INSPIRE - undergraduate research

The Academy offers grants of up to £10,000 to succesful applicants, who each then have the responsibility and ownership for deploying the funds locally for INSPIRE focused activities over a two year period. Such activities should focus on, but are not limited to:

• Workshops, lectures, events and discussions based around research and research careers.
• Opportunities to network and develop mentoring relationships.
• Introductions to practical research through workshops teaching topics such as methodology and laboratory techniques.
• Stipends for competitively awarded, short-term vacation studentships.
• Creation of teaching materials.
• Films, websites and multimedia projects.
• Opportunities to work in different disciplines to encourage collaborative working.
• Training opportunities such as science writing and presentation skills.

For Universities that have a medical, veterinary and/or dental school, INSPIRE related activities should be made accessible to all types of student.

In carrying out the INSPIRE project, selected schools nominate a faculty member to be the INSPIRE lead. They are the lead contact for the Academy and for anyone interested in INSPIRE activities delivered in their school. The Academic leads work closely with student representatives to plan activities, apply for funding and lead delivery, in most cases, with administrative support.

The role of the Academy of Medical Sciences

In carrying out the scheme, the Academy will:

• Administer and manage the grant scheme.
• Link INSPIRE activities to other national initiatives.
• Facilitate contact between INSPIRE leads.
• Host an annual sharing conference.

The INSPIRE scheme is open to all UK veterinary schools, dental schools and medical schools that are recognised by the General Medical Council.  

Only one application will be accepted from individual Universities covering all clinical schools (medical, dental, veterinary) 

The selection panel for Round 6 of INSPIRE will consist of:

• Professor Jonathan Seckl FRSE FMedSci (Chair), Vice Principal (Planning, Resources and Research Policy); Professor of Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh.
• Ms Natalie Amanda, 3rd year Medial student, Cardiff University
• Mr Andrew Bell, Senior Academic Clinician, University of Glasgow.
• Professor Mike Curtis, Professor of Microbiology, Kings College London.
• Dr Kiterie Faller, Lecturer in Veterinary Neurology, University of Edinburgh.
• Professor Tamsin Ford CBE FMedSci, Professor of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Cambridge.
• Mr Niraj Kumar, 3rd year Medical student, University College London.
• Professor Naomi Low-Beer, Dean, Brunel Medical School.
• Professor Julian Sampson, Professor of Medical Genetics, Cardiff University.
• Professor Philip Quirke, Professor of Pathology, University of Leeds.

Applicants should not approach panel members to discuss their application. All queries should be directed to the Panel secretariat on INSPIRE@acmedsci.ac.uk.

Medical, dental and veterinary schools will need to provide the Academy with an end of grant report after the two year period has come to an end. Please see the Grant Terms and Conditions for further details. We encourage leads to maintain close contact with the Academy to facilitate the sharing of good practice and interim progress updates about the scheme.