Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why is the NIHR launching a new programme?
2. How will the new programme enhance the focus on research that matters to the NHS?
3. What will be different?
4. Does the funding amount change for each research area; will budgets be ring-fenced for the two areas?
5. Are there likely to be any changes to the way research funds are awarded/the commissioning process for the new programme?
6. What does 'evaluative research' mean?
Applying to the HS&DR programme
7. When can I apply?
8. How will proposals be assessed?
9. What will the assessment timetable be?
10. How does the NIHR support applicants in developing their proposals?
11. Who can submit a proposal – is it just universities?
12. Is there a maximum duration for research projects?
13. Is there a maximum amount of funding that can be requested for one proposal?
14. Does the HS&DR programme fund clinical trials?
15. Does the HS&DR programme fund pilot and feasibility studies, either as standalone projects or linked to a full trial?
Exisiting projects and transition to HS&DR
16. What will happen to existing funded SDO and HSR projects?
17.
I have applied to a current HSR or SDO call. What will happen to my application?
Other questions
18.How do I make a research suggestion?
19. Are there opportunities for patients and the public to get involved in the HS&DR programme?
20. I have some questions not answered here – what should I do now?
1. Why is the NIHR launching a new programme?
Building on the successes and strengths of the NIHR Health Services Research and Service Delivery and Organisation programmes, a new NIHR Health Services and Delivery Research programme is to be established by merging the two existing programmes. This will allow the development of common aims and methods, focused on the public and decision makers' needs, whilst simplifying the research funding landscape, reducing bureaucracy and reducing management costs.
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2. How will the new programme enhance the focus on research that matters to the NHS?
The HSR and SDO research using communities are closely linked. The new programme will enable the research production community to better address the cross cutting needs of NHS from the patient to the manager. Bringing communities of interest together will better address gaps in knowledge to the benefit of patients and the public. Strategic gaps will be identified through engagement with stakeholders and by seeking advice from those working in the NHS and research.
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3. What will be different?
The existing HSR and SDO programme remits, aims and methods will continue on in the new programme. In addition the new programme will be keen to support ambitious evaluative research of national importance, to improve health services. This will include research on implementation and a range of knowledge mobilisation initiatives.
The new programme will have two main workstreams – one on health services research (HSR) and one on healthcare delivery research (HDR). The former will focus on research into the quality, appropriateness, effectiveness, equity and patient experience of health services. The latter will focus on evaluating models of service delivery and interventions which have the potential to improve service effectiveness, efficiency and productivity.
The new programme will be directed by Professor Ray Fitzpatrick (University of Oxford) who will also lead the HSR workstream. Professor Kieran Walshe (University of Manchester) will be the associate director and will lead the HDR workstream.
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4. Does the funding amount change for each research area; will budgets be ring-fenced for the two areas?
The current combined level of funding remains unchanged: The budgets will not be ring-fenced between the two workstreams.
The budget of the Programme will enable it to fund large studies of national and international importance that would be beyond the capacity of most other funders. Primary research projects may cost up to £2m.
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5. Are there likely to be any changes to the way research funds are awarded/the commissioning process for the new programme?
The programme will have two boards each making funding recommendations, one dealing with health services research, the other with healthcare delivery research. The health services research workstream will operate mainly by inviting bids from researchers (researcher-led), while the healthcare delivery research workstream will operate mainly by identifying topics on which to commission research (commissioned). The healthcare delivery research board will be assisted by a prioritisation panel to help it identify and commission research of most value to the NHS.
A two-stage assessment process will usually be followed. This consists of an outline application and invited full applications for those outlines shortlisted, to be considered by one of the two HS&DR Boards.
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6. What does 'evaluative research' mean?
The new programme will wish to encourage evaluations of interventions in the NHS, the results of which will be of immediate interest to the research-using community and which will be generalisable to large parts of the NHS.
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Applying to the HS&DR programme
7. When can I apply?
The HS&DR programme will launch in January 2012, with the first call for proposals under the researcher-led workstream opening at the same time. Calls under the commissioned workstream will follow in February 2012. Further detailed information about how to apply will be available at that time.
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8. How will proposals be assessed?
There will be a two stage process, similar to that in the HSR and SDO programmes. For both the commissioned and researcher-led workstreams, we will normally ask you to submit an outline proposal first. Outline proposals will be assessed to check they are within the programme remit, and the commissioning brief where relevant, and that they are competitive. They will then be considered by a Panel or Board depending on the workstream. If your proposal is shortlisted, you will have a period of around 8 weeks in which to prepare a full proposal which will be reviewed by external reviewers and then considered by a Board. See How the programme operates for more details.
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9. What will the assessment timetable be?
For the researcher-led workstream, the Board will meet for the first time in January 2012. If you apply to the first call in January, your outline proposal should be considered at the May Board and you will hear if you have been shortlisted soon afterwards.
For the commissioned workstream, the Panel and Board will meet for the first time in January and March 2012 respectively. If you apply to the first call, your outline proposal is likely to be considered for shortlisting at a Panel meeting in June.
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10. How does the NIHR support applicants in developing their proposals?
The NIHR provides specific support to help researchers develop and design high quality research proposals through the NIHR Research Design Service and through the involvement of Clinical Trials Units in your research. We strongly recommend that you contact your local RDS and Clinical Trials Unit as appropriate, to help in the development of your proposal. For further information visit: www.netscc.ac.uk/funding/developing_your_proposal.asp
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11. Who can submit a proposal – is it just universities?
Anyone who considers that they can carry out high-quality health services and delivery research can submit a proposal within the programme's remit and eligibility criteria. However, it is essential that your project team contains all the relevant expertise necessary to carry out the work, so applicants from non-academic sectors are strongly advised to consider collaborating with higher education institutions or other academic organisations in their application to the HS&DR programme.
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12. Is there a maximum duration for research projects?
There are no fixed limits on the duration of projects or funding and proposals should be tailored to address fully the identified research question (including long-term follow-up if necessary). Applicants should balance the need for the information with the need to follow up participants for an adequate amount of time to measure important outcomes.
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13. Is there a maximum amount of funding that can be requested for one proposal?
The programme does not set limits although there may be a maximum set for a particular call – this will be clearly stated in the commissioning brief. Proposals will be assessed for value for money and whether costs are appropriate for the suggested research. Applicants should ensure that proposals are adequately costed as the programme does not normally grant variations to contracts.
The HS&DR programme aims to develop a balanced portfolio of projects. We will be particularly interested in funding large scale studies of national importance. This means primary research projects which:
- Address an issue of major strategic importance to the NHS, with the costs in line with the significance of the problem to be investigated
- Are likely to lead to changes in practice that will have a significant impact on a large number of patients across the UK
- Aim to fill a clear 'evidence gap', and are likely to generate new knowledge of direct relevance to the NHS
- Have the potential for findings to be applied to other conditions or situations outside the immediate area of research
- Bring together a team with strong expertise and track record across the full range of relevant disciplines
- Will be carried out across more than one research site.
If you are planning a project of this type you may wish to refer to the MRC Complex Interventions Framework.
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14. Does the HS&DR programme fund clinical trials?
Under the researcher-led workstream, the HS&DR programme does not set any restrictions on the types of methodology that can be used. For commissioned calls, any guidance or requirements about the methodology to be used will be set out in the relevant commissioning brief. Study designs need to be justified and fully explained in proposals.
A randomised controlled trial could fall within the remit of the programme as long as it relates to a health service-oriented issue. The HTA programme funds RCTs of new health technologies. If you are considering a trial you should contact a Clinical Trials Unit for advice.
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15. Does the HS&DR programme fund pilot and feasibility studies, either as standalone projects or linked to a full trial?
The HS&DR programme can fund pilot and feasibility studies where these relate to health service issues; on occasion this may be set out as a requirement in a commissioning brief. The programme can also fund pilot and feasibility studies as one phase of a larger study that includes a subsequent trial. However, in these cases there would be a review point following the pilot or feasibility phase, before funding for the trial could be released. Alternatively a pilot and/or feasibility study may be funded with the proposal for a subsequent full trial submitted as a separate application. Please contact us if you would like further information.
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Existing projects and transition to HS&DR
16. What will happen to existing funded SDO and HSR projects?
The existing HSR and SDO remits, aims and therefore portfolios will continue into the new programme. The current arrangements for monitoring of existing funded projects remain in place. Deadlines and milestones are unchanged, and monitoring practice by the current secretariat will continue to support projects.
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17. I have applied to a current HSR or SDO call. What will happen to my application?
Both the HSR and SDO programmes have calls closing in autumn/winter 2011. Applications to these calls will be transferred into the HS&DR programme for assessment, and the criteria and guidance under which you applied will remain the same. There will not be any significant change to the assessment processes. Likewise, if you are developing a full proposal, or have recently submitted, this will be considered by an HS&DR Board but there will not be any change to the process or criteria.
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Other questions
18. How do I make a research suggestion?
Anyone can suggest a research topic or idea for the HS&DR programme to consider. If you would like to suggest an area relating to healthcare where you feel more research is needed, please send it to hsdrinfo@southampton.ac.uk.
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19. Are there opportunities for patients and the public to get involved in the HS&DR programme?
The HS&DR programme is committed to involving patients and the public at all stages of the funding process. Members of the public need to be involved in research because research that takes account of the views, experience and understanding of members of the public is more likely to provide useful results for the NHS. In particular, we are always interested in hearing from people who might be able to act as a public reviewer and we sometimes have vacancies for public contributors on Boards or the Panel – see Get Involved for details.
If you would like to know more about public involvement in NETS programmes, please contact our PPI team at netsppi@southampton.ac.uk
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20. I have some questions not answered here – what should I do now?
If you still have questions that are not covered on the website, you can contact us at the following address: hsdrinfo@southampton.ac.uk
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V2.0 01 December 2011 |
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