Fast Track Scheme

You would normally be expected to submit your application through the standard two-stage application process.  The fast-track scheme however, provides an opportunity to submit a full proposal directly, shortening the total time from submission of an application to receipt of a funding decision by approximately 3 months in comparison with the standard route.

You should note that by choosing this route, your proposal will compete on equal terms with other full proposals that were shortlisted by the EME Board as preliminary applications. You should balance the need for a quick decision with the additional work required to submit a full proposal (without the advantage of early feedback from the EME Board).  In all cases NETSCC, EME will need to be convinced that you and your team have fully considered this.

It is intended that this route is only used where reducing the timescale will provide significant benefit, or exploitation of a narrow window of opportunity, for example:

• where the application process adds significantly to the time taken to answer the research question;
• when the study team have received previous funding from another funder, at an earlier stage, for the intervention being evaluated;
• a pilot or feasibility study (which if positive would lead to an application to the EME programme for a full study).

Should you decide that you would like to fast-track your application to a full proposal, you will need to discuss this with the EME secretariat initially.  You will need to convince the secretariat that the reduction in timescale will provide significant benefit.

If it is agreed that the fast-track scheme is the most appropriate route, you will be provided with a link to access the full proposal web form.  The deadline for the submission of fast-track full proposals will be the same as that for preliminary applications.