{"id":2432,"date":"2026-05-27T14:43:03","date_gmt":"2026-05-27T14:43:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/?p=2432"},"modified":"2026-05-27T14:43:03","modified_gmt":"2026-05-27T14:43:03","slug":"pre-call-announcement-arthritis-uk-calls-for-research-consortia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/?p=2432","title":{"rendered":"Pre-call announcement: Arthritis UK calls for research consortia"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"920\" height=\"180\" src=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ArthritisUKlogocrop.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2434\" srcset=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ArthritisUKlogocrop.png 920w, https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ArthritisUKlogocrop-300x59.png 300w, https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/ArthritisUKlogocrop-768x150.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 920px) 100vw, 920px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Arthritis UK consortium funding aims to bring different groups together to work with integrated thought and ambition. Creating a community of shared expertise, to deliver a cohesive series of research packages that work towards unlocking a problem area at pace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Two new research consortium opportunities have been announced:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Supporting Mental Health for People with Arthritis<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This opportunity aims to support improvements in the holistic management of growing and living well with arthritis, from childhood into adulthood and through later life, including end-of-life care. It will support:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>implementation of existing evidence-based mental health solutions for people with arthritis in new settings alongside or outside the NHS<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>development of novel interventions where current interventions are insufficient or not adaptable, to be designed to be delivered within relevant settings,<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>pharmacological and psychological interventions, with an emphasis on the interaction between them<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Areas of focus include, but are not restricted to, supporting mental health for people with arthritis such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>underserved communities particularly in rural and coastal areas<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>children and young people with chronic pain<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>women experiencing the menopause<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-large-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Osteoarthritis Treatments<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This opportunity supports research focused on the development of disease and symptom modifying pharmacotherapeutic osteoarthritis treatments. It will support:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>development of a distributed portfolio of multiple already identified potential treatments with different targets and mechanisms of action, at different stages of development<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>building a strong UK osteoarthritis translational research community, able to deliver rapid pharmacotherapeutic research progress<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Areas of focus include, but are not restricted to, support for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>development of small molecules, biologics (antibodies, peptides, proteins), advanced therapeutics (DNA and RNA gene therapy, cell-based therapy), regenerative medicine approaches<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>repurposing of existing medicines or adoption of underdeveloped \u201con-the-shelf\u201d assets with established safety profiles and indications of potential efficacy in osteoarthritis<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>novel approaches: pathway progression \u2013 hit evaluation, human target engagement, lead identification, refinement and optimisation to candidate nomination<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>repurposed entities: generation of initial efficacy and safety data in the targeted patient population<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>testing and confirming developmental approaches that have no prospects, broadcasting these widely, and halting activities where necessary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Details of the first osteoarthritis consortium are available here:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.arthritis-uk.org\/about-us\/contact-us\/press-centre\/press-releases\/pioneering-study-sets-out-to-answer-why-osteoarthritis-impacts-patients-differently\/\">Pioneering study sets out to answer why osteoarthritis impacts patients differently<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">ELIGIBILITY<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lead applicant must be based at an eligible UK institution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One applicant must have a substantive position at the host (lead) institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Individuals are not allowed to Lead more than one Consortium, but can be members of multiple Consortia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">International members bringing expertise or facilities that are not available in the UK are welcomed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">VALUE AND DURATION<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Both calls are offering up to \u00a33million for up to 60 months (costs for salaries, consumables, expenses and small items of essential equipment can be requested).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">KEY DATES<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Calls open: June 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Notice of Intent to Apply deadline: <strong>29 July 2026<\/strong> (instructions in call documents below)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Application deadlines:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>9 September 2026<\/strong> (Supporting Mental Health for People for Arthritis)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>23 September 2026<\/strong> (Osteoarthritis Treatments)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Funding decisions: March 2027<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Links to each opportunity webpage can be found on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.arthritis-uk.org\/research-professionals\/research-opportunities-and-funding\/open-and-future-funding-calls\/\">funding calls<\/a> section of the Arthritis UK website. Further information can also be found in the respective call documents below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A recorded presentation will also soon be added to the opportunity webpages, providing information about developing and managing a theory of change delivery framework for applications to these calls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supportingmentalhealthconsortiumcalldocument.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of supportingmentalhealthconsortiumcalldocument.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-3a4cb5fd-d7bc-4314-82cb-addd14368b06\" href=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supportingmentalhealthconsortiumcalldocument.pdf\">supportingmentalhealthconsortiumcalldocument<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/supportingmentalhealthconsortiumcalldocument.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-3a4cb5fd-d7bc-4314-82cb-addd14368b06\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/osteoarthritistreatmentsconsortiumcalldocument_final.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of osteoarthritistreatmentsconsortiumcalldocument_final.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-10d9a46e-3999-411a-a2db-7bf10a44f599\" href=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/osteoarthritistreatmentsconsortiumcalldocument_final.pdf\">osteoarthritistreatmentsconsortiumcalldocument_final<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/osteoarthritistreatmentsconsortiumcalldocument_final.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-10d9a46e-3999-411a-a2db-7bf10a44f599\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Arthritis UK consortium funding aims to bring different groups together to work with integrated thought and ambition. Creating a community of shared expertise, to deliver<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-opportunities"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2432","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2432"}],"version-history":[{"count":21,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2432\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2457,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2432\/revisions\/2457"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2432"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2432"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2432"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}