Conditions and regulations
Sexually Transmitted Infections Research Foundation (STIRF) was set up to pump prime research projects relating to the epidemiology, pathophysiology, management, and health care delivery of sexually transmitted infections and HIV in the East and West Midlands. In 2024 this was expanded to the following Deaneries:
East Midlands – East Midlands Deanery
North east and north Cumbria – HEE North East
North west – North West Postgraduate Medicine and Dentistry
West Midlands – West Midlands Deanery
Yorkshire and Humber – Yorkshire and Humber Deanery
Before filling the application form for funding from STIRF please read the following conditions, which should be met before applications are considered.
- The following fields of research will be considered in relation to STIs and HIV.
- Epidemiology of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
- Research on HPV and other sexually transmissible malignancies
- Health care delivery including views of clients
- Issues relating to deprived or marginalised communities.
- Pathophysiology of diseases and syndromes
- Inter-relationship between diseases
- Treatment modalities
- Complications of treatment and co-morbidities
- Applicants should be working in the NHS or universities within the East and West Midlands and the North East and North West Regions of the United Kingdom. Applicants from non-NHS and non-academic settings within the same geographical locations will also be considered.
- Applicants should ensure that sponsorship of the project, including adherence to the NHS Research Governance Guidelines, is provided by the host institution.
- Applications should not exceed £60,000 in the first year. Depending on satisfactory reports a further £30,000 may be available for the second year. Joint funding with other grant giving bodies will be considered.
- Detailed justification for costs should be made on the application form
- Overhead costs be should be limited to 15% of salary costs within any proposal.
- Funding will be paid quarterly in arrears dependent on satisfactory progress
- A brief (2 page) CV should be attached.
Commissioned work
STIRF is also interested in commissioning work based on specific priority topics for research. Applicants should supply a brief (no more than one A4 size) preliminary application, outlining the following:
- title
- the proposed research question
- justification for why this should be a research priority
- a brief outline of the research methodology proposed to answer the research question
- existing resources which are available to the researchers
- a provisional estimate of the total grant requested
A more detailed application will be requested if appropriate following review of the preliminary application.
Please note that we are less likely to fund researchers who have successfully received funds from STIRF in the recent past
To apply fill download the Application form complete and send it by email with the other required documents to stirfweb@gmail.com or post to
STIRF, c/o Dr Shahmanesh and Leslie Organ, Whittall Street Clinic, Whittall Street, Birmingham B4 6DH