News > Funding

This page outlines some of the latest calls for proposals that may be of interest to primary healthcare researchers. Please also consult our Information section for details on the new funding streams from the NIHR Programme.

 

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Trent RDSU Research Funding Update

To join the mailing list for the research funding updates or to request a funding search please contact Anna Wilkinson on 0114 2220894 or by email a.j.wilkinson@sheffield.ac.uk


NIHR – Research Capacity Development 2008 recruitment for Dental Academic Clinical Fellowships

Academic Clinical Fellowships in Dentistry are available to dentists in the early stages of specialty training who can demonstrate outstanding potential for development as a clinical academic in research and/or education. The RCD website will direct applicants to the relevant deanery(ies) websites. The deaneries will confirm the availability of posts and agree the deadline for application submission. 

Association for Perioperative Practice (incorporating National Association of Theatre Nurses - NATN)

Awards are open to full members of the AfPP. 

Education and Research Fellowship Fund. The ERFF funds courses, study days, conferences, and those wishing to undertake research. Applications are considered quarterly - see the website for more details.Contact: Helen Barden

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research programme: fifth competition

The Programme Grants for Applied Research programme invites outline applications in all areas of applied health research from NHS organisations working with an academic partner. For further details visit the website, closing date for applications 6 October

MRC methodology research fellowship

The MRC methodology research fellowship is a post-doctoral award aimed at providing a period of specialist training in health research methodology. 
The scheme is open to applicants who wish to pursue methods development research training in any area of health research ranging from basic experimental and observational science, through to clinical trials and applied public health research. Proposals are likely to involve developing and applying innovative methodologies in one or more of the following disciplines: health economics; biostatistics, bioinformatics; modelling, decision sciences, epidemiology; clinical trials; behavioural sciences; health psychology, qualitative methodologies and mixed methods, medical sociology and medical geography. 
The fellowship provides the fellow’s competitive salary, research training costs (in and/or outside the UK), research consumables expenses, travel costs and capital equipment appropriate for the research project, and all other relevant costs under Full Economic Costs (FEC). An MRC Methodology research fellowship may be awarded for any period up to four years. For further details visit the website. Closing date: 10 October



Independent Evaluation of the RCGP Primary Medical Care Provider Accreditation Scheme

To undertake an evaluation of the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) Primary Medical Care Provider Accreditation Scheme. 
Lord Darzi's Next Stage Review has stated the Government's support for provider accreditation schemes, such as the Primary Medical Care Provider Accreditation Scheme (PMCPA), being developed by the RCGP. A team from the National Primary Care Research and Development Centre (NPCRDC) is working with the RCGP to develop the Scheme to be piloted with 40 providers over a six-month period from June to November 2008. Building on the internal, formative evaluation of the pilot scheme that NPCRDC will be undertaking for the RCGP during November to January 2009, the Department of Health is inviting proposals to undertake an independent evaluation of the PMCPA pilot over a six-month period following on from this. 
All applications are to be submitted electronically through the NIHR Central Commissioning Facility (NIHR-CCF), which manages the on-line application process and provides the secretariat for the commissioning process for the DH Policy Research Programme. 
 
For general enquiries phone : 0208 943 7663/8979,  or visit the website closing date: 13 October

NIHR SDO Programme: Research on the Practice of Health Care Commissioning

A maximum of £3 million over 3 years is available for projects of up to three years’ duration with a maximum of £475,000 available per project. A range of projects in both size and duration will be considered. Projects should start no later than May 2009. The application process will be in two-stages, with outline proposal applications being invited in the first instance. For further details visit the website

The deadline for submission of outline proposals is Thursday 16 October  at 1.00 pm.

DoH - Policy Research Programme - A Systematic Review of the Causes of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

The purpose of this systematic review is to help to strengthen the evidence base on the causes of ADHD in both children and adults. The findings of this systematic review will: - Inform the development of preventative measures - Help to facilitate the development of new and effective treatments - Provide evidence-based information for families and carers - Contribute to the development of a framework for clinical management - Ensure that resources are targeted appropriately. The research brief invites full proposals to undertake a research project over a nine-month period. 
The Department expect that the project will be delivered within a cost £70,000 including FEC or VAT. For details visit the website, closing date 17 October.

DoH - Policy Research Programme - The Incidence and Prevalence of Schizophrenia and Psychosis and Associated Aetiological Factors

The review objectives should include efforts to: - Identify any recent discernable trends in incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia and, more broadly, psychosis, in England; - Identify factors influencing the incidence and/or prevalence of, firstly schizophrenia and secondly, other psychoses, including but not limited to ethnicity, substance misuse and environmental influences such as social deprivation and urbanicity. This should include efforts to identify incidence and prevalence within relevant population sub-groups; - Evaluate the influence of each associated aetiological factor on observed trends in the incidence and prevalence of schizophrenia and psychotic illnesses more generally. 
The Department expects that the project will be delivered within a cost £70,000 including FEC or VAT. For details visit the website, closing date 17 October.

Epilepsy Research UK - project grants

 For grants to support a research project lasting a maximum of three years. Applications for smaller sums to support salary costs, purchase of equipment, or student fees are also welcome. Funding, any sum up to £100,000. 
Short-listed candidates will be required to submit a full proposal in early January 2009 and be interviewed in February/March 2009. Final funding decisions are made in March 2009. 
Candidates should be graduates in medicine or one of the allied sciences. They should be resident in the United Kingdom and affiliated to an academic institution in the United Kingdom.
For details phone: 020 8995 478, or visit the website, closing date: 17 October

HTA Clinical trials - outline proposals

Researchers are invited to submit outline proposals for primary research (which generate new data) to assess the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of health technologies in, or likely to be in, NHS practice. Applications will be considered four times a year from 2009. Applications in the field of mental health would be particularly welcome for our next deadline, in areas not already well covered by our portfolio. The outline proposal application form, commissioning brief and guidance notes are available on the HTA programme website,  tel: 023 8059 5621 (24 hour answer phone), Fax: 023 8059 5639 or email quote reference [CT07] Proposals must reach the NCCHTA offices before 1pm on Tuesday 21 October 2008.

Marjorie Simpson New Researcher Award

The award is available to new or inexperienced researchers, currently undertaking a postgraduate course of study leading to a higher degree (MSc, MPhil, PhD). The award is a free place at the RCN annual international nursing research conference, and will cover the cost of the conference fees, conference accommodation and up to 100GBP travel costs.For further details visit the website. Closing date for applications: 31 October

Alzheimer's Society - Research fellowships

Applications are invited from scientists who have completed their research training or medically qualified individuals who wish to pursue an academic career for a two or three-year period to develop their own research interest. The next deadline is 31 October 2008. Contact: Alzheimer's Society or visit the website 

The Prostate Cancer Charity

i) Project, PhD Studentship, and Clinical Research Fellowship grants. The Call for Research Proposals 2008/09 is now open for basic, translational, clinical, and psychosocial research. For details visit the website, the deadline for applications is 11 November. 

MRC - Methods research programme (MRP) – needs-led research

Methods to specify the targeted difference in randomised controlled trials
Proposals are invited to provide a critical review the existing methods for identifying the TD, identifying the advantages and disadvantages associated with each. The research should also consider other methodological issues associated with identifying TDs that are common across methods. These issues include:

1. Which groups should have a role in identifying the TD (patients, general population, clinicians, health-care funder or society)?
2. Should the TD reflect expectations or demands?
3. How should the TD be measured (e.g. relative vs. absolute risk)?
4. How should costs, risks and harms (and any uncertainty surrounding estimates of these variables, particularly for new treatments) be incorporated into the TD?
5. How do methods of setting TDs help to ensure that the results of the trial will persuade clinicians working in the field?

Only one proposal will be funded. The work should be completed within 12 months. For further details visit the website, deadline for commissioned proposals: 4pm 17 November.

MRC - Addiction research strategy

 First call for pilot research proposals. For further details visit the website. Deadline for proposals 19 November. 

The NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) programme

The NIHR Public Health Research programme will be launched in the Autumn of 2008. The first call for proposals will be in mid-November, and will welcome both outline and full proposals. The call for proposals will close in January 2009 with funding decisions due to be made in May. Visit the website in early October to receive further details on how to submit  proposals. It is possible to register  interest in the NIHR Public Health Research programme by email

Maureen Acland award for research and development

To recognise and promote research and development in community, primary and public health nursing. For details email Anne Pearson or visit the website Closing date 26 January



Alzheimer's Society - Project grants

Applications are invited from established researchers for support for periods between one to three years. . Contact Alzheimer's Society or visit the website. The next deadline is 30 January 2009 



Research for Patient Benefit

The main aim of the RfPB scheme is to support projects in Health Services Research and Public Health. Projects can be either quantitative or qualitative, and should aim to:
  • Study the way that NHS services are provided and used
  • Evaluate whether interventions are effective and provide value for money
  • Examine whether alternative means for providing healthcare would be more effective in terms of cost and effectiveness
  • Formally assess innovations and developments in healthcare

Individual project grants will fund research projects rather than set up or maintain research units, or new service developments. Project Grants will be the most common type of grant awarded under the programme. They will normally be up to  36 months in duration with a total maximum cost of £250.000. For more information visit the website.
The following dates have been set as deadlines for pre-registration and submission:

Registrations of Intention can currently be made for Competition 6

Competition 5
Registration of intention to submit deadline 10 December 2007, 5 PM
Submission Deadline 21 January 2008, 5 PM
Declaration and Signatures deadline 28 January 2008, 5 PM
Submission Outcome Late June 2008
 
Competition 6
Registration of intention to submit deadline 08 April 2008, 5 PM
Submission Deadline 20 May 2008, 5 PM
Declaration and Signatures deadline 27 May 2008, 5 PM
Submission Outcome Mid November 2008
 
Competition 7
Registration of intention to submit deadline 22 August 2008, 5 PM
Submission Deadline 03 October 2008, 5 PM
Declaration and Signatures deadline 10 October 2008, 5 PM
Submission Outcome Late February 2009
 

Applicants should be notified of the outcome of their application within 17 weeks of the deadline for submission date.

For guidance on completing an application to the RfPB programme follow this link.

For any enquiries, contact the helpline on 020 8943 8990 or follow this link.

Current submission deadline 21 January 2008 



NIHR – Research Capacity Development 2008 recruitment for Clinical Lectureship posts

Clinical Lectureships are available for people who are advanced in their specialty training, have completed a research doctorate or equivalent and show outstanding potential for continuing a career in academic medicine or dentistry. Those who hold a National Training Number (NTN) and a PhD or MD are eligible to apply. For further details visit the website Applications can be made between 1 April 2008 and 31 March 2009. 

Postgraduate research studentships

Open University Faculty of Health and Social Care

The Faculty of Health and Social Care at The Open University is seeking applications from suitably qualified candidates for two fully funded postgraduate research studentships commencing October 2008. The first studentship, part-funded by the OU-RCN Strategic Alliance, is for a study investigating the impact of Continuing Professional Education on practice. The second is an 'open' studentship and suggested topics include: parenting; children and young people; ageing; end of life; learning difficulties; participative methodology; nursing; social work. For further details visit the website. Closing date for applications: 31 July

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Service Delivery and Organisation (SDO) Programme

The NIHR SDO Programme continues to commission research on service delivery and organisation issues in national priority areas. One of these areas is research related to diabetes services.

i) Ref. D245: A scoping exercise on the organisation and delivery of diabetes services in the United Kingdom. One project of up to nine months' duration may be funded to a maximum of 90K GBP. The project is expected to start no later than November 2008. The application process will be one-stage, with full proposal applications being invited. For further details visit the website. Closing date 7 August.

Parkinson’s Disease Society PhD Studentship Scheme

The PhD studentship scheme will provide funding over a three year period to students based at a UK Higher Education Institution. Students will receive a stipend (with London weighting), full PhD tuition fees (at the UK/EU rate) and a contribution towards research costs. Applications are welcomed from all Parkinson's disciplines, and there will be funding available for an additional studentship examining the role of beta-synuclein in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s. Applications must be made by the potential candidate’s supervisor who must be based at a UK university, Hospital or Research Institute. In order to allow recruitment of the most able students early in their final year, the final decision on the studentships will be made in December 2008 for appointment in summer/autumn of the following year. For further details visit the website, closing date: 29th August 

NIHR Service Delivery and Organisation (SDO) Programme

The NIHR Service Delivery and Organisation Programme wishes to commission research on a whole system transformation programme, including the introduction and use of lean management in healthcare organisations.

Ref. LM255: Evaluating a whole system transformation of a group of healthcare provider and commissioning organisations based on Toyota production system. One project of three years' duration is expected in the first instance and may be funded up to a maximum of 500,000GBP. The project should be planned to commence in January 2009. The application process will be one-stage, with full proposal applications being invited. It is expected that a small number of shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview in early December 2008. For further details visit the website. Deadline for applications: 2 October.


The Royal College of General Practitioners Project Grants

The RCGP funds project of direct relevance to general practice, undertaken in the UK. Applications from young/new researchers, practicing GPs and other members of primary healthcare teams will be favoured. There is currently no deadline set for 2006 entries. For more information visit the website.

King's Fund Development Grants

Most of these grants are given for work in priority areas which are currently: Increase equity and justice: tackle inequalities in health; Promote racial and cultural diversity in health; Encourage public, user and patient involvement; Promote better work across organisational and professional boundaries. The Committee meets five times a year in February, May, July, October and December. Applications should be sent at least three months before the data of the Committee meeting and at least four months before the work is planned to start. For more information visit the website or contact Z Kahn.

Cancer Research UK core Skills and Training Bursaries Fund

The Core Skills and Training Bursaries Fund will support those who have identified a particular short-term training need and aims to encourage clinical staff and individuals in professions allied to medicine to undertake research training in a cancer-related field. For further information see website. No Closing date.

The Insulin Dependent Diabetes Trust

invites applications for its research grants. Funds of up to c£5,400 are offered for research in the field of diabetes in primary care. New ways of thinking about and treating diabetes are of particular interest to the trust. Consumer experience and involvement in the research are especially encouraged. For further information see website. No Closing date.

ESRC Research Grants Scheme

The Research Grants Scheme awards range from £15,00 to £1.5 million to undertake anything from a small project through to a large-scale survery. There is considerable flexibility when it comes to subject area as long as it falls within ESRC's remit. For more information, visit the website. There are no fixed closing dates.

MS Trust Research Grants

The Trust's objectives are to relieve people with multiple sclerosis primarily by promoting or assisting in the promotion of projects, education and research which have a patient based approach and which are concerned with the clinical management of multiple sclerosis and the publication of the useful results of such projects and research. For further information visit the website Apply anytime.

Social Care Institute for Excellence - Open Tender

The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE), the organisation responsible for developing and promoting good practice in social care, is reviewing the way it commissions its work in a way that develops capacity and encourages collaborative work. We hope to encourage smaller, user-led organisations to bid for work and to develop and encourage new ways of working. We believe that this will enable us to draw on a wider range of providers and will lead to a more efficient commissioning process and better quality work. We would like to hear from service user groups, service provider groups, academic institutions and individual consultants who wish to register for future commissions. All applicants must be willing to consider collaboration with other registered providers on future projects. The work will include research reviews, practice surveys and contributions to the production of SCIE guides or other products. Applicants will be asked to prepare a presentation to demonstrate their capacity to meet SCIE’s commissioning needs. Successful applicants will initially be registered for a period of three years. For more information, visit the website.

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