Research Project and Start-up Grants

Research Project and Start-up Grants

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Kids Kidney Research
Amount: £40,000 - £250,000
Last Updated: March 21, 2026

Summary

The Research Project and Start-up Grants, offered by Kids Kidney Research, invite proposals that align with three key research priorities: transforming treatments, addressing multiple health conditions, and promoting health equalities in kidney disease. The grants support innovative standalone research and initial investigations lacking prior studies. Funding can reach up to £250,000 for project grants and £40,000 for start-up grants, fostering advancements in kidney health and improving quality of life for patients.

Overview

NOTE: The first phase will be a shorter expression of interest. Those shortlisted will be invited to complete a more detailed full application. Research project and start-up grants We are the largest kidney research charity dedicated to kidney research in the UK. Our Research Strategy to 2030 outlines our three strategic priorities and what we want to achieve through research in the next ten years or sooner. Does your proposal align to our research priorities? We are looking for research proposals aligned to one of our three immediate research priorities, and we intend to make at least one award in each area. Within your application, we will ask how your proposal aligns with these. Transforming treatments We will find ways to make kidney transplants last longer, dialysis more tolerable, reduce the burden of treatment and monitoring, and improve quality of life for people living with kidney disease. We will harness and develop technology to enable people to take control of their kidney health. Multiple health conditions We will investigate how kidney disease is linked to other conditions that people commonly experience at the same time, including heart disease, diabetes and mental health problems. Health equalities We will highlight the inequalities of kidney disease; we will investigate why some groups of people are more at risk of kidney disease, and progress to kidney failure much faster. We will press for greater diversity in kidney research, so that discoveries benefit everyone. Types of grants available Research project grants For innovative standalone research projects that will advance our knowledge of kidney disease and refine current treatments or lead to new ones. Funding available: up to £250k Funding period: three years maximum Start-up grants For investigating new hypotheses around the kidney that lack any significant existing research prior to a full research project. Funding available: up to £40k Funding period: over two years maximum

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. We are pleased to invite expressions of interest from teams or individuals whose proposals directly address our immediate research priorities, and who seek initial or further support to establish their research career.All applicants must be resident in the United Kingdom and the research must take place in a UK establishment.

Ineligibility

Expression of interest applications will not be eligible for submission where;the lead applicant already holds three or more concurrent active Kidney Research UK awards, excluding PhD Studentships and Start-up awards. the application from the lead applicant would be within twelve months following the submission date of a previous Expression of Interest for that grant type. The lead applicant has already made a submission of that grant type Expression of Interest application in any twelve-month period.