PhD Funding Proposal Development in Healthcare Research Level 7 - 7KANR001

This module for healthcare professionals aims to provide the student with the experience of preparing a grant application suitable for submission to a funding agency. Aimed at novice researchers in healthcare seeking to apply for Ph.D. or doctoral research funding, the module explores the funding application process from the design through submission and interview stages. Students work collaboratively with their peers and experienced researchers to develop their own ideas for developing a competitive grant application.

This module will enable students to prepare effectively for the development of a grant proposal for competitive, peer-reviewed funding that is strong from a methodological point of view, but also reads well and presents a convincing case for funding. This module will be suitable for home and international students seeking structured support and training for completing a competitive application for doctoral funding

Module Content:

• Grant application process.
• Funding opportunities and eligibility criteria (NIHR, ESRC, MRC, Welcome, healthcare charities such as Cancer Research UK, etc).
• The importance of the research question, title, aims, and objectives.
• Research protocol.
• Self-assessment- strengths, and weaknesses.
• Identifying training needs, selling yourself as a candidate.
• Project Management and Finance: study time schedule, budget, and plans for obtaining necessary ethical approvals.
• Demonstrating credible support: choosing supervisors and institutions.
• Pre-submission review.
• The interview process, skills, and a mock interview.

Learning is facilitated through lectures, required and recommended reading and seminars. The seminars will include student and guest presentations and hands-on exercises. Active student participation will be encouraged.

On successful completion of the module, the student will be able to:

• Demonstrate expert understanding in the process of development and submission of a grant application;
• Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of the criteria for developing a strong research proposal;
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of what constitutes Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) and its relevance to Ph.D. funding;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the research governance and oversight requirements, and be able to propose and appropriate project management plan (including GANTT chart, budget, and timelines for obtaining approvals;
• Demonstrate a comprehensive and advanced understanding of sales pitch and writing style to produce a convincing application with a good structure, flow, and argument;
• Demonstrate a critical awareness of the importance of communicating your work to different audiences including using Plain English and scientific summaries;
• Demonstrate an understanding of the process of individual research training needs analysis;

The module is designed for health and care professionals

3,000-word assignment. Detailed Research Plan

Term 3 - 24/04/2025, 01/05, 15/05, 22/05, 05/06, 12/06

This module is offered as part of King’s College London’s flexible postgraduate awards in Professional Development. These awards will be one of the most flexible currently offered in the UK, providing the opportunity to study a range of modules from across King’s, both on-campus and online. You can complete individual modules and stack these towards a PgCert, PgDip or MA/MSc.

Designed for experienced professionals juggling life and work commitments, our postgraduate awards will enable you to study at your own pace. In challenging financial times, you are also able to fund your studies module-by-module. We will support you to select the right module diet that meets your objectives while ensuring that you are well prepared for success. We will also help you to build your professional network of peers from across our suite of Continuing Professional Development (CPD) modules.

If you are interested in following this award route, please visit our webpage for further information or email stackable-cpd@kcl.ac.uk. Please note that this route will require you to meet the following entry requirements:

• A 2.2 honours degree or international equivalent
• A CV and personal statement outlining your reasons for study
• English language band D (for example, IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each skill)
• A professional registration in nursing or another allied health profession.

Please note that the above route is optional. You may still take the module as a standalone course within the faculty. You will not be permitted to count credit from this module towards a Professional Development award if you have already used it, or intend to use it, as part of a faculty-based award.