IAS Small Grants Scheme call for applications
We are inviting applications from researchers – especially early career researchers – to our small grants scheme. This scheme will provide funding for innovative research ideas that can help inform public policy debates on how to tackle alcohol harm. Priority will be given to proposals that align with our long-term vision to reduce alcohol harm in the UK.
Level of funding: Between £500 and £15,000
Duration of funding: Up to 12 months. Awards will be available from January 2027; all projects and reporting should be completed by 31 March 2028
Applicant eligibility: Applicants should normally have a PhD or equivalent professional qualification and be based at a UK university. Applications from researchers less than seven years (FTE) post-PhD are encouraged.
What will be funded: The small grants scheme is designed to support innovative research ideas relevant to UK alcohol policy and will fund the following types of project:
- Systematic and/or rapid evidence reviews
- Pilot and scoping studies
- Preliminary data collection
- Proof-of-concept studies
Projects designed to provide pilot data for submission as part of a larger grant proposal elsewhere in future are particularly encouraged.
The grant can be used to cover the following:
- Salary, research management and support costs
- Conference and meeting costs
- Travel and subsistence, in accordance with the IAS Travel & Subsistence Policy
- Access charges and equipment
We will not fund: Extensions or additions to existing projects, projects which are not relevant to our organisational objectives, course fees, computers/laptops, indirect costs or overheads (please see AMRC website).
Application process
The application process has two stages.
IAS is happy to advise how your idea may fit IAS’s objectives and priorities, and to give feedback on dissemination opportunities and potential collaborators. Pre-submission enquiries are encouraged and should be directed to grants@ias.org.uk.
Stage 1: Outline proposals
Outline proposals are invited for submission by Friday 19 June 2026 using the application form provided. Further guidance is available in our FAQ document.
The application should also include a CV (for each applicant), and a completed IAS Conflict Of Interest declaration, and an optional list of relevant and recent publications (maximum one page of A4). Applicants should also complete IAS’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion monitoring survey.
Outline applications are submitted to grants@ias.org.uk.
Outline proposals are triaged by IAS staff and reviewed by members of the IAS Small Grants Scheme Research Review Committee* against the following criteria:
- Potential for the proposed research to inform alcohol policy debates
- Relevance to IAS Long-term vision
- Track record of applicant(s)
- Feasibility of proposed project and its likely outcomes
- Value for money
One application is allowed per Principal Investigator.
Applicants whose outlines are shortlisted for further consideration will be informed by Monday 17 August 2026 and provided with feedback from the review panel.
Stage 2: Full proposal
Shortlisted applicants are invited to submit a more detailed proposal by Friday 18 September 2026.
Full proposals will contain a response to reviewers’ comments, a case for support (up to four pages, using the headings from the outline application form), and an itemised budget.
Full proposals will be reviewed by members of the IAS Expert Advisory Panel. Additional opinions may be sought from external peer reviewers.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their applications by Friday 30 October 2026. Feedback will be provided for all unsuccessful candidates.
Successful applications
Funding will be available from January 2027 onwards, and all projects and reporting must be complete by 31 March 2028.
Successful applicants are required to provide a brief progress report six weeks before the end of their project. A template for this report, which is intended to be a brief summary of progress, outcomes and planned outputs, will be provided by IAS.
It is hoped that small grants will lead to future peer-reviewed publications, policy briefs or larger research proposals to other funders.
It is expected that IAS funding will be acknowledged in all published materials.
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* The Research Review Committee comprises: Prof Linda Bauld, University of Edinburgh; Dr Sadie Boniface, University College London; Dr Lucy Bryant, Open University; Prof John Holmes, University of Sheffield; Prof Jennifer Maggs, Pennsylvania State University; Dr Melissa Oldham, University College London; Prof Jonathan Shepherd, Cardiff University; Dr Anya Topiwala, University of Oxford; and Dr Jyotsna Vohra, Tommy’s. Dr Sadie Boniface chairs the committee.
IAS COI declaration for research review committee small grants scheme.
Our research strategy is to focus on tackling alcohol harm and so we do not fund research using animals. However, as a member of AMRC we support the principle of using animals in research when it is necessary to advance understanding of health and disease and to develop new treatments. This research only takes place where there is no alternative available.
All AMRC member charities support this principle, as outlined in this statement: AMRC statement on the use of animals in research