BPSU Sir Peter Tizard research bursary

Purpose of the award

• Encourages paediatricians who are not research active to undertake a study of a rare disease or condition which affects children and which addresses a question of clinical or public health importance.
• Enables paediatricians to further develop their research knowledge and skills.
• Adds to the body of knowledge of rare childhood diseases and conditions.
• Promotes the role of the BPSU in the surveillance of rare diseases affecting children.
• Supports the RCPCH's objective of building and strengthening research in paediatrics.

The Sir Peter Tizard bursary was my first exposure to epidemiology and surveillance. The experience I gained has been instrumental in developing my career in leading the surveillance of preventable infections at Public Health England.

Dr Shamez Ladhani, BPSU Chair and winner of the Sir Peter Tizard Bursary, 2004-05

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria changed in 2021, and applicants must:

• be a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health or Collegiate Members of the Faculty of Paediatrics or the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland
• be a paediatrician working (at least part of their time) in the UK National Health Service or Irish public health care system who are:
  • specialty trainee (any grade)
  • academic trainee, or
  • new consultant (within three years of appointment to a consultant post).
• must not have previously led a BPSU study
• must not have previously submitted an application on the same topic for consideration by the BPSU scientific committee.

Any one candidate can submit only one application per year.

Joint applications (ie where two applicants work together on a BPSU study under supervision and share the award) are acceptable.

Application information

Applications in 2023 were open from 17 July to 30 October (extended deadline). You can download application materials below for reference.

In 2022, Dr Simon Lenton presented this short video with advice for your application.