Precision Medicine Alliance Scotland

The Precision Medicine Alliance Scotland (PMAS) is a Programme for Government commitment to support research in Precision Medicine.

Precision Medicine is defined as delivery of the right treatment at the right time to the right patient. The strategic aim of PMAS is to stimulate research and delivery in the NHS of Precision Medicine through specific programmes of work that will tackle health conditions of major importance in Scotland, including diseases that disproportionately impact on those at risk of socioeconomic disadvantage.

PMAS will be based around a number of research projects that target the space between research and adoption into clinical practice.

 

The key criteria that will underpin the Precision Medicine Alliance Scotland (PMAS) are:
  • PMAS will support NHS Boards in carrying out directly translational work in areas of clinical need. This translational work will be based on precision approaches
  • PMAS investment will target clinical conditions that disproportionality impact socio-economically disadvantaged individuals/groups
  • Applications of up to £750K (at 80% Full Economic Cost) per annum and 3-4 year duration will be welcomed – please note that these are the absolute maximum amounts for any application and that Value for Money and time to completion will be important considerations in the review process
  • Applications will be peer reviewed by a UK and international panel of experts

 

Applications will be reviewed on:
  • Market readiness (based on expected value of results, 5 year real world clinical implementation plan, potential for acceleration of ecosystem development)
  • Efficient use of existing infrastructure (PMAS is not designed to fund capital infrastructure development)
  • Potential for leveraging external funding and building efficient collaborations and networks
  • Capacity building
  • Full and enduring PPI
  • Meaningful impact in key clinical areas

Applications that leverage additional resource from industry, 3rd sector or public funders are particularly welcome.

Scotland has a wide range of existing infrastructure relevant to the development of Precision Medicine research. Applicants are encouraged to engage with elements of this infrastructure as appropriate when developing their proposals. Examples include:

Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre | Digital Health & Care Innovation Centre (dhi-scotland.com)

Home – The Data Lab

Precision Medicine Scotland Innovation Centre

University of Glasgow – Colleges – College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences – The Living Laboratory

Northern Alliance Advanced Therapies Treatment Centre • ATTC Network – Advanced Therapy Treatment Centre (theattcnetwork.co.uk)

Infrastructure | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

CSO has engaged with senior representatives from the above organisations to update them on the remit of the PMAS call.

 

Eligibility

Chief Investigators must be permanent salaried members of staff at a Scottish NHS Board or eligible Research Institution.
Applications must be developed in collaboration with the R&D Offices of one of the 4 nodal NHS Boards (NHS Grampian, NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, NHS Lothian, NHS Tayside).

R&D Offices | NHS Research Scotland | NHS Research Scotland

Research funded through PMAS will be at a close to clinic stage. Therefore animal costs are not eligible through this programme. 

 

How to apply

Applicants should engage with the appropriate NHS R&D Office at the earliest opportunity (see above)

CSO is not operating a two stage application process for this call; there will no outline application stage. Applications to this call should be made using the full application form.

Application Form

Guidance for Application

Conditions of Grant 

Completed application forms should be submitted by the relevant NHS R&D Office to CSO Grant Applications by 5pm on Wednesday 11th August.

Applications should be accompanied by a letter of support from the Chief Executive and/or Medical Director of the host NHS Board.

 

Assessment

Applications submitted to this call will be peer-reviewed by a bespoke independent expert panel to be convened by CSO.  Applicants should therefore ensure that applications can be well understood and evaluated by scientific and medical researchers who may not be specialists in the particular area of the application.

Following full consideration of all applications, the independent expert panel will invite a number of the bid teams to interview.

These interviews will take place virtually in early October 2021 and CSO will announce the final funding outcomes shortly thereafter.

Any questions about the PMAS call can be directed to Alan Mcnair