Call for Nominations: Cecil King Memorial Award Grant 2026 (United Kingdom)

Deadline: 07-Dec-2026

Psoriasis UK is inviting early career researchers based in the UK to apply for the Cecil King Memorial Award, which supports innovative, small-scale research projects focused on psoriasis. The award provides up to £10,000 for research that can be completed within 12 months and aligns with Psoriasis UK’s charitable aims and Top 10 Research Priorities. The award aims to support the next generation of researchers and encourage novel or proof-of-concept studies that could contribute to improved understanding and treatment of psoriasis.

About the Cecil King Memorial Award

The Cecil King Memorial Award was established to support early career researchers working to advance knowledge of psoriasis. The award is intended for projects that are: - Innovative and original. - Small in scale. - Feasible within 12 months. - Relevant to psoriasis research. - Aligned with Psoriasis UK’s charitable aims. - Connected to the organization’s Top 10 Research Priorities. The program particularly encourages novel or proof-of-concept research supported by preliminary data. What Research Does the Award Support? Applicants should propose research that addresses important questions within psoriasis and has the potential to contribute to future advances in understanding or treatment.

Projects may involve:

- Novel research approaches. - Proof-of-concept studies. - Research supported by preliminary findings. - Studies addressing Psoriasis UK’s priority research areas. - Research with potential benefits for people living with psoriasis. The proposed project must remain appropriately small in scale and achievable within the available funding period. Project Duration Funded projects must be designed to be completed within 12 months.

Projects must:

- Be feasible within the 12-month funding period. - Commence within 12 months of the award letter. - Not require an extension. - Not depend on additional funding to complete the proposed work. The award is not intended to supplement or extend existing grants. Funding Available The Cecil King Memorial Award provides up to £10,000. The funding is paid directly to the applicant’s host institution. There is no additional funding or extension available after the award has been made, so applicants should ensure that their proposed research can be completed within the available budget and timeframe. Equipment Costs Equipment costs are permitted, but they are subject to a specific restriction. No more than 50% of the requested budget may be allocated to equipment costs. Applicants should therefore demonstrate that equipment expenditure is necessary and provides good value for money in relation to the proposed research. Publication and Open Access Costs Publication costs may be included in the project budget where appropriate. This can help ensure that research findings are made available through open access and can be accessed by the wider research and patient communities. Who Can Apply? Applicants must meet the award’s early career and institutional requirements.

Eligible researchers must:

- Be based at a UK research institution. - Be under 35 years old, or within five years of their first independent academic position. - Hold a contract covering the full duration of the proposed project. - Propose research focused on psoriasis. - Ensure the project is relevant to the aims of Psoriasis UK. The award is intended specifically to support researchers at an early stage of their independent research careers. Ethics and Regulatory Requirements Research involving humans or animals must meet all relevant ethical and regulatory requirements.

Where applicable:

- Appropriate ethics approvals must be obtained. - Required regulatory approvals must be in place before funding can commence. - Animal research must follow established guidelines and accepted best practices. Applicants should consider these requirements when planning the project timeline. Research Reporting Requirements Award recipients are required to provide a final report and lay summary when the project is completed. The lay summary should communicate the research and its findings in an accessible way for a non-specialist audience. This helps ensure that the outcomes of funded research can be understood beyond the academic research community. Acknowledgement of Funding All funded research must acknowledge the support received from the Cecil King Memorial Foundation and Psoriasis UK. This acknowledgement is required in resulting: - Research publications. - Presentations. - Other relevant dissemination activities. How to Apply Applications must be submitted using the official application form.

Applicants are required to:

- Complete the application form as a Word document. - Submit the completed application by the stated deadline. - Provide a signed hard copy. - Provide proof of postage. Applicants should carefully follow the submission instructions and ensure that all required materials are included. How Applications Are Assessed Applications are assessed against several criteria to determine the scientific and practical value of the proposed research.

The assessment considers:

- Scientific quality. - Originality. - Feasibility. - Relevance to psoriasis. - Potential benefit to patients. - Value for money. - Suitability of the research team. Applicants should clearly demonstrate why their proposed research is important, achievable, innovative, and relevant to people affected by psoriasis. How to Prepare a Strong Application A strong application should present a focused research question and a realistic plan for completing the work within 12 months.

Applicants should:

- Clearly explain the psoriasis research problem being addressed. - Demonstrate the originality of the proposed study. - Explain any preliminary data supporting the research. - Show how the project aligns with Psoriasis UK’s research priorities. - Provide a realistic methodology and timeline. - Keep the project appropriately small in scale. - Justify all