Apply for funding

Target Ovarian Cancer is excited to announce that new funding is available for translational research projects that aim to improve treatment and outcomes for low-grade serous ovarian cancer. Applications are invited for submission by midnight on 8 September 2024.

Low-grade serous ovarian cancer is less common than the high-grade form, but still affects around 700 women each year in the UK. Since it is less common, less research has been carried out on this type of ovarian cancer. This means that fewer treatment options exist and therefore there is an urgent need to develop new approaches.  

We're extremely grateful to our generous funders who have enabled us to target this important area of research, and with this new investment we aim to accelerate progress to new, better treatments for women affected by low-grade serous ovarian cancer.  

The maximum funds available to be awarded is £200,000. Projects of any length up to three years will be considered, and funding could be awarded across multiple projects.

Projects can be based anywhere in the UK, must focus on low-grade serous ovarian cancer, and meet the criteria below. We're keen to hear from research teams who may have brilliant ideas for taking forward research in this area. If you are not sure whether or not apply please email Helen Dickens, Deputy Chief Executive, for a confidential conversation.

What we're looking for

We're looking for projects that have the potential to develop more effective, less toxic treatments – and improve survival – for women with low-grade serous ovarian cancer. These awards are not designed for basic or early discovery studies.

Many important challenges need to be overcome to improve treatments for women with low-grade serous ovarian cancer. Some examples are provided below. However, we will consider support for any research of relevance to optimising or developing new treatments.

• Identify new drug targets, targeted treatments, or new approaches to the treatment of low-grade serous ovarian cancer  
• Understand why low-grade tumours develop resistance to therapies, developing strategies to prevent and overcome resistance
• Develop new immunologic approaches to treating low-grade serous ovarian cancer
• Understand the effectiveness of existing drugs or drug combinations for low-grade serous ovarian cancer  
• Develop robust surgical trials to validate new technologies and optimise treatments.

For further information about our priorities, read our research strategy.

Eligibility

• The principal investigator must be from a UK University, Hospital, Clinical Trials Unit or a Research Institute affiliated to one of these organisations.
• The principal investigator must be resident in the UK, and the project and employment must also take place in the UK.
• We particularly encourage applications from early career researchers, who may apply with a more senior co-applicant from the same institution who holds a permanent position. Both applicants must already hold salaried positions covering the duration of the project. The role of the senior co-applicant – in relation to the project – should be explained.
• The award cannot be used to fund principal or co-investigator salaries.
• The award cannot be used to fund a PhD student.
• This award can be used for projects with or without associated salary costs.
• This award can be used for joint funding larger projects providing our standard conditions of grant are not breached. However, this award can only cover costs specifically relating to research into low-grade serous ovarian cancer.
• Applications will be judged on scientific merit and compliance with these criteria and our published research strategy.

What we offer

• The maximum period of support is 36 months.
• The maximum value of this grant round is £200,000, which could be allocated to one project or distributed among more than one project.
• Payment will be quarterly, in arrears.
• No variation (virement) between budget headings is allowed without Target Ovarian Cancer's approval.
• This award is not intended for major equipment and no equipment over £5,000 will be funded. 

Timetable

If you have applied to Target Ovarian Cancer for funding before, please note that our grant application process has changed. Full applications are now invited in the first submission. These will be assessed by our Scientific Advisory Board expert and lay reviewers to make recommendation(s) for funding to Target Ovarian Cancer’s Board of Trustees.  

Further details

• We require the project to start within three months of the proposed start date. Please be realistic with your start date (allow time for ethics, recruitment etc).
• 10% of the grant value will be withheld until both end of grant research and finance reports are received by Target Ovarian Cancer.
• We require research updates every six months, detailing progress against research milestones outlined in the original application.

How to apply

Before you fill in the project proposal form, please complete our application checklist:

• Read our research strategy  
• Ensure your proposal meets our eligibility criteria and standard conditions of grant 
• Understand our review process
• Follow the guidance notes as you complete your project proposal
• Download the application form

Please send completed project application forms to Helen Dickens, Deputy Chief Executive, at [email protected] by midnight on 8 September 2024.