SPIN-D Flexible Funding Scheme

The SPIN-D Network+ is a collaborative effort to improve dementia care and prevention. We aim to bring together researchers, healthcare professionals, people with dementia, and their families to create innovative solutions. We have a Flexible Fund to support various activities, including:

• Scientific Calls: Funding for research projects focusing on dementia prevention and care.
• Sandpits: Workshops where experts can share ideas and co-create projects.
• Micro-challenges: Funding for small projects that explore innovative approaches to dementia.
• ECRs: Support for Early Career Researchers through internships and small grants. Find out more here: Register as an Early Career Researcher.

We will also offer training, mentorship, and knowledge exchange opportunities. We are committed to co-production and involving diverse communities. Contact us to express an interest in our flexible funding activities.

Flexible Funding 2026

Apply for funding to advance research and involve people with lived experience of dementia in reducing risk, delaying symptoms, and improving care.

The first call for SPIN-D flexible funding was opened in January 2025, closing at the end of March 2025. The call resulted in the network awarding funding to 11 projects, and further details about these projects can be found here. We are now pleased to launch our second round of flexible funding. Please see further information below about the funding available and how to apply.

Overview: 

Call for applications: open from 22nd January to 31^st March 2026.

SPIN-D is pleased to announce the second call for projects under the Flexible Funding initiative, aimed at Early Career Researchers.  We wish to fund projects that will delve deeper into our understanding of dementia, or share findings from previous studies. We are interested in the role that different risk factors can play in determining whether people go on to develop dementia, and how symptoms advance.  We are also interested in projects that test ways to reduce dementia risk and improve care and support for those living with dementia in their own homes.

Funding is available at two levels:

• ‘Inclusion in practice’ grants for small projects or events. Funding will be provided within an anticipated range of £400-£2,000, with an upper limit of £4,000 (at 80% fEC)
• Proof of Principle Research Project funding for carrying out a small pilot project, with funding up to £24,000 (at 80% fEC)

We also have a dedicated fund for enabling access to the PROTECT data source and other data sources to support dementia related data science research. 

The Flexible Funding is awarded on a Full Economic Cost (fEC) basis, as per ESRC rules, and so the above figures are indicative of the total value of the project that would be provided by SPIN-D, with the recipient research organisation contributing 20%.

How Flexible Funding works:

Webinar, SPIN-D Network + Flexible Fund – Information + Q&A:

A live-stream webinar about the funding call took place on Thursday 22nd January 2026. The recording from this event is available here (the recording from the 2025 webinar is available here). The webinar events were hosted by Dementia Researcher.

Scheme at a glance: Inclusion in Practice

We are looking for projects that facilitate collaboration in the community and with a focus on equity and diversity.
Value   Frequency of call   Lead-applicant   Co-applicants   International co-applicants   Industry   Third sector co-applicants   Duration   Start by	£400-£2,000, with upper limit of £4,000 (80% fEC applied) Annually for 2 years   An early career researcher based at a UK University/research organisation Accepted   Accepted   Accepted   Required for this funding call   12 months   1st October 2026

Examples of outcomes from the ‘Inclusion in Practice’ call could include:

• Develop research involvement and co-production practice
• Inform the development of future funding bids
• Inform and support dissemination of research findings

Scheme at a glance: Proof of Principle Research Project

This funding aims to pump-prime innovative high-quality, prevention studies that support SPIN-D themes and provide pilot or proof of concept work for external funding applications.
Value   Dedicated Data Access Funding Frequency of call   Lead-applicant   Co-applicants   International co-applicants   Industry & Third sector co-applicants   Duration   Start by	£12,000 – £24,000 (80% fEC applied) Up to £5,600 (80% fEC applied) Annually for 2 years   An early career researcher based at a UK University/research organisation Accepted   Accepted   Accepted   12 months   1st October 2026

Examples of outcomes from the Proof of Principle Research Project call could include:

• Secondary research using previously published data
• Secondary analysis of existing large datasets including large research cohort datasets (e.g. PROTECT, 1947 Birth Cohort; ELSA, Understanding Society, BioBank) and datasets within NHS/service delivery organisations (e.g. primary care data/CPRD, hospital episode statistics), commercial organisations and voluntary and charitable organisations
• Pilots and proof-of-concept work which may include data from mobile and e-health applications
• Generation of new evidence including quantitative data (e.g. surveys and questionnaires) and qualitative data (e.g. interviews)

How can I apply?

Please read the ‘Guidance information’ before applying.  To apply please complete the application form below and submit the form as a PDF to the email address provided on the form by the deadline. 

The Guidance information is available here.