Funding strategy

Each year, the Brain Research Trust supports the Institute of Neurology (IoN) by awarding grants for PhD studentships and by funding equipment and research, totalling at least £1.5 million.

To ensure that only the best research projects receive funding from the Brain Research Trust, scientists at the IoN must submit a grant application, which is then ‘peer-reviewed’ by our Scientific Advisory Panel (SAP).

The SAP comprises the vast experience and knowledge of five neuroscientists: Professor Julian Jack, Professor Angela Vincent, Professor Patrick Chinnery, Professor James Fawcett and Professor Nick Rawlins.

Peer review, which is the process by which scientists evaluate the work of other scientists, is also a requirement the Brain Research Trust must meet as part of our membership of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC), a membership organisation of the leading UK health and medical charities.

Grant applications submitted annually to the Brain Research Trust are reviewed by the SAP. Each project is evaluated and ranked in order of scientific merit by the Panel. Then, depending partly on the amount of funding available, the top ranked projects are selected to receive grants.

The Brain Research Trust also consults with the SAP to assist with choosing three to four promising students for its annual Prize PhD Studentships. Students from all over the world are encouraged to apply. Their applications are assessed by the SAP, which chooses the best from a very talented pool of young scientists. These PhD students greatly complement the research efforts at the Institute.