Small Pilot Grants

Tenovus Scotland Small Pilot Grants provide funding for pump priming research studies of up to 18 months' duration, with awards ranging from £15,000 to £25,000 depending on the Scottish region. These grants are designed to support preliminary studies that are likely to lead to subsequent funding from major grant-giving bodies, innovative patient-related projects, and early career investigators. The program particularly supports researchers lacking other substantive support in the early stages of new projects, recent recruits, and new collaborations between established investigators. Preference is given to innovative patient-related medical research projects with strong potential for future funding. Support is mainly provided for running costs, although equipment specifically for the proposed research may be considered. Applications must demonstrate appropriate ethical permission and statistical justification where applicable. The program operates through four regional offices across Scotland, each with its own grant amount ceiling and application deadlines. The grants are particularly focused on supporting early career researchers and new projects, though postdoctoral researchers may apply with clear support from their supervisor as co-applicant. Principal investigators must have tenure of contract for the duration of the award. All applications undergo detailed peer review, and researchers are encouraged to publish in open-access journals.