In this kind of research, researchers are working with cells or laboratory animals like mice or rats (sometimes called the ‘mouse model’)
rather than patients. Your involvement is therefore likely to be relatively simple. Ask them how their research will eventually impact on real patients. Make sure they have a plan for having consumers involved if they are awarded funding. Finally, make sure the ‘lay summary’ of their research is clear and easy to understand. Your role in a project that doesn’t involve humans will probably be less active.