There are a number of different grants available to OAA members. This includes Large Research Grants of up to £60,000, Quality Improvement and Innovation Grants of up to £20,000, and Small Research Grants of £5,000. Here are some tips on submitting a project application for grant funding from the OAA.
We all have light-bulb moments from time to time in which we think of a clever idea for a project. We talk to colleagues about it and if the feedback is positive we might decide to take things further. At this stage it is useful to formulate a question that needs to be answered. The next step is to check the literature and see what is already known about the subject to be investigated.
If there is a clear gap in our knowledge which the project might help to fill and you are keen to pursue the idea, it's prudent to talk to somebody with experience in setting up and running projects. If you've not led a project before, their advice will be invaluable and will save you a great deal of time. With their help, you need to draw up a protocol and perhaps run a short pilot to identify potential problems.
Seeking financial support
At this stage, you might identify the need for funding and you should estimate how much money is required. For smaller projects, funding from your department or a local charity may be available. For larger undertakings, however, external support is often necessary and this is where the OAA might be able to assist.
The most important piece of advice when considering whether to apply for an OAA grant (or any other grant) is to seek help from somebody within your department or deanery who has experience with grant applications. Without experienced help, the chance of a successful application is much reduced.
Criteria to meet for an OAA grant
The OAA has instructions on applications on our website, but there are a few key points that need to be emphasised. Firstly, the project must be of direct relevance to obstetric anaesthesia. It should have some original features and provide some new information. Be realistic in what you can achieve and don't try to do too much to make your project appear more worthy by including impractical aims that are unlikely to be achieved.
When completing an application form, be sure to provide sufficient detail on exactly what you plan to do. State whether peer review has been sought and, where appropriate, if ethics approval has been gained. You should state your primary and secondary outcomes, the numbers to be recruited, and who is to be included and excluded. You should also state what analysis is to be performed on your data.
A vital aspect of any grant application is the projected costings. Please ensure that these are accurate and never guess how much something may cost. Do include the possibility of funding from other sources as this is unlikely to negatively impact your chance of success. As in all things, honesty is the best policy.
Apply well ahead of the deadline
It is incredible how many people submit applications just before the deadline. This approach is not to be encouraged as invariably it leads to a poor-quality application. Spelling and grammatical mistakes give the impression that the applicant is sloppy and likely to conduct the project with same lack of precision. So, make sure that you complete the form in plenty of time and that the application has been read and approved by all applicants.
The OAA runs two rounds of grants each year: one in April, the other in September. All our grant applications are reviewed by members of the OAA Research and Grants Subcommittee before a final decision is reached. We aim to announce our decision on funding and provide feedback to applicants within one month of the deadline.
If you are interested in applying for an OAA grant, more information is available on our Grants and Bursaries page.
