ABS Research Project Development Meetings

Find out how to get support when developing a research proposal

The ABS Academic and Research (A&R) Committee hold Research Project Development Meetings with the aim of offering advice and support to members wishing to develop research ideas before applying for funding. The A&R Committee includes experienced clinical trialists, researchers, and members of research groups such as the NCRI Breast Clinical Studies Group and therefore are able to provide input to help refine and develop proposals, including identifying possible key collaborators and funding streams. We are happy to advise on study ideas at any stage of their development, from a concept through to a more developed trial design, addressing any aspect of breast disease of relevance to breast surgeons.

Please note that the ABS Research Project Development Meetings are designed as a forum for feedback, discussion and comment. Not all studies will be suitable or yet appropriately developed for badging or endorsing by ABS. However, ABS wishes to support high quality research development and delivery from its earliest stages. The ABS A&R Committee will therefore offer some projects, as deemed appropriate by committee members, the opportunity to become ABS studies supported for development. In practice this will mean offering ongoing support to help these studies move forwards. This might include for example, promoting well designed feasibility and pilot work to the membership, linking applicants to other collaborators, and enabling access to the trainee collaborative network to help move studies forwards towards future funding and success. The ABS A&R committee will select suitable projects for support and let applicants know as part of their feedback process.

ABS Research Project Development Meetings are run twice a year. Information about future dates will be displayed here as they are arranged. 

Research Project Development Meetings Upcoming Dates

The next Research Project Development Meeting will be held virtually on 8 October 2026 2-4pm.

When to attend a Research Project Development Meeting

1) Very early - when you think you have a research question and have done the background literature search, so know what has already been done, but are unsure of study design (audit / cohort / prospective / retrospective / RCT etc.) and if this design is feasible and/or correct. 

2) At later stage to fine tune design e.g. inclusion/exclusion criteria, endpoints, translational research ideas.

Either of these times is appropriate and some studies may benefit from discussion at both stages or several times whilst in development. This is not a 'hoop to jump through' but independent, free help and advice from an experienced audience, because we want to support the development and delivery of high quality research in breast surgery.

Before the meeting:

  • Presenters must request a slot a minimum of 28 days before the Research Project Development Meetings 
  • A maximum of 4 presenters will be selected for in each meeting 
  • A project outline must be submitted which members of the panel can read before the day of presentation. The template for the project outline is available here (Appendix 1) and must be received at least 14 days before the meeting. 
  • The dates of the Research Project Development Meetings will be arranged by the A&R committee and at least 2 weeks before the meeting, the project outlines will be circulated to all committee members.
  • All committee members will be asked to provide written feedback based on the project outline, even if they are unable to attend the meeting.

Format of the meeting on the day:

  • Presenters should speak for 8 minutes and use a maximum of 8 slides. 
  • Presenters must know how to share slides virtually
  • There will then be time for a 15-20 minute discussion with the panel and the presenter as required.
  • In order for the session to be quorate there should be at least 4 A&R committee members present. Ideally there will be trainee representation from the Mammary Fold and nursing representation present. Specific expertise e.g. .CTU representation, may be extremely valuable and if there are no A&R Committee members with the relevant experience and/or contacts, then an independent panel member may be invited
  • During the session (or before if ubable to attend) committee members will be asked to complete a short feedback form and email it to the committee member collating feedback at the end of the session. (Appendix 2)

After the meeting:

  • Written feedback will be sent within 14 days
  • The study can be re-presented at a subsequent Research Project Development Meeting session if further advice is required
  • The presenter will also be asked to complete a short feedback questionnaire on their experience of the process so that we can help improve it in future.
     (Appendix 4)

For more information about how the sandpit sessions work and the assistance they can offer you may wish to read Mr Tim Rattay's article on taking a proposal to one of the sessions.  To download the article please click here

For information about when the next session is being held or to discuss further, please contact Lena Sebova at lenasebova@absgbi.org.uk