Purpose
The overarching role of the Panel is to offer independent and objective guidance to the Charity’s Trustee Board on which grant applications to fund, and to consider the progress of grants through regular reports from grant recipients. It will also encourage and foster relations within the MSA research community.
Key Tasks
- To provide guidance on the Trust’s three-year research strategy in line with the Trustee Board’s Vision
- To offer independent and objective advice on grant applications
- To monitor the performance of individual research and project grants through reviewing submitted grant progress reports and liaising with grant recipients as required.
- To advise the Trust on its grant processes and procedures
- To provide advice to the Trust on research-related issues, e.g., international group activities
- To provide guidance to the Trust on collaborative working/partnership opportunities
Membership
- Trustee (Chair of SAP)
- Representatives from clinical/scientific backgrounds relevant to MSA research
- A minimum of 2 lay members
- The Chief Executive
- Research Nurse Specialist (MSA)
Election of Chair
The Board will determine the SAP Chair at the same time as determining its membership. If the designated SAP Chair is not present at a meeting, then those present will elect a Chair for that meeting (so long as it is quorate).
Quorum
The meetings shall be quorate if five or more members are present.
Frequency of Meetings
The SAP will meet a minimum of once a year.
Voting Rights
The SAP Chair (Trustee) has voting rights but, to avoid double-voting, they cannot vote again on research matters at the Trustee Board. Should any other Trustees attend SAP meetings – in whatever capacity – they have no voting rights as they may vote on the Trustee Board. All SAP members have voting rights on matters discussed at meetings. In the case of a tied vote, the Chair has the casting vote.
Record of Meetings
The SAP shall ensure that an agreed record of each of their meetings, signed by the meeting’s Chair is maintained and where appropriate is forwarded to the Trustee Board. Such record should be held for a minimum of 6 years.
Appointment of Members
The Board with recommendation from the SAP is responsible for appointing the members of the SAP.
Evaluating Performance
SAP will report on the key tasks to the Trustee Board via the chair of SAP, yearly. The SAP is responsible for evaluating its own performance against the key tasks on a regular basis, and should it be considered appropriate the Trust agrees to provide relevant training or support.
Conflict of Interest Declarations
A conflict of interest is any situation in which a member of the SAP’s personal interests or loyalties, or those of the MSA Trust, may appear to clash. These requirements apply to all committee members, external reviewers, staff and trustees involved in the review process.
Conflicts of interest may include, but are not limited to:
- Being an applicant, co‑applicant, or collaborator
- Having a personal relationship or business interest
- Being a direct competitor
- Institutional conflicts
- Co‑authorship conflicts
To help identify a potential conflict, SAP members are encouraged to consider the following questions:
- Can I act solely in the best interests of the SAP when this potential conflict could arise?
- If there are competing interests, can I balance them fairly and impartially?
- If I hold relevant information that others may not be aware of, am I able to disclose appropriately?
If you cannot confidently answer “Yes” to all of the above, a conflict may exist.
Declaration and Recusal Process
Declarations of interest will be requested at the beginning of each SAP meeting. Any member who identifies a conflict of interest will be recused from the portion of the meeting where that conflict is relevant.
The Chair will ensure this process is followed appropriately.
If you are unsure whether something constitutes a conflict, or would like confidential guidance ahead of a meeting, you are welcome to contact the SAP Chair. They will be happy to support you in determining the best course of action.