Research Funding

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 supports two kinds of research.

  1. Individual research projects
  2. Part funding of PhD Studentship

1. Research projects

We need research on:

  • The mechanisms of spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections
  • How best to deliver patient care for sexual heath
  • The best settings in which to deliver sexual health care to various groups in society: the young, the gay and bisexual, the sexually adventurous, and ethnic minorities
  • What kind of care clients want and their views
  • Specific issues relating to deprived or marginalised communities
  • The mechanisms and effects of sexually acquired infections and syndromes
  • The interaction between various conditions
  • The most effective treatments for these conditions
  • How to avoid or minimize the complications caused by treatment

We will fund the following fields of research:

  • Epidemiology of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases
  • Research on HPV and other sexually transmissible malingnancies
  • Healthcare 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

Please note that in order to encourage new research we are less likely to fund researchers who have already successfully obtained funds from STIRF in the recent past.

Applicants will be accepted from health professionals working in the following Deanery’s

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

Find out how to apply for research funds

Deadline for applications for 2024 is March 31, 2024.

 

2. PhD Studentship

Applications are invited from university departments in the West Midlands, Trent, Yorkshire, Northern and North West regions for PhD Studentship in 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

Deadline for applications for 2022/3 is December 31, 2022

Find out how to apply for PhD Studentship funding