Seed Funding
The AI Nurses Network seed funding scheme supports the development of innovative and translational nurse-led clinical research on artificial intelligence which needs financial support to transform into competitive applications for larger research funding. The research must be aimed at creating positive change and value for patient care or population health.
This seed funding call welcomes proposals that showcase clinical research on artificial intelligence (AI) in nursing which identifies and tackles a clear health and care challenge. It supports nurses to work together and with partners and communities with relevant expertise on applications covering the full spectrum clinical research and areas of AI from smaller, focused projects through to larger collaborations to address new or emerging health and care problems. This can include but is not limited to:
- research which develops and validates AI predictive models in healthcare,
- deploys new or existing AI tools in professional practice, and
- examines the benefits, limitations or risks of AI in nursing.
The seed fund encourages applications from all areas of nursing that break disciplinary silos and integrate various types of clinical research activities into the proposed programme of work.
Award-winners should use the seed-funding to work towards a significant research grant application, submitted to a major UKRI funding body e.g., National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), Medical Research Council (MRC), Innovate UK, or a charity funder.
Setting out your pathway to a research grant application that is sustainable, scalable and will generate impact is a core part of the AI Nurses seed funding application and will be carefully scrutinised by the panel. Successful projects will ensure the work has a viable forward trajectory (funding and delivery structure) beyond the funded period via the most appropriate means.
Funding Available
The AI Nurses Network seed funding has two tiers of investment available up to £20,000 and we aim to support as many projects as possible.
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Tier 1 - Scoping project that seeks to undertake a small-scale clinical research study focusing on AI in nursing. This may be a type of rapid review (e.g., scoping, narrative, realist), a primary study that collects or analyses data, a Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE) activity, or the secondary analysis of an existing dataset. A maximum of £10,000 is available to support Tier 1 projects over a maximum of 6 months.
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Tier 2 - Pilot project that seeks to undertake a more substantial clinical research study focusing on AI in nursing. This may be a more in-depth and rigorous evidence synthesis (e.g., systematic review, qualitative evidence synthesis), a primary study that collects or analyses data incorporating Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), or the secondary analysis of an existing dataset. A maximum of £20,000 is available to support Tier 2 projects over a maximum of 6 months.
It is important that all applications include a breakdown of costs; value for money is one of the assessment criteria.
Application Process
Please read through the seed funding guidelines before submitting your application. Seed funding guidelines will be available to download here from the 6th January 2025.
Proposals should be submitted by one lead applicant via the formal application form below. The application round will close at 12.00 noon on the 28th February 2025.
The seed funding application form will be available to download here from the 6th January 2025.
To apply, return your completed and signed seed funding application form to ainurses@kcl.ac.uk before 28th February 2025 at 12:00 noon.
If you have any questions about the application process, please read through the seed funding guidelines or contact ainurses@kcl.ac.uk.