1 November 2000

National Lottery Charities Board announces new Research grants programme

The Charities Board today announced details of a new research programme, which opens on 11 June 2001.

The new programme will support medical research and social research in the areas of health and social well-being.

The programme is aimed at charities and voluntary and community groups usually working in partnership with universities and research centres.

Details of the programme have been published in a booklet available from all Charities Board offices.

Diana Brittan, Chair, National Lottery Charities Board, said: "We have already awarded over £30 million to 200 charities and voluntary organisations for research projects in the fields of health, disability and care. The new programme will build on the lessons learned from previous research programmes in the areas of health and social well-being.

"Under the new Research grants programme the Charities Board wants to fund high quality research, in particular research that could have a real impact on helping those at greatest disadvantage in society."

Groups who we may benefit under the new programme include charities researching into mental and physical illness, those researching the needs of disabled people and children at risk.

The programme will be continuous with no closing dates for applications, and decisions on grants will be made twice a year.

For a copy of the Research grants programme leaflet, please call 0845 791 9191 (Minicom: 0845 755 6656) or visit our website at: www.nlcb.org.uk

Media enquiries: Robert Blow 020 7747 5227