Seed Grants (SGs) are intended as start-up funds for preliminary research to allow the development of innovative ideas, new methodologies and new research tools relevant to our Research Themes. This will allow researchers to collect preliminary data or test study parameters to take them to a stage where an application for an IIG would be appropriate. Seed grants could also study behavioural change in both cancer prevention and cancer survivors areas.

There are two types of Seed Grants:

• Pilot Grants (generate preliminary data to develop a future, bigger project)
• Feasibility Grants (to test if the proposed process works).

Applicants need to choose which grant type they are applying for and be clear and explicit regarding the purpose of the research study, in particular what specific aspects are being studied (eg feasibility, preliminary data for power calculations, the development of new methodologies, development

of research tools, behavioural change, etc), as well  as what the next expected research steps would be after completion of the grant. These grants are for  a maximum of £60,000 in total for up to two years.

The Research Principles, Areas and Themes define the scientific scope of the World Cancer Research Fund International Regular Grant Programme. Applications must address the role of diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity in either Cancer Prevention or Cancer Survivors.

Applications should fall into either of the two Research Themes of Biological Mechanisms or Host Factors, or an additional third Theme for studying Evidence for Impact in Cancer Survivors

Research Principles

Applications must adhere to all Research Principles (listed below) to be considered for review. Applications that do not align with these Research Principles will not be accepted.

- Relevant Exposures

- Cancer-related outcomes

- Relevance to human cancer

- Appropiate study design

- Novelty

- Imapct

Applications to the Regular Grant Programme must fall into either the Cancer Prevention or the Cancer Survivors Research Area. For the Cancer Prevention Research Area, we accept research into the links relating diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity to the causation or primary prevention of cancer. The Cancer Survivors Research Area focuses on  individuals  who  have received a cancer diagnosis. Applications under each of the Research Areas should address one of the Research Themes.

Grant Budgets

Budgets should  cover  the  costs  of  such items as salaries for personnel (excluding the Principal Investigator), research equipment, Open Access publication fees, supplies and travel to conferences/ meetings.

Budgets must be submitted in pounds sterling (GBP) only.

The Lead Applicant must be the Principal Investigator who will lead the research and be responsible for delivering the project.

The Principal Investigator must  hold  a  senior established research position (not a PhD student) at the host institution.

Only one application per Principal Investigator per grant cycle is permitted. Only one person can act as the Principal Investigator, though an applicant can be a Principal Investigator for one application and a co-applicant in one or more other applications (up to a maximum of four).

The Principal Investigator's salary cannot be covered by the grant, wholly or partly. The grant may cover the salary or stipend of personnel (other than the Principal Investigator) involved in the project, including the stipend or salary of PhD students.

If a PhD student is to be included in a research grant project, the following criteria must be met:

• The host institution must be responsible for the progress and training of the PhD student and must ensure adequate supervision and assessment of the student's progress and the research training provided.
• The PhD student should be spending 100 per cent of their time on the WCRF funded project, on a full-time or part-time basis.

In case of interest, please contact with FSJD Research Department.