Apply for research funding

PTEN Research funds research that will lead to new and better treatments and improved outcomes for PHTS, in line with our research strategy.

What do we fund?

We fund clinical, pre-clinical and basic research projects that can translate into better treatments and improved outcomes for PHTS patients. Funding is intended to support all essential direct costs relating to the project, including staffing, consumables, equipment, travel, and publication costs. (See our Guidance on Grant Costs here).

Who do we fund?

  • Eligibility to apply for funding is not restricted to any specific geography.
  • In general, PTEN Research provides grants to Principal Investigators who have qualified with an MD or PhD and have an established research programme in a recognised academic or clinical research institution. 
  • Non-academic entities may also be eligible to apply for grant funding, depending on the grant call.
  • For any further clarification or questions relating to our eligibility criteria, please contact research@ptenresearch.org.
  • UK based researchers may benefit from support from the NIHR Clinical Research Network as PTEN Research is a NIHR non-commercial partner

How do we fund?

We provide grants through two main mechanisms:

  • Targeted Calls
    The Foundation will periodically request applications for proposals to address specific research questions through Targeted Calls. Information on current opportunities and how to apply is provided here.
  • Innovation Awards
    If you have an idea or project that aligns with the Foundation’s strategic research focus but is not within the scope of current Targeted Calls, you can apply for funding as follows:

What is our granting philosophy?

Prior to the initiation of a grant application, we want to highlight to Principal Investigators, and the contract management and technical transfer offices of the Host Institution, some critical conditions of the Foundation supporting a grant.

These include, but are not limited, to:

  • Choice of law: Our granting terms and conditions are always governed by the law of England and Wales.
  • Publication: We require that all work supported by our grant funding is published, even if the objectives of the grant are not fully met. We routinely require that manuscripts are shared with the Foundation prior to publication.
  • Currency: We provide grants in the Host Institution's local currency.
  • Data sharing: We support data sharing, which will include data generated from the Foundation’s granting activity. Subject to applicable data privacy legislation, such data will include data underpinning any publication or presentation of data that the Foundation expects to be made available, in an accessible form, to other researchers no later than at the time of the primary publication. Further, the Foundation reserves the right to request a copy of the grant data at the end of a grant.
  • Protection of intellectual property and sharing of revenue: Intellectual property that is generated from granted work should routinely be protected for the mutual benefit of the Host Institution and the Foundation. The Foundation wishes to have the right to utilise such intellectual property to continue to support its charitable mission to support research into PHTS. If revenue is generated through commercialisation of intellectual property resulting from the Foundation's granting activity, it is expected that this revenue is shared equitably between the Host Institution and the Foundation. The Foundation will utilise such revenues to further its charitable objectives.
  • Monitoring and evaluation: We work closely with the Principal Investigator and Host Institution to monitor that grants progress. We request regular (usually quarterly) scientific progress reports as well as a financial report once or twice per year. Our grant payments are generally subject to pre-agreed milestone completion.

What is the application process?

  • All applications submitted to PTEN Research, either in the form of Project Proposals, Full Applications, Targeted Calls or otherwise, are subject to PTEN Research’s Terms and Conditions of Applications.
  • If you wish to include in your application results, data or background intellectual property that might thereby constitute a public disclosure, please contact us at research@ptenresearch.org and we will provide a Confidentially Agreement, as appropriate.
  • All applications will undergo scientific, budgetary and programmatic assessment by our scientific research team. In general, Full Applications are also reviewed by external independent experts. Those applications that are considered of outstanding value by the internal and external review will be further reviewed by our Scientific Advisory Board.
  • Applicants will be provided with feedback on their application and have an opportunity to respond to any specific questions raised during the review process.
  • The final funding decision is made by our Trustee Board.

For any more information about applications, please contact research@ptenresearch.org.