NIHR Programme Development Grants – 17/07/19

NIHR Programme Development Grants

These grants are designed to support preparatory and background work required to develop project proposals under the full National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) scheme.

Fund Information

Funding body: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)
Maximum value: £ 100,000
Application deadline: 17/07/2019

Application Procedure

There are three competitions a year, which typically launch in February, June and October.

The following key dates apply to this scheme:

Competition 25

  • Competition launch: 28 May 2019
  • Submission deadline: 17 July 2019 (1pm)
  • Submission outcome: mid-December 2019

Competition 26

  • Competition launch: 26 September 2019
  • Submission deadline: 20 November 2019 (1pm)
  • Submission outcome: mid-April 2020

Applications must be submitted using the NIHR secure research management system (RMS).

Extended Description

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) works to maintain a health-related research system in which the NHS supports outstanding researchers, based in world-class facilities, engaged in cutting edge research focusing on the needs of patients and the public.

Acting as a pre-cursor to the Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) scheme, the sole purpose of NIHR’s Programme Development Grants is to increase the rate and number of successful applications by supporting applicants in the preparatory work required for a full PGfAR. As a mechanism to address and rectify areas of perceived limitation in applying for a full PGfAR, this scheme aims to position and equip a research team in submitting a competitive application in the future.

Applications are accepted in all areas of applied health research, as well as within the priority areas identified by themed calls or highlight notices.

Applicants must:

  • Identify the fundamental limitations that need to be addressed before a full programme of research can be undertaken.
  • Detail the necessary preparatory work, indicating how completion of this would eliminate any limitations and enable the research team to develop a credible PGfAR application.
  • Describe the research to be undertaken should a PGfAR be awarded.

Activities eligible for funding include:

  • Selection or development of interventions or measures of outcome.
  • Pilot/feasibility studies to establish recruitment and participant retention rates, provide evidence for sample size calculations, optimise delivery of the intervention, etc.
  • Strengthening of existing collaborations with methodological experts required to deliver the proposed research programme.

Only primary research that is informed by a review of the existing literature will be funded.

Eligibility Criteria

NHS organisations and providers of NHS services in England can apply, in collaboration with an appropriate academic partner or partners. Bids may be made by research consortia including more than one NHS organisation or other provider of NHS services.

Academic partners may be located outside of England on the provision that a convincing case is made that the chosen partner is best placed to provide academic input.