Experts by experience: Our Research Network

By collaborating with people affected by dementia, we can ensure that research we fund tackles the challenges which are most important to them and is of the highest quality.

About the Research Network

The Research Network is a group of almost 200 volunteers who have lived experience of dementia either from having a diagnosis of dementia or caring and supporting someone with dementia.  

Using their own experience of dementia our Research Network Volunteers ensure our research is relevant, credible and has the potential to transform the lives of everyone affected by dementia.  

The work of Research Network Volunteers

We’ve highlighted here just a few examples of the critical activities our Research Network Volunteers are involved in:

Grant application development
The Research Network can review a researcher’s explanation of how their research could improve the lives of people affected by dementia. The volunteers can also review public involvement and/or engagement plans and make suggestions for improvement and maximum impact.

Lay Review 
All grant applications are reviewed by the Research Network. The volunteers comment and score applications based on how the research will or could improve the lives of people affected by dementia.  

Steering Groups
Research Network Volunteers can sit on project steering groups either at the development stage of a project or proposal or as part of the ongoing research project.  

Grant Advisory Panels 
There are 30-40 Research Network volunteers on our Grant Advisory Panel. They discuss and score the shortlisted grant applications. 4 members will go onto join the Grant Advisory Board to be a full-voting member representing the Research Network.  

Spreading the word about research 
Research Network volunteers raise awareness of dementia and research at events and conferences. They can support researchers to develop accessible (‘lay’) publications to share their research to the general public.

Ongoing support
Successful grant applicants will be assigned a team of volunteers with lived experience of dementia to help guide and advise throughout the research cycle.

For further information about our Research Network, email: [email protected] 

What research are we supporting?

Learn more about the kind of research we're funding and which you might be involved in reviewing as a Research Network volunteer. 

Current projects