2025 Early Career Grants Application Now Open: Up to £5,000 Research Funding (Applicants can be of any nationality and based anywhere in the world)

The RSTMH (Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene) Early Career Grants Programme provides awards of up to £5,000 for those who have not had equivalent research funding in their own name before. Applicants can be of any nationality and based anywhere in the world.

Purpose of Early Career Grants

To enable early Career researcher and global health professionals in the field of tropical medicine or global health to undertake clinical or scientific research and/or fieldwork, either as stand-alone projects or distinct elements within a larger project.

Thematic scope

Applications can be on any area of tropical medicine or global health including infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases, neglected tropical diseases and external factors that affect global health.

The programme funds projects across the research spectrum, including lab-based, clinical, translation, implementation, and policy-related research, either as stand-alone projects or distinct elements within a larger project. The Early Career Grants also fund research projects linked to PhDs, but do not fund tuition fees for PhD or MSc degrees.

The Early Career Grants will not fund projects that use only secondary data.

Early Career Grant value and timeline

The maximum RSTMH Early Career Grant award is GBP £5,000 including any relevant tax on purchases.

One or more awardees may be funded or part-funded by The Denis Burkitt Fellowship Fund. If this is the case, RSTMH may ask the awardee to participate in separate award activities.

The project should start between September and December 2025 after the planned payment phase. Please note this may change if RSTMH receives a very high number of applications. If an applicant’s project has a strict timeframe, they should let RSTMH know that when they submit their application. The project should be completed within a year of it being started. Please note that Early Career Grants cannot be used for retrospective projects (projects which have already started or been completed).  The applicant should indicate on the application form if they expect the project to finish after this time.

The key dates for the programme are below. If an applicant is not able to deliver their project or report to these timings, then they should consider whether they should apply this year. If an applicant is awarded but unable to complete their project within the timeframe, RSTMH may ask for a refund of the grant money.

These timings may vary depending on the number of applications received. Adequate notice of any changes shall be advertised on the RSTMH website.

Required Documents & Helpful Resources:

• Terms and Conditions
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Benefactor Instructions
• Budget Guidance
• Reference Guidance

Application Form Sections:

The application consists of 7 sections that need to be filled out, and detailed help text is provided for each section. Below is a summary of the sections and the type of information requested:

1. Applicant Details
   Provide key information, such as your name, contact details, job title, and RSTMH membership status.
2. Employment and Experience
   Include information about your current employer and past job history.
3. Qualifications, Awards, and Publications
   Detail your academic qualifications and any awards or publications that demonstrate your status as an early career researcher.
4. Project Information
   Outline your proposed project, including the title, location, timing, and a detailed project statement. Be sure to address how your project integrates community involvement, gender equality, and environmental considerations.
5. Project Costs
   Provide a project budget, list other funding sources, and describe how the grant will impact your career.

1. Referees
   Supply contact details for two referees: your supervisor and a senior member of your employing organization. Upload PDF copies of their reference letters.
2. Confirmations
   Confirm that you understand the project’s Terms and Conditions and verify the accuracy of your submitted information.

Submission Information:

• Save Your Progress: You can save your application and return to it at any time before the deadline.

• No Edits After Submission: Once submitted, your application cannot be edited. If any corrections are needed, you must withdraw your application and start a new one.

For additional guidance on the application process, please visit the Benefactor Guidance Page.

Application Deadline Reminder: All applications must be submitted by Wednesday, 14 May 2025, 12PM BST.

Best of luck with your application and look forward to your contribution to global health research.

Start Your Application