Our research practice
We fund pioneering research to improve survival rates and reduce the harm caused by brain tumours. This is led by our research strategy, with the most promising projects selected using rigorous peer review.
Accelerating a Cure: Our Research Strategy
Our Research Strategy, Accelerating a Cure, defines our priorities, for 2022 – 2027, as we aim to double survival in 10 years and halve the harm caused by brain tumours.
To achieve these ambitious goals we are focusing our efforts on the following priority areas:
Creating new knowledge
Accelerating new treatments
Enhancing quality of life
Accelerating a Cure was developed in consultation with people personally affected by a brain tumour, leading researchers in our community, and innovators from beyond the sector.
This strategy aims to deepen our understanding of brain tumours while accelerating new and pioneering treatments that improve both survival and quality of life.
All grant applications must address at least one of the priority areas.
Peer review
We award our funds through a peer review process. This is recognised as best practice in awarding research grants and so each application is subject to review by independent experts in the field.
Peer review is the only way to ensure the very best research is selected for funding and that it is not duplicated by research elsewhere. Our supporters can be confident that the money they raise in good faith is spent in the most effective way, with the best chance of success to improve diagnosis and treatments of brain tumours.
AMRC membership
The Brain Tumour Charity is a proud member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and was awarded their Certificate of Best Practice in Research Peer Review for a fourth time in 2020.
Peer review in practice
How do we advertise grants?
The process differs for each type of grant but in every case we openly advertise for applications. This ensures that all eligible researchers can put forward their best research projects to us.
What is the role of peer reviewers?
To help us assess applications, we use online databases to identify reviewers from around the world with the most relevant expertise for each application. We ask them to comment on the suitability of the applicants’ expertise, feasibility, the potential impact for those affected.
Every application is also reviewed by our Advisory Boards.
Who are our advisory boards?
Our advisory boards are made up of internationally renowned scientific and medical experts that work in different areas of cancer research and social science.
Our three boards, who are responsible for assessing and rating all of the applications for our various grant schemes, are the Biomedical Scientific Board (SAB), the Lay Advisory Board (LAB) and the Translational Advisory Board (TAB).
The Biomedical Scientific Advisory Board (SAB)
The SAB assess our Quest for Cures, Expanding Theories and Future Leaders grant applications. With their combined expertise they work towards our goal of improving survival for those affected by brain tumours.
The Lay Advisory Board (LAB)
The LAB are composed of individuals whose lives have been affected by a brain tumour on a day-to-day basis. They provide their lived experience expertise to all our funding schemes as the community’s input and feedback is our top priority.
The Translational Advisory Board (TAB)
Our newest board the TAB, formed of both academic and clinical experts, bring together their knowledge to assess applications for our Translational Award. They evaluate applications which have the potential to bridge the translational gap and bring new treatments to the clinic.
How else do we ensure good research practice?
We welcome applications for funding from brain tumour researchers worldwide, although some schemes are more favourable to UK researchers.
We do not just give money to researchers we know or happen to be local to us.
We seek to ensure we are not funding research that duplicates work already being done and select only world class research that has the best chance of success.
We manage and monitor our grants throughout their lifetime and insist on yearly reporting and outputs from the researchers over the duration of the grant period and subsequent reporting afterwards through Researchfish.
Our research awards process is managed by a small, highly experienced research team who ensure all our practices are being upheld to the utmost scrutiny.
Confidentiality and conflicts of interest
Throughout the process all information contained in applications, reviews and committee discussions is kept strictly confidential. Both written reviewers and AB members must accept our conflict of interest policy before they agree to review a grant application. We make every effort to ensure our decisions are fair, objective and transparent. Any individual who has a conflict of interest with an application is excluded from its assessment.
Animals in research
We support the principle of using animals in research when it is necessary to advance understanding of brain tumours. All AMRC member charities support this principle.
This research is not undertaken lightly and only takes place where there is no alternative available in order to develop new treatments and where the benefits to human (and potentially animal) health outweigh the harm to animals.
Whenever we receive an application to fund such research we take great care, through our independent peer review process, to seek expert assurance about its conduct and value. Peer reviewers and Scientific Advisory Board members are asked to consider whether applicants have followed the principles of the 3Rs (refinement, reduction and replacement) as set out in NC3Rs guidance. If a research proposal requests the use of Specially Protected Species (SPS) additional review is required from the NC3Rs. Every effort should be made to avoid the use of SPS.
Stem cells in research
We support the principle of using stem cells in research when it is necessary to advance understanding of brain tumours.
This research is not undertaken lightly and only takes place where there is no alternative available in order to advance new understanding and develop new treatments. Whenever we receive an application to fund such research we take great care, through our peer review process, to seek expert assurance about its conduct and value.
AMRC statement on the use of human embryos & stem cells in research –
As an AMRC-accredited charity, we support the principle of using stem cells in research, as outlined in this statement by the AMRC.