If you are a health care professional and have always wanted to do research but simply haven’t got the time – then the Research Award may be just what you are looking for.
The National Obesity Forum in partnership with
Weight Watchers offers a small grant to help support research in obesity management. This Grant is a new initiative and allows practitioners a little ‘protected’ time to get their teeth into some research. The Award is worth £8,000, and whoever wins the Award also gets the support of a research mentor.
What is the Award?
If you are a health care professional and have always wanted to do research but simply haven’t got the time – then the Research Award may be just what you are looking for.
The National Obesity Forum in partnership with Weight Watchers offers a small grant to help support research in obesity management. This Grant is a new initiative and allows practitioners a little ‘protected’ time to get their teeth into some research. The Award is worth £8,000, and whoever wins the Award also gets the support of a research mentor.
What does the mentor do?
The mentor is an experienced researcher who will support the successful applicant through the whole research process from start to finish. The mentor will:
Help the applicant think through the study design,
Help refine the research questions and rationalise the chosen methodology,
Provide practical advice on applying for ethical approval, planning fieldwork, analysing results and writing up,
Be a sounding board when problems emerge along the way
“This Grant is an exciting opportunity – someone out there might have a bright idea but simply hasn’t got the time to put it to the test. This Grant provides the means to buy some ‘protected’ time to team up with an experienced researcher and get cracking on a good quality study and get a publication out of it.”
Dr Colin Waine, Chair of the National Obesity Forum
Who can apply?
Any health care professional with day to day contact with patients can apply. The only stipulation is that the proposed research should relate to weight management or weight maintenance. Prevention of obesity is beyond the scope of this award.
Research methods can be qualitative and/or quantitative and the successful applicant will be encouraged to share their findings through publication of a paper in a peer reviewed journal.
How can I apply?
Simply
download the application form (Microsoft Word Document), complete it and email to Anna at the NOF
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If you would like to discuss your research idea before completing the proposal form then you can contact the NOF using the email address above and Maria will put you in touch with a member of the Steering Group. They will be able to give you early guidance on the suitability of your ideas and its potential for support.
What are the steering group looking for?
In evaluating applications the steering group will be looking for the following:
A study which is:
- realistic and achievable
- original and innovative
- relevant to the brief
- suitable for publication in a peer reviewed journal
- submitted by a clinician/practitioner
- supported by your employing organisation
- feasible to be applied to practice
When will the successful applicant hear?
All applications will be evaluated by the Steering Group, which includes representatives from the NOF and Weight Watchers. All members of this group have a track record in research. The successful applicant will be announced in mid-June 2008 and this is followed by an initial meeting with the research mentor to plan any ethical approval process and draw up a detailed timetable of activity to deliver the research.
When is the deadline for applications?
Applications must be received by 30th May 2008.
Complete the application form (Downloadable Microsoft Word Document) and go for it!!
