Applying to the NIHR - Info Day - 11 April

The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) funds NHS-related research, including social care and public health. Last year it gave out over £200m of research grants through a range of programmes. 

This event will provide an overview of the NIHR and will offer help and advice on key elements of an NIHR proposal. A range of experienced academics, managers and administrators will be on hand to discuss your proposal, including members of the NIHR, the Research Design Service SE and Kent’s Research Services.

The event is free but places are limited, so please book early via the Eventbrite page: bit.ly/nihrday

10.00-10.15 Registration and coffee

10.15-10.30 Welcome 

                    Bridget Carpenter (Co-director NIHR Research Design Service South East)

10.30-10.45 Overview of NIHR Funding 

                    Annette King (Academic Lead RDS SE)

                    What is the NIHR and what are its funding programmes?

10.45-11.20 Designing an Effective Project 

                     Dr Gail Gilchrist (University of Greenwich)

                    What issues do you face when designing a study for funding?

11.20-12.00 Costing a Proposal 

                     (tbc)

                    What research funders will and won’t pay out.

12.00-12.30 Incorporating Statistics 

                    Dr Eryl Bassett (Statistician RDS SE)

                   What to include in a proposal and examples of how to do it.

12.30-13.30 Lunch

13.30-14.00 Involving Patients and the Public 

                    Amanda Bates & Ferhana Hashem (RDS SE)

                    What it means and why it’s more than ticking a box.

14.00-14.30 A Researcher’s Experience 

                    Dr Kate Hamilton-West (University of Kent)

                    Securing funding for, and running, NIHR studies.

14.30-15.10 The Other Side of the Fence: the view from  the Advisory Board 

                    Prof Ray Fitzpatrick (HS&DR Programme Director) & Prof Stephen Peckham (Director CHSS)

                    Common mistakes in grant applications and tips for success.

from 15.30 RDS Clinic

                   RDS Advisors, Statisticians and Patient and Public Involvement Officers will be available to discuss your proposal. For more information about the clinic, please contact Ferhana Hashem (F.Hashem@kent.ac.uk)

Patient & Public Involvement

At the NIHR Day last week Amanda Bates (Research Design Service South East) and Alison Ford (NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre) gave an overview of why patients and the public should be involved in the design and management of a research project.

Why involve patients and the public?
Whilst it's an integral and necessary part of any NIHR application, involving those who will be affected by the research has considerable benefits, and you shouldn't see it as just a box-ticking exercise. Patient and public involvement (PPI) could provide different perspectives on the research, and demonstrate the relevance of your research to lives of those affected. It may give you privileged access to valuable experience and expertise, and would demonstrate your willingness to be transparent in your research.

So who are they?
Patients or the public could be anyone; we are all fit into this category. It depends on the focus of your research, of course, but could include:

• people who provide unpaid care or support;
• parents or guardians;
• people who use health and social care services;
• people with disabilities;
• members of the public who might be targeted by health promotion, public health or social care;
• groups asking for research because they believe that they have been exposed to potentially harmful substances or products;
• organisations that represent people who use health and social care services.

So how do I involve them?
PPI can happen at any time of the research process, from planning (even right at the beginning, when you're identifying the research topic, through to the prioritisation process or designing the project), to conducting the research, collecting the data, analysing it, reporting and disseminating the findings. In terms of getting external people on board, there are a number of ways of identifying those who might be interested:

• asking patients in clinics, or finding a clinician who will ask for you;
• using 'word of mouth' amongst colleagues; 
• via patient or user groups at local GP practices;
• holding an open event;
• finding local support groups, charities etc;
• via the RDS SE (see below).

You should make sure that they know what is expected of them, and that they are properly reimbursed for their time. You should allow time for positive working relationships to develop, and should ensure that the research environment is physically - and intellectually - accessible. For example, make sure that those with physical disabilities can access meetings, and that you avoid or explain any specific language or jargon.

If you want to explore PPI further, you should get in touch with RDS SE. You can even apply for a small award (£350) that will help with the costs of involving people in the design of a study at an early stage.