Warwick Ventures Business Development Manager, Dr. Shum Prakash, was recently invited to sit on the prestigious National Institute for Health's new "Research for innovation, speculation, and creativity" (RISC)programme.

The Programme will provide small, discrete grants for new speculative and radical health research proposals that could lead to a step change in the care and management of patients. RISC awards are intended particularly for speculative, novel proposals that are unlikely to gain support during traditional peer review processes.

All researchers based in the NHS in England are eligible to apply. Joint applications from NHS researchers with academic partners as co-applicants are welcome. The first competition for RISC will start on 2 April 2007 and the closing date for submissions of proposals is 29 May 2007. Further information about the RISC Programme, including how to make an application process is available here.

If you'd like to apply and wish to talk to Dr. Prakash in person, please contact her at s.prakash@warwick.ac.uk or 02476 574145.