Grant application and expert review process
All applications and expert reviews are made through our online grants management system.
Use our online system to create or view an application:
Tips and advice for making an application
Accessing the grant management system
Register for an account on our grant management system and follow the instructions to create a password.
If you hold or have held a grant with us:
Flexigrant will recognise your email and send you a reset password email.
Please note; it will not automatically update to the password just created, you will need to reset via the email you receive.
New applicants:
You will receive an email to validate your account which can be accessed via the password you just created.
Check your spam folders if you do not receive password reset or validation emails within a couple of hours.
We only accept applications submitted via our grants management system.
Helpful application tips
- Applicants are reminded that Kidney Research UK's wishes to support research applications that support our Research Strategy to 2030.
- Clear and succinct preparation will be helpful to our expert panels and expert reviewers. Our panel are drawn from a diverse range of specialists including; academic researchers, clinicians, data scientists, and allied health professionals, from across a range of research disciplines alongside patients (experts by experience).
- Attention to avoiding excessive jargon language is important
- Your background description should make clear the extent of the data supporting the feasibility of your planned research and make reference to relevant published work or provide unpublished data.
- We offer start-up grants to develop new ideas where justification to support your hypothesis may be limited or non-existent.
- Read our regulations and conditions document for applicants and recipients.
Applying for a clinical study in an NHS setting:
- Read the guide to excess treatment costs and the schedule of events cost attribution template
- Allow time to complete a SoECAT and then upload the funder pdf export from your online SoECAT as part of your online application submission.
Research data and samples
Important information about access and deposition of research data and samples
- Read our policy on data deposition
- Check if the NURTuRE biobank is a resource that should be used to support your research
If you any questions reach out to us before you apply so we can help you email: research@kidneyresearchuk.org
Information about the expert review process
All applications will undergo expert review, involving a diverse range of experts from our college of experts, including academic researchers, clinicians, data scientists, and allied health professionals, across a range of research disciplines. Scientific panels formed from our college review all research proposals we receive helping to ensure we support the highest quality research. Our college includes patients (experts by experience) who are involved in all our decision making helping us to ensure we support research that is relevant to patients’ needs.
We operate our college in accordance with the Association of Medical Charities (AMRC) principles of expert review.
Expert Reviews will be submitted via our online grants management system.
Applicants are welcome to suggest potential independent expert reviewers, especially those based outside the UK. However, the charity cannot guarantee that any particular individual will be approached. Nominated reviewers must not have any formal connection with the applicant’s current, planned, or recently completed research programmes or with their host institution.
Applicants will have an opportunity to respond to expert reviewer comments during the rebuttal stage, which occurs before the panel meeting and any funding decisions are made.
Conflicts of interest are managed rigorously throughout the expert review process. Any college member with a conflict of interest will be either recused from that grant round expert review process and panel membership or recused from the expert review and discussion of the application(s) leaving the meeting while those application(s) are being discussed.
Applications will be assessed competitively based on scientific quality and the importance to patients.
A funding recommendation will be made following completion of the expert review process and will be endorsed by the Executive Group. All funding decisions are final. Once decisions have been finalised, applicants will be notified of the outcome.
The outcome from each grant round will be publicly available after each round has been completed. Where possible, we provide all applicants with verbatim feedback from the expert review panel, regardless of the funding outcome.
Patient insights sessions
As part of our grant application process, applications are reviewed by patients from our Experts by Experience Committee and applicants are expected to give a short presentation to the Committee. If you would like to meet patients earlier in your application process, you can take part in a Patient Insights Session.
Our patient insights sessions give researchers the opportunity to meet patients online to discuss research ideas, test assumptions, and gain valuable patient feedback at an early stage.
These sessions allow you to speak directly with people affected by kidney disease to help strengthen your proposal, improve relevance, and demonstrate meaningful patient involvement in your application.
Places are limited and offered on a first come, first served basis.
To find out more or request a session, please contact patients@kidneyresearchuk.org
Got a question? Get in touch.
For advice and or any help please contact a member of our research operations team: