Grants Guidelines for Applicants


Initial applications should contain sufficient information for the Scientific Advisers to be able to comment, and should include a lay summary for the Trustees' first appraisal. This lay summary is important, as the majority of the Trustees do not have a medical or scientific background, and this summary will help them to decide between the different applications under consideration. The Trustees meet twice each year, in the spring and in the autumn. The next Meeting will be in May 2012 and applications should therefore be sent to the Director by 20th March 2012 so that a full assessment can be obtained from external assessors before the Meeting. However, applicants can submit a single sheet lay summary at any time during the year, so that advice can be given on whether the work is likely to fall within the remit of the Foundation, prior to working on a full application. Please bear in mind that the Trustees are particularly keen to fund research that is likely to make a difference to legislation or working practices.

The Foundation does not have application forms. Please read the following guidelines carefully and ensure that these points are covered when preparing your application.
    1. What is the work you would like to do?

    2. Why does the work need doing?

    3. Who is doing or has done similar work, and how will your work add to it?

    4. How do you intend to carry out the work, and why do you think this is the right approach?

    5. What resources will you need to do the work, and are these resources available?

    6. Who will do the work, and how much time will each of the people involved devote to it?

    7. How long will the work take?

    8. How much money do you need to complete the work?

    9. When do you plan to start?

As a charity, the Colt Foundation will only pay the Directly Incurred Costs of a project, together with some categories of necessary Directly Attributable Costs. Universities are reimbursed by HEFCE for the majority of Directly Attributable and Indirect Costs.

In addition to funding, the Foundation takes a continuing interest in its research projects and holds annual review meetings. Grants are not made to the general funds of other charities, or directly to individuals, or to projects based outside the UK. Details of recent projects supported are shown on the website under 'Projects'.


Students

The Foundation also makes grants to students taking higher degrees in subjects related to occupational and environmental health through selected universities and colleges. More than 85 students have been supported since the inception of the Foundation in 1978, and grants to students account for over one-quarter of the Foundation's annual grants.


Colt Foundation Fellowships in Occupational/Environmental Health

The Foundation awards fellowships each year to persons carrying out research within the area of occupational and environmental health. The research is expected to lead to a PhD degree. Further details are shown on the website under 'Students'.