The main objective of the Sir Jules Thorn Charitable Trust is to fund translational research that will bring benefit to patients through improved diagnosis, or assisting in the development of new therapies for important clinical problems.

The Sir Jules Thorn Award for Biomedical Research supports an original programme of translational biomedical research in any discipline or disease area. The work must include research involving patients. There must be a clear strategy defining how the research will translate into benefit for patients and the timescale within which this will take place.

The studies might include, for example:

• Significant proposals which could lead to improved diagnosis and/or prognostic methods and new treatments.
• Concept validation.
• Intervention trials.

All proposals must be based on appropriate bio-statistical analysis.

Medical schools and NHS organisations in the UK are eligible to apply provided that they are able to demonstrate:

• A track record in international competitive, cutting edge clinical translational research.
• Adequate infrastructure support.
• Institutional commitment to support the principal applicant’s research.

The award provides a grant of up to £1.7 million for a five-year programme of translational biomedical research.

Only one application per eligible institution/organisation is permitted and must be selected following an internal competition coordinated by the Dean of Research, Head of the Medical School or other appropriate person having delegated authority, who must provide written support for the submission.

(This Bulletin article was the subject of a ResearchConnect news alert.)