college fees (where applicable), research expenses and essential equipment.
  • The total amount requested must not exceed £150,000.
  • Applicants should have a track record of identifying and maximising potential in others (e.g. through managing and mentoring their own staff and early career researchers, as primary supervisor of PhD students)
  • The Primary PhD supervisor will be required to provide the following information with the application:
  • Details of a second supervisor who will take the place should the main applicant/supervisor be absent.
  • List of current and past students. Including names, positions, start date and funding body. For past students, how many achieved their degree.
  • Information about any planned sabbaticals and who will supervise the student in your absence.
  • Training environment, including details about the training offered specific to this project and general research training offered by the host institution.
  • Suitability of the project for the student.
  • Institution - including what the institution provides (in terms of supervision and assessment) and expects (such as attendance of lectures) from its PhD students.

The following will not be accepted:

• Applications from a commercial entity.
• Research proposals into conditions other than breast cancer.
• Applications for equipment only. We will accept requests for small pieces of equipment (up to £5000) as part of proposals, but a clear justification must be included for this request.
• Applications which request funding for consumables or running costs only.
• Applications from an individual who is NOT employed by an eligible institution, i.e. a university or research institute.
• Requests to cover salary costs of tenured Lead Applicants and/or Co-Applicants. We will allow costs to cover the salary of a named post-doctorate researcher who is a listed Co-Applicant on the application, as long as they don’t have their salary covered by other sources.
• Applications for methods or service development.
• Projects part-funded with other funders.

If you are unsure about the eligibility and remit of your project, please contact the Research Funding team at grants_admin@breastcancernow.org before you submit your application. Once the deadline has passed there will be no opportunity to consider individual circumstances and applications not meeting the requirements will be rejected without peer review.

Applications should be made using our online Grant Tracker system. You must complete all sections of the application form. The Lead Applicant, Co-Applicants, the Head of Department and the University or Institution Research Grants office (or finance office if not applicable) must complete the declarations at the end of the application form in order to submit your application. Co-Applicants must confirm their involvement and provide a full CV online. Each Collaborator must confirm their involvement in the project online and provide a letter detailing their role in the project.

If you have any queries about filling in this application form, please contact the Research Funding Team at grants_admin@breastcancernow.org.

Please read our Full Inequalities Funding Scheme Guidelines before applying.

Apply now

Our Inequalities Committee will assess your application based on importance and relevance of the research question, originality, methodology, preliminary data, justification for animal use and severity of procedures, and applicant track record.

We use a preliminary screening step in our review process. The Inequalities Committee members carry out an initial review of all the applications and identify those they think will not be competitive. These applications will not be sent out for external peer review and will not be considered for funding.

If we are not going to take your application any further, we will let you know within 12 weeks of the application deadline, and we will send you feedback from the Inequalities Committee.

Please see Our Funding Processes section for more information.

Please visit our research projects section for recent projects awarded.

View research grants success rates.

Read our Full Inequalities Funding Scheme Guidelines

The Inequalities Committee will be Chaired by Professor Nora Pashayan, University College London

If you are unsure about the eligibility and remit of your project, please contact the Research Funding team at grants_admin@breastcancernow.org before you submit your application. Once the deadline has passed there will be no opportunity to consider individual circumstances and applications not meeting the requirements will be rejected without peer review.

Try our Frequently asked questions.