Funding Opportunities
Funding for research
There are many sources of funding opportunities for applied health research including the NIHR, Research Councils and major charities. We work with people developing grant applications mainly on National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding programmes. Our Project Review Committee provides an excellent opportunity for researchers to obtain a critical review of a proposed grant application before this is sent to a funding body.
Find out more about the different NIHR funding programmes below.
Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) Programme
Trials of the efficacy of treatments in controlled settings, sometimes using proxy or intermediate measures of a health outcome.
Evidence Synthesis Programme
Research funding to help health and social care decision makers.
Global Health Research (GHR)
Research that directly addresses the diverse health needs of people in low and middle income countries (LMICs).
Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme
Research funding to improve access, quality and organisation of health and social care services.
Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme
Research funding to help plan and provide NHS and social care services.
Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme
Support for the development of innovative healthcare technologies.
Policy Research Programme (PRP) Programme
Research funding to support national policy in health, care and public health systems.
Programme Development Grants (PDG)
Grants for research teams preparing a Programme Grants for Applied Research application
Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR)
Programme funding for applied research, to solve health and social care challenges.
Public Health Research (PHR) Programme
Research funding to improve public health and reduce inequalities in health.
Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) Programme
Health, public health and social care research funding, to improve lives.
Research for Social Care (RfSC) Programme
Annual funding to produce research to improve, expand and strengthen adult social care.
NIHR Themed Calls
Themed research calls are issued by the NIHR to meet an identified health challenge or government priority. Calls for funding will be promoted in advance whenever possible and clearly advertised on NIHR websites. All research programmes, including NIHR fellowships, will participate in the themed call as far as their remit allows. Further details about the current themed calls can be found on the NIHR website.
Funding for training and career development
The NIHR provides career development and support for aspiring researchers, from initial pre-doctoral training to senior post-doctoral research.
- Research Professorships
Higher Education Institution 5-year awards for academics. - Integrated Clinical Academic Programme
Annual Clinical Fellowships and Clinical Lectureships funding for doctors and dentists. - Academic Career Development in NIHR Infrastructure and NIHR Schools
Masters, Doctoral and other formal training awards for aspiring health and care researchers. - Leaders Support and Development Programme
A leadership programme in health and social care, for early to mid-career researchers. - Senior Investigators
Funding for leaders of patient and people-based research.