Research

Overview

Research at BSR: helping you find research opportunities that encourage development of the science and practice of rheumatology

Research is a key part of our daily function, helping to deliver excellence in rheumatology care.

Besides the registers, guidelines and other quality improvement initiatives, we offer professional development opportunities available throughout the year.

These range from research funding to visiting fellowships and relevant courses.

Research Funding Call

This is for members who have not had any substantial involvement with research to date; the award gives you access to an early-career research project funding opportunity.

Areas prioritised for support in 2021 are:

Research recommendations resulting from published BSR guidelines
Using BSR registers or audit data
Paediatric and adolescent rheumatology
Important research areas identified by members are: health services research, chronic pain (including fibromyalgia) and rare diseases, and COVID-19 impact on rheumatology patients

Visiting fellowships

Week-long fellowships held at a research centre of excellence in the UK, hosted by a BSR member

Due to COVID-19 and its impact on the NHS and research centres across the UK, we are not offering this fellowship in 2020. We hope to be able to offer this educational opportunity to members again in 2021.

Open to all members, this can be used as a first exposure to a research environment or for members with previous experience in research, who wish to access specific expertise at a centre other than their own, to allow them to develop a fellowship or research proposal for other funders.

We work with UK EULAR Research Centres of Excellence for these fellowships, but applications for visits to other centres will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Travel, accommodation and subsistence is covered, with a suggested maximum application of £1000, depending on location of awardee and centre.

Research mentoring

Our rheumatology researchers mentoring scheme is targeted to support a wide range of potential researchers to develop their academic interests and career ambitions.

Whether you are an experienced consultant looking to move into an academic career, an early career researcher, or have no research experience but an interest or idea you’d like support to develop, then we encourage you to apply.

The scheme is intended to encourage autonomy and self-development and mentors are not expected to collaborate on projects.

Find out more about mentoring