We welcome research applications from all areas of women’s reproductive and gynaecological health across the life course. Our research saves and changes the lives of women, girls and babies.
We usually put out two different research calls each year, supporting both training grants and project grants. Training grants support the best and brightest early career researchers and underpin a researcher’s development as an independent future leader. Project grants support independent researchers leading their own work.
Our research is selected, monitored and evaluated by our eminent Research Advisory Committee (RAC), a team of established and expert clinicians and researchers.
Our rigorous selection procedure and independent peer review process guarantees we fund only the highest quality research to ensure that our funds are invested strategically to achieve the greatest impact on improving healthcare for women, girls and babies.
We are accredited by the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and we work collaboratively with key partners including the government and the royal colleges; the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), the Royal College of Midwives (RCM) and the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).
The RAC is made up of an independent panel of specialists in women’s health who serve fixed terms to ensure fresh opinions and up-to-date expertise.
Decisions are based not only on each project’s scientific value, but also on the quality of applicants and what research will have the greatest impact on women’s health.
Vacant committee roles
We welcome expressions of interest from leading scientists, clinicians and women’s health specialists who are interested in joining our committee and encourage applications from candidates from diverse backgrounds. Find out more here.
Independent chair
Professor David Williams
Professor of Obstetric Medicine, University College London
Researchers and clinicians
Professor Mohamed Abdel-Fattah
Clinical Chair in Gynaecology, University of Aberdeen
Professor of Gynaecological Oncology, University of Oxford
Professor Linda McGowan
Leadership Chair-Applied Health Research, University of Leeds
Professor Dilly Anumba
Chair of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Sheffield
Dr David McLernon
Senior Research Fellow in Medical Statistics, University of Aberdeen
Professor Katie Morris
Professor of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine, University of Birmingham
Dr Kirstie Coxon
Associate Professor (Research) Midwifery, Kingston University London
Professor Julia Sanders
Professor of Clinical Nursing and Midwifery, Cardiff University
Professor Pauline Slade
Professor in Clinical Psychology, University of Liverpool
Professor Dharani Hapangama
Professor of Gynaecology, University of Liverpool
Professor Rachel Tribe
Professor of Maternal and Perinatal Sciences, King’s College London
Dr Stamatina Iliodromiti
Reader in Women’s Health and Reproductive Medicine at Queen Mary University of London
Professor Raheela Khan
Professor of Cellular Physiology, University of Nottingham
Professor Krina Zondervan
Professor of Reproductive and Genomic Epidemiology, University of Oxford
Dr Sarah Martin
Reader in Cancer Cell Biology, Queen Mary University of London
Professor Hilary Critchley
Professor of Reproductive Medicine, University of Edinburgh
Midwifery Subcommittee
We are also supported by our Midwifery Subcommittee – three expert
members in the field of midwifery research who sit on behalf of
Wellbeing of Women and the Royal College of Midwives.
Dr Annette Briley
Consultant Midwife and Clinical Trials Manager, King’s College London
Professor Jayne Marshall
Foundation Professor of Midwifery, University of Leicester
Professor Vanora Hundley
Professor of Midwifery and Deputy Dean for Research and Professional Practice, University of Bournemouth
Our peer reviewers
We would like to take a moment to recognise the support and dedication of our amazing peer reviewers, women’s health experts in specific fields from around the globe who play a vital role in our review process.
Without the insight, expertise and hard work that they contribute to reviewing, it would be impossible to do what we do and continue to fund high-quality research to benefit the lives of babies, girls and women.
Information for researchers who have been awarded a Wellbeing of Women grant.
Further information coming soon.
Policies
Use of animals in research
Wellbeing of Women is a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC). We support the principle of using animals in research when it is necessary to advance understanding of health and disease and to develop new treatments. This research only takes place where there is no alternative available. All AMRC member charities support this principle, as outlined in this AMRC statement on the use of animals in research.
Cross-funder statement on COVID-19 in future grant applications
The Academy of Medical Sciences has co-ordinated a cross-funder statement with funder signatories on COVID-19 institutional memory: how we as funders will look to fairly remember and recognise the impacts of COVID-19 on grant applicants' work in the future.
“...Any disruptions to research activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be taken into consideration by our panels and committees when assessing an individual applicant’s record of outputs, research achievements, and career progression in future grant rounds. We understand that most researchers will have been affected during this period of disruption. We also recognise that some of these impacts are likely to be felt long after the acute phase of the pandemic, potentially affecting applications for months or years to come...” Excerpt from the statement
We are proud to work in collaboration with the following esteemed partners.
We are a NIHR non-commercial partner
Wellbeing of Women is a National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) non-commercial Partner.
This means the studies that we fund may be eligible to access the NIHR Study Support Service which is provided by the NIHR Clinical Research Network. The NIHR Clinical Research Network can now support health and social care research taking place in non-NHS settings, such as studies running in care homes or hospices, or public health research taking place in schools and other community settings.
In partnership with your local R&D office, we encourage you to involve your local NIHR Clinical Research Network team in discussions as early as possible when planning your study. This will enable you to fully benefit from the support available through the NIHR Study Support Service. To find out more, please visit: www.nihr.ac.uk/study-support-service
If your study involves NHS sites in England you will need to apply for Health Research Authority Approval. For guidance on submitting an application please visit: www.hra.nhs.uk.
