Leading UK charity offers to fund research which could save many lives

A leading medical charity in the UK is offering grants worth more than £380,000 for research which could save many lives.

The Northern Ireland Chest, Heart and Stroke Association (NICHSA) say the grants, which are aimed at helping combat stroke and heart illnesses that claim two out of three lives, are only available for projects based in Northern Ireland.

The charity has pledged £125,000 for chest disease research, while stroke and heart illness research receives £125,000.

Another £76,000 will go to other areas of study.

For the first time the association is also offering training grants totalling £40,000 to help nurses and other health professionals contribute to the quality of research.

Andrew Dougal, the charity's chief executive, says they are looking for proposals from researchers in hospitals and universities which offer the quickest possible benefit for patients.

Currently the association is funding a large number of research projects including a study aimed at improving treatment of heart disease in people with diabetes.

Another which will hopefully result in new treatment for the severe chest disorder Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

According to Mr Dougal NICHSA-funded research regularly produces new medical techniques.

The dye test, angiogram, used to detect the presence of coronary heart disease was pioneered in Belfast City Hospital with initial funding from NICHSA.

The closing date for applications for research grants is 26 October, 2005 with funding being offered from 1 August, 2006.

The closing date for training grants is 1 March, 2006, although applications may be considered at other times.

Application forms for the grants can be downloaded from the charity's website.