How to Apply
The awards are aimed at researchers in the early years of running their own groups, for whom receipt of the prize would make a significant difference to their research work.
The Institute’s approach to funding continues to be unique in that it accepts applications from tenured and non-tenured researchers, clinicians and non-clinicians, working broadly in the field of biomedical science and preventive medicine. It has no priority diseases or restrictions on the research area supported.
This approach ensures that research prize holders are given the freedom to develop their research careers individually, while also fostering a sense of identity within the Lister community.
Copyright – MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology
“Having this fantastic, flexible pot of funding to plough into something that’s new, relatively risky, and under-appreciated is incredible. It’s a big research challenge we’ve taken on, but if we’re right, then it opens up lots of new opportunities. I think the Committee shared in my excitement about that.”
Dr Hayley Sharpe, Babraham Institute,
2020 Fellow
How do the awards work?
The Lister Institute’s research prizes are awarded as lump sums of £250,000 which must be spent within a five-year period.
The money must be used in support of the applicants’ research but can be used for equipment, travel, consumables or the salaries of post-doctoral workers, technicians or PhD students etc. Personal salary provision or augmentation is not allowed, but the funds can be used for a replacement lecturers’ salary.
There are typically up to six competitive awards per year which are made after an online application process, which includes external reviews and subsequent interview with members of the Scientific Committee. The Institute currently receives around 100 applications each year. From these, approximately 30-40 candidates are long-listed and up to 12 are then interviewed.
“The award transformed our overall research programme. Most importantly, aspects of the proposal had previously been rejected by other funding bodies for being “too risky” – the Lister’s investment provided us with evidence that other funders had confidence in the strategy and enabled us to generate proof-of-principle data that subsequently encouraged research council investment in this approach.”
Dr Robin May, University of Birmingham, 2010 Fellow
Who can apply?
- The awards are open to any researcher who fulfills the eligibility criteria and who is working in a not-for-profit institution in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
- Applicants may be scientifically or medically trained and will have their personal salary provided from either their host institution or another source.
- Research may be in any area of biomedical science, but most of the research must be conducted in the UK or Republic of Ireland. Some work carried out overseas is acceptable, and awards are transferable between institutions.
Please read the FAQ’s before contacting us with any questions
Find out More
If you have any questions over your eligibility for a Lister Institute research prize then please don’t hesitate to contact us today.
If you believe that the receipt of a Prize would make a real difference to you and your research then please find out more
about how to apply for a Lister Prize fellowship.
How are the prizes awarded?
The winners are selected according to several criteria including:
- the originality and quality of the proposed research,
- past achievements and the context of their own circumstances, and
- the impact that the prize would have on their career, taking account of their research environment and other funding.
“I had only started my own independent group 18 months before the application deadline, but more importantly I was on maternity leave with my twin babies at home and the COVID-19 pandemic was wreaking havoc. However, I was motivated to put in an application because I knew that Lister funds people at an early stage in their career – just like myself.”
Dr Stineke van Houte, University of Exeter, 2021 Fellow
How to apply?
2024 Prizes are now closed. The deadline for applications was Wednesday 20 September 2023.
Lister Prize Process
Once your application is received it is reviewed by members of the Scientific Committee (SC) to generate a long-list of candidates whose applications are then sent to national and international experts for a detailed review.
Short-listed candidates are then selected by SC members based on their own assessments and the results of the expert reviews. The short-listed candidates, which can be up to 12, then make a brief presentation and are interviewed by the SC. Successful candidates will commence their Lister Fellowship on the 1st October 2023.
Interviews will be held in May 2024 in London. We allow re-application provided a candidate remains within the eligibility criteria.
Please see here for out 2023 Prize winners, as well as what the Lister Prize means to our current Fellows
“In addition to the award itself, the yearly Lister research meeting that brings together past and present fellows is a great opportunity to hear about an outstanding breadth of biomedical research covering a diverse array of topics in the life and medical sciences.”
Dr Josef Kittler, University College London, 2010 Fellow
Other Information
The Lister Institute of Preventive Medicine is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) non-commercial Partner. This means the studies that we fund may be eligible to access the NIHR Study Support Service which is provided by the NIHR Clinical Research Network. The NIHR Clinical Research Network can now support health and social care research taking place in non-NHS settings, such as studies running in care homes or hospices, or public health research taking place in schools and other community settings. Read the full policy: Eligibility Criteria for NIHR Clinical Research Network Support. (.PDF)
In partnership with your local R&D office, we encourage you to involve your local NIHR Clinical Research Network team in discussions as early as possible when planning your study. This will enable you to fully benefit from the support available through the NIHR Study Support Service. Find out more about the Study Support Service.
If your study involves NHS sites in England you will need to apply for Health Research Authority Approval. Guidance on submitting an application.