"I would encourage anyone with a mental health research idea to apply for the funding" - Lisa Quigley.

The winning application will be announced the week commencing 13 June. 

Funding applications have opened for the RCVS Mind Matters Initiative's (MMI) Sarah Brown Research Grant, and will close on Friday 20 May 2022 at 5pm.

Set up in memory of RVCS Council member and mental health campaigner Sarah Brown, the £20,000 grant has been awarded annually since 2019.

The grant has funded research projects on topics including neurodiversity in the profession, wellbeing among isolated farm vets, the impact of racism on mental health, and the impact of moral injury on wellbeing. 

Applications on any area of veterinary mental health are welcomed, however the MMI has said that particular interest will be shown to projects covering its key focus areas for 2022-27, which include students and new graduates, the veterinary nursing profession, beyond mental health awareness, leadership, and equality, diversity, inclusion and civility. 

Mind Matters Initiative manager, Lisa Quigley, said: “We’re delighted to launch the Sarah Brown Research Grant funding applications for 2022. The grant is now in its fourth year and has been awarded in previous years to some incredible research projects, which have been led by passionate and talented researchers.

“I would encourage anyone with a mental health research idea, including students and those who are just starting out in their research careers to apply for the funding, as we will be judging applications based on their quality, originality and relevance to the profession rather than how much research experience the applicants have. 

“Applications will be anonymised, so the judging panel won’t be able to see the applicant’s affiliations, prior publications or professional seniority.”

Further information on how to apply and support for putting together an application can be found here. 

Image (C) Mind Matters Initiative