SUDC UK Research Strategy & Review process
SUDCUK is an introductory member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and is working with AMRC to follow its best practice standards for expert review, ensuring that decisions on research funding are made in a fair and transparent way.
Our SUDC UK Research Grant Review Process is led by our independent Chair, Professor Rachel Chambers, Professor of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology within the Division of Medicine at University College London.
SUDC UK holds a new grant call every 1-2 years to advance understanding of SUDC. Please click on the image below to review our current research strategy, or read on to learn about our review process and most recent grant call.
In 2024, SUDC UK launched its first formal Research Strategy — a bold commitment to fund breakthrough studies that could save children’s lives.
Our research mission is to:
- contribute towards the prevention of SUDC
- accelerate the change which will enable children to live with a reduced risk of SUDC
We prioritise research that:
- Explores the link between SUDC and febrile seizures to identify preventable measures
- Influences national guidelines and NHS pathways to educate and protect families
- Advances understanding across genetics, neurology, cardiology, pathology, and more
In Autumn 2024, we launched our first global research grant call, inviting international projects aimed at making a meaningful impact on the lives of children in the UK.
Led by Professor Rachel Chambers, Professor of Respiratory Cell & Molecular Biology, UCL, a bespoke research review panel brought together expert professionals and bereaved family representatives to rigorously assess research proposals and recommend funding to our SUDC UK Board of Trustees.
5 full project applications were recieved in 2024 and 2 projects were successfully funded.
Research Panel Members
Meeting Chair – Professor Rachel Chambers, Professor of Respiratory Cell and Molecular Biology. Director of the Centre for Inflammation and Tissue Repair and Co-Head of the Department of Respiratory Medicine, UCL, UK
- Professor Finbar O’Callaghan, Professor of Paediatric Neuroscience, Institute of Child Health, UK
- Dr Rachel Moon, Professor of Paediatrics, University of Virginia, USA
- Professor Peter Sidebotham, Emeritus Professor of Child Health, Warwick Medical School, UK
- Professor Jeanine Young, Professor of Nursing, Sunshine Coast AUS
Family Voice Representatives: Clare Pitts, Nathan Robinson. Both representatives are bereaved parents affected by SUDC and they are currently ambassadors for SUDC UK. SUDC UK warmly and gratefully acknowledges their important contribution to this meeting and impact on medical research, in memory of their children, Alfie Robinson and Harry Pitts. Thank you.
We would like to thank all our 2025 Research Review Panel Members and all those who submitted written expert reviews to inform decision making.
SUDC UK Research Policies
Our SUDC UK Research Process Handbook outlines our research review pocess in detail including our conflict of interest policy.
Policy on the use of animals in research
We are an introductory member of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC) and support the principle of using animals in research when it is necessary to advance understanding of health and disease and to develop new treatments.
This research only takes place where there is no alternative available. All AMRC member charities support this principle, as outlined here.
We are committed to the principals of replacement, refinement and reduction (3Rs) of animal research and all applications are assessed against these criteria.
Policy on research in universities
SUDC UK endorses the AMRC’s position statement on supporting research in universities.
Policy on the importance of involvement in medical research
SUDC UK recognises the importance of involving the public in producing high quality research that has meaningful outcomes and will always advocate that families affected by SUDC are involved appropriately in research projects. We support the AMRC position on this topic.