The grants programme is open to a wide range of applicants - those in primary care, urologists, cancer specialists and researchers. Our view of what constitutes an eligible project is deliberately broad - for example, projects might be aimed at improving patient experience in a practical setting, improving early diagnosis in primary care, focus on improving or developing treatments, be a data led piece of research or a lab-based project. 

The Andrew Meadows Award

As part of the IOPP grants, a special 'in memory' research award is given each year to the project which the panel judges to be most deserving.  The Andrew Meadows Award will be given to the project we consider to be the outstanding project from the submissions we receive to the annual IOPP grant round.  We wish to commemorate Andrew Meadows, who sadly died from bladder cancer in 2018: this special award is in his memory. We thank Andrew's family for their generosity in supporting vital research into bladder cancer. 

Please read the IOPP 2025 Grant guidelines and all applications must use the application form:

IOPP 2025 Grant Guidelines:  ABCUK IOPP 2025 Guidelines Primary Care Research and Clinical.pdf

IOPP 2025 Grant Application Form: ABCUK IOPP 2025 APPLICATION FORM.docx

The ABC UK Nursing Grants Programme aims to acknowledge the great contribution made by specialist nurses to improving both patient experience and their treatment pathway.  This category of grants gives awards to nurse-led projects and pieces of work; to encourage and fund small projects that will directly benefit bladder cancer patients.  

The application process for a Nursing Grant is very simple and we can help with the application process.  We are also happy to discuss any idea you may have for a project before you make a grant application to help enable your project idea. 

Your project idea must be directly related to bladder cancer and demonstrate direct outcomes and/or benefits for bladder cancer patients. Some ideas of potential project areas are shown below, although it could focus on any area which can make an impact on improving outcomes for bladder cancer patients or their experience of treatment.

What might your project focus on?  Some examples of areas you might consider:

• A project of benefit to those with bladder cancer - improving outcomes or their experience;
• Patient experience at the point of first diagnosis;
• A project aimed at improving treatment, monitoring and follow up systems or practice within a hospital or clinic. These may be simple, nurse-led changes in practice (perhaps with patient input) which could demonstrate longer term patient benefit and improvement to patient pathways;
• Patient experience of the discussion of treatment options;
• Sharing best practice;
• Mapping and improving the patient experience or patient surveys;
• Or your project may be aimed at providing better support for patients or groups of patients;
• A small scale quality improvement, audit or research project with practical benefits for patients.

WHO CAN APPLY:  The Programme is open to Urology and Cancer Nursing Specialists.  You can apply as an individual nurse, or with colleagues as a team.   You might work with patients within urology services where patients are being diagnosed and tested or undergoing surgery.  Or in other areas where bladder cancer patients are being treated - such as oncology or radiography, or in a follow up clinic where patients are monitored for recurrence or other issues. 

Please read the Nursing Grant 2025 Guidelines and all applications should be on the Application Form below:

ABC UK Nursing Grants 2025 Guidelines:   ABCUK Nursing Grants 2025 Guidelines.pdf

ABC UK Nursing Grants 2025 Application Form:  ABC UK Nursing Awards 2025 Application Form.docx

You can read about some examples of previous grants here: NURSES GRANTS PROGRAMME LEAFLET 2023.pdf

 
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) non-commercial partner

Action Bladder Cancer UK 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.  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. 

To find out more, please visit: www.nihr.ac.uk/funding-and-support/study-support-service/ 

If your study involves NHS sites in England you will need to apply for Health Research Authority Approval.

For guidance on submitting an application please visit:www.hra.nhs.uk/