Please note:
Deadline for applications for research finds and PhD Studentship for 2022 has been extended to April 29, 2022.
Please see previous post:
Call for research funding and PhD studentship applications 2022
for details of how to apply.
Call for research funding and PhD studentship applications 2022
We invite researchers in various fields related to sexual health, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections to apply for funds to undertake:
- Original research
- Part funding of PhD Studentship
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 West Midlands, Trent, Yorkshire, Northern and North West regions.
The primary aim is to provide initial funding to allow promising projects from researchers early in their career to obtain preliminary results as a prelude to acquire further funds from larger funding bodies.
We invite applications from researchers in the above regions on projects or part funding of PhD Studentships relating to sexual health, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. All projects will be initially screened by the Scientific Committee of STIRF and those considered suitable will be sent for peer review by experts in the field.
The following fields of research will be considered in relation to sexual health, 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
Applications for research grants should not exceed £50,000 in the first year. Depending on satisfactory reports a further £25,000 may be available for the second year. Joint funding with other grant giving bodies will be considered. Applications for part funding of PhD Studentship should not exceed a maximum of £60,000 over 3-4 years
For further information and guidance on how to apply for a research grant visit:
https://stirf.org/application-for-research-funds-from-stirf/
And for details of how to apply for part funding of a PhD Studentship visit:
https://stirf.org/research/applications-for-part-funding-of-phd-in-sexual-health-and-related-topics/
Deadline for applications (both for research projects and PhD Studentship) has been extended to April 29, 2022
COVID-19 restrictions and changing sexual behaviours in MSM in London, UK
A recent article in the journal Sexually Transmitted Infections has looked at changes in behaviour in MSM in London during the Covid 19 pandemic. The study was web-based and only among HIV-negative MSM in a large urban setting.
Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic and its related restrictions have affected attendance to and delivery of UK sexual healthcare services.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional, anonymous, web-based survey among HIV-negative MSM at high risk of HIV infection who attended a sexual health and HIV clinic in London in August 2020. They collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, sexual behaviour and related mental well-being experienced during lockdown.
Results: 814 MSM completed the questionnaire: 75% were PrEP users; three quarters reported they have been sexually active, about half had sex outside their household. The majority reported fewer partners than prior to lockdown. Interestingly 73% had discussed COVID-19 transmission risks with their sexual partners.
One out of five reported guilt for breaching COVID-19 restrictions and three out of four implemented one or more changes to their sexual behaviour. PrEP users reported higher partner number, engagement in ‘chemsex’ and use of sexual health services than non-PrEP users.
Conclusions: COVID-19 restrictions had a considerable impact on sexual behaviour and mental well-being in respondents. High rates of sexual activity and STI diagnoses were reported during lockdown. Changes to sexual health services provision for MSM must respond to high rates of psychological and STI-related morbidity and the challenges faced by this population in accessing services.
Extension of applications deadline for the 2021 round
2021 application round
Information for prospective applicants:
Please note that due to problems faced by prospective researchers the deadline for applications for both research projects and PhD Studenship have been extended to: January 31, 2021
Invitation for applications for funds for original research or PhD Studentship – 2021
We invite researchers in various fields related to sexual health, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections to apply for funds to undertake:
- Original research
- Part funding of PhD Studentship
This year, due to the Covid-19 pandemic we will only consider research applications or PhD Studentships that in some way address the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on sexual health, HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.
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 West Midlands, Trent, Yorkshire, Northern and North West regions.
The primary aim is to provide initial funding to allow promising projects from researchers early in their career to obtain preliminary results as a prelude to acquire further funds from larger funding bodies.
We invite applications from researchers in the above regions on projects or part funding of PhD Studentships relating to the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. All projects will be initially screened by the Scientific Committee of STIRF and those considered suitable will be sent for peer review by experts in the field.
The following fields of research will be considered in relation to the impact of COVID-19 on sexual health, 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
Applications for research grants should not exceed £50,000 in the first year. Depending on satisfactory reports a further £25,000 may be available for the second year. Joint funding with other grant giving bodies will be considered. Applications for part funding of PhD Studentship should not exceed a maximum of £60,000 over 3-4 years
For further information and guidance on how to apply for a research grant visit:
https://stirf.org/application-for-research-funds-from-stirf/
And for details of how to apply for part funding of a PhD Studentship visit:
https://stirf.org/research/applications-for-part-funding-of-phd-in-sexual-health-and-related-topics/
Deadline for applications (both for research projects and PhD Studentship) has been extended to January 31, 2021
PhD studentship
STIRF will not be advertising for PhD studentships for the academic year 2020-21
Teenager guide to Sexual health
Teenagers should be well aware of the potential consequences of their actions, including raising their risk of being exposed to sexually transmitted diseases as well as, potentially, having an unintended pregnancy, but they also should know about how they can reduce or limit the risk of negative consequences of sexual activity.
New PhD project funded
We are delighted that Xola Potelwa has been awarded a STIRF PhD studentship. Xola is undertaking her PhD at the University of York, under the supervision of Dr Amanda Mason-Jones.
Xola is an early career researcher who was previously based in Johannesburg, South Africa where she was leading a team that is investigating comorbidities amongst residents in Soweto, a large peri-urban settlement in the south of the city. She has worked on research projects in fields such as human rights law, diagnostics, youth leadership and health. Prior to that Xola spent several years interacting with emerging market policymakers and traders as a financial journalist for Bloomberg and Reuters. She earned her master’s degree in Health Sociology from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg where she investigated uptake of the HPV vaccine amongst middle class and wealthy families in South Africa. Xola likes to read for pleasure. It is possible that she has moved to York simply to finally learn how to ride a bicycle!
Invitation to apply for research funding: 2020 round
We invite researchers in various fields related to sexual health, HIV and other sexually transmitted viruses to apply for research funds.
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 West Midlands, Trent, Yorkshire, Northern and North West regions.
The primary aim is to provide initial funding to allow promising projects from researchers early in their career to obtain preliminary results as a prelude to acquire further funds from larger funding bodies.
We invite applications from researchers in the above regions on projects relating to sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. All projects will be initially screened by the Scientific Committee of STIRF and those considered suitable will be sent for peer review by experts in the field.
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
Applications should not exceed £50,000 in the first year. Depending on satisfactory reports a further £25,000 may be available for the second year. Joint funding with other grant giving bodies will be considered.
For further information and guidance on how to apply visit
https://stirf.org/application-for-research-funds-from-stirf/
Deadline for applications: Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, in line with other fund giving bodies, applications are suspended until further notice
Applications using the appropriate form downloaded from the STIRF web site should be sent with a short CV of the lead investigator by email to:
Dr Mohsen Shahmanesh, (Hon Secretary STIRF)
Stirfweb@gmail.com
Invitation to apply for PhD Studentship 2020
The Sexually Transmitted Infection Research Foundation (STIRF) is a local charity which supports research relating to all aspects of sexual health including clinical practice, public health, microbiology, health economics and behavioural science.
STIRF wishes to fund a PhD Studentship up to a maximum of £60 000 over 3-4 years and is inviting applications with a closing date of February 29, 2020.(see below)
Applications would only be considered from universities in the following UK health regions:
West Midlands, Trent, Yorkshire, Northern and North West regions
For details of how to apply go to: