I was sat in my car on 30th April 2021 waiting for my youngest daughter to wake up, casually checking my emails when I noticed a new unread email from Katie Bates - NC3Rs. I knew the decision regarding my Skills and Knowledge Transfer grant was pending and in all honesty wasn't expecting the grant to be successful.  i mean it was good but research councils don't fund post 92 universities, or so I thought...

I held my breath and began reading with intrepidation...

'I hope this email finds you well...
I am writing with an update regarding your recent Skills and Knowledge Transfer grant application entitled ‘Determining the efficacy and safety of cancer chemotherapeutics for cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) using Human Precision Cut Tissue Slices (hPCTS)`

so far, so good!
  
'The Panel met recently and I am very pleased to inform you that your project was recommended for funding, congratulations!`

My jaw dropped, stunned silence! I quickly read the email again, did I read it right...  has my grant been successful?!

YES!

I then burst into tears, which is most unlike me!  The shock! The relief!

I began pinging emails to my collaborators, line manager and school director...

We got it! I am off to celebrate!