The Foundation for the Sociology of Health and Illness, a UK charity, gives pump-priming grants that help research groups prepare a bid to a major national or international funder in the sociology of health and illness.
Groups use the money for groundwork such as travel, pre-pilot work and literature reviews, then submit the full bid within six months of the award ending. Up to six awards were planned for 2025/26.
Benefits & funding
- Up to £6,000 per group, paid to the lead applicant’s institution against receipts or an itemised invoice.
- Covers travel (standard or economy fares), pre-pilot work, literature reviews and similar bid work; conference fees are excluded.
- No overheads on staff paid from the grant.
- Duties: submit the full bid within six months of the award’s end; report within three months.
Eligibility
- A group of at least four researchers based in at least two institutions.
- The lead applicant must be based in a UK university or research institution and be an active researcher in the sociology of health and illness; co-applicants may be based outside the UK.
- At least two members, including the lead, need a research track record in the field.
- Open at any career stage; no nationality rule is stated.
- Foundation trustees may be co-applicants but not leads.
- No one may hold more than one award at a time; past recipients may reapply.
Can you apply?
Check who can apply
No nationality, residency, education, experience, gender or age limit is listed. The other conditions are under Eligibility.
Circlebreaker is a free database of global fellowships, scholarships and programs — every one decoded like this.
We only check the criteria we have data for. Always confirm full eligibility on the official page before applying.
Application process
- 1The lead applicant completes the Foundation’s form, naming at least three co-applicants, the planned activities, costs, timetable and target funder.
- 2A university finance officer or similar signs it off.
- 3Submit online between 14 October and 30 October 2026, 23:59 UK time.
- 4A panel of three trustees decides, normally within eight weeks; no feedback is given.
Program timeline
Submission window opens
14 Oct 2026
Application deadline
30 Oct 2026 (23:59 UK time)
Normally within eight weeks of the deadline
Decisions