The BLRS is inviting applications for a funding award to support relevant research projects. The BLRS research grant is designed to support research in clinical and pre-clinical fields of limb reconstruction, including PPI, qualitative work, Pilot & Feasibility Studies and bio-mechanical and biological pre-clinical studies for limb reconstruction.

Projects in the BLRS high priority areas will be prioritised (https://blrs.org.uk/research/priorities/)

Collaborative projects from multiple BLRS members are particularly welcome and can be facilitated through the BLRS collaborative research network.

Up to £10k of funding has been agreed by the BLRS executive. Applications will be considered by the Research committee and ranked according to score. More than one award may be given.

The closing date for applications is 17:00 on 31^st July 2025.

Applications should be sent to a.trompeter@nhs.net with “BLRS grant 2025 application” in the subject line.

The BLRS can provide letters of support for successful applicants if a pump priming project goes on to apply for a larger application for funding from other funding organisations.

The BLRS is pleased to announce that it is supported by the NIHR Research Delivery Network as a non-commercial partner – successful grant winners will be able to access NIHR support and have their work considered for NIHR portfolio. The main role of the NIHR RDN is to provide support for the planning and delivery of high-quality research, which benefits patients and the NHS.  This includes clinical trials (e.g. prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and care studies), and other well-designed health and social care research studies. The NIHR RDN provides this support through:

• The NIHR RDN Study Support Service – a standard national framework for supporting the planning and delivery of high-quality research in England
• Additional funding opportunities
• Access to relevant research delivery training, including Good Clinical Practice training

Previous successful grant applicants:

Qualitative study to answer question: What is the lived experience of patients awaiting limb reconstruction surgery?”

Lead investigator: Piers Page, Swansea Bay UHB/Swansea University

Awarded: £6k

Economic Analysis of burden of Fracture related infection. 

Research question: What are the direct costs of Fracture related Infection in the NHS?

Lead Investigator: Elizabeth Tissingh, RNOH, Stanmore

Awarded: £7.2k

Pilot Study for a physiotherapy outreach for patients

Can the establishment of an ilizarov outreach service have an impact on costs and outcomes of ilizarov patients through rapid and regular access to Advanced Practice Level Physiotherapy provision in the patients’ own environment?

Lead investigator: Chris Morgan, Advanced practice physiotherapist, South Eastern Trust, Northern Ireland

Awarded: £6.8k

Integrated care in limb reconstruction: Scoping the interdisciplinary team, their skills, training, education and development needs.

Lead Investigator: Anna Timms, RNOH Stanmore

Awarded: £6.1k