Industry may apply for funding either as a lead organisation or as co-applicants with NHS or academic partners.
What types of research does the NIHR fund?
The NIHR programmes of research span the research innovation pathway, from innovation and product development, to evaluative research including large-scale, pragmatic clinical trials. NIHR funded studies undergo high quality peer review as part of an iterative process, helping to ensure an appropriate study design and methodology. This has led to the NIHR becoming internationally recognised for the quality of its research.
The table below outlines the research areas and types of evidence supported by NIHR programmes. Further information on each programme can be found beneath the table.
Broad research area
EME
HSDR
HTA
i4i
PGfAR
PDG
PHR
PRP
RfPB
SR
Public health
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Health services and organisation
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Clinical evaluation and translation
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Technology development
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
No
Yes
No
No
Social care
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Types of evidence
EME
HSDR
HTA
i4i
PGfAR
PDG
PHR
PRP
RfPB
SR
Evidence synthesis
No
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Evidence generation
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Programmes of research
No
Yes
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Eligibility:
Life sciences companies may apply as a lead applicant or co-applicant. Industry collaboration with applicants is also encouraged.
Lead applicants must be based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
Project teams must include significant contributions from at least two of the following partners: industry, academia or NHS.
Description: This programme funds studies that test the clinical efficacy of novel or repurposed interventions, where proof of concept in humans has already been achieved. It also supports the testing of mechanistic hypotheses, embedded within EME studies or other NIHR-funded projects.
For more information and for details on how to apply, visit the EME page.
* Applicants must fully justify all costs.
Eligibility:
Life sciences companies may apply as a lead applicant or co-applicant. Industry collaboration with applicants is also encouraged.
Researchers in England, Wales and Northern Ireland are eligible to apply for funding from either the Commissioned or Researcher-Led workstreams.
Researchers in Scotland may apply to the researcher-led workstream.
Description: This programme funds research to produce evidence on the quality, accessibility and organisation of health services. This includes evaluations of how the NHS might improve delivery of services. For more information and for details on how to apply, visit the HSDR page.
* Applicants must fully justify all costs.
Eligibility:
Life sciences companies may apply as a lead applicant or co-applicant. Industry collaboration with applicants is also encouraged.
Lead applicants must be based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
Further eligibility criteria around location may be included in certain funding briefs.
Description: This programme funds research about the clinical and cost effectiveness and broader impact of healthcare treatments and tests for those who plan, provide or receive care in the NHS. HTA research is undertaken where some evidence already exists to show that a technology can be effective and this needs to be compared to the current standard NHS intervention to see which works best. The term ‘health technology’ can cover any intervention used in the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of disease.
For information on current funding calls and for details on how to apply, visit the HTA page.
Eligibility:
Life sciences companies may apply to the i4i Product Development Award as a lead applicant or co-applicant.
Life sciences companies may be lead applicants or co-applicants to the i4i Challenge Award but at least one co-applicant must be an NHS organisation or NHS service provider.
Lead applicants must be based in England.
Project teams must include significant contributions from at least two of the following partners: industry, academia or NHS.
Description: This programme is a translational funding scheme that supports the development of innovative medical technologies from demonstrated proof-of-principle to clinical evaluation. It aims to de-risk early stage projects that have a strong potential for commercialisation and acceptance for use in the NHS, and to make them attractive to follow-on funders and investors.
For more information and for details on how to apply, visit the i4i page.
*SMEs can receive 100% contribution to their costs. Large companies can be involved as co-applicants but are unlikely to receive i4i funds. Applicants must fully justify all costs.
Eligibility:
Awards are made to an NHS organisation. Life sciences companies can apply with NHS and academic partners.
Description: This programme funds multidisciplinary programmes of work, which typically consist of an interrelated group of high quality projects focused on a coherent theme. These awards support work that will deliver findings with practical application, typically through improved healthcare or better healthcare delivery, within three to five years of a programme’s end.
For more information and for details on how to apply, visit the PGfAR page.
* Level of funding depends on nature of proposed work. Applicants must fully justify all costs.
Eligibility:
Awards are made to an NHS organisation. Life sciences companies can apply with NHS and academic partners.
Description: This programme is a complementary scheme to the PGfAR programme. It funds a limited amount for preparatory work necessary to strengthen aspects of an application to the PGfAR programme. For more information and for details on how to apply, visit the PDG page.
Eligibility:
Life sciences companies may apply as a lead applicant or co-applicant. Industry collaboration with applicants is also encouraged.
Lead applicants must be based in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales.
Description: This programme funds research on the benefit, cost and wider impact of non-NHS interventions intended to improve the health of the public and reduce inequalities in health. For more information and for details on how to apply, visit the PHR page.
Eligibility:
Awards are made to an NHS organisation. Life sciences companies can apply with NHS and academic partners.
Funding available: Up to £350k. Level of funding depends on nature of proposed work.
Description: This programme funds regionally derived applied research in health services and social care. The programme’s strong regional element is unique within the NIHR’s research programmes. The programme supports research that is concerned with having an impact on the health or well-being of patients and users of the NHS.
For more information and for details on how to apply, visit the RfPB page.
The NIHR Research Design Service can help companies find the most appropriate funding opportunities. There are regional centres across England which provide free and confidential design and methodological support for you when you are developing research funding applications.
Efficacy and Mechanism EvaluationThe Efficacy Mechanism and Evaluation (EME) Programme is a partnership between the Medical Research Council (MRC) and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).Health and Social Care Delivery ResearchThe HSDR Programme produces rigorous and relevant evidence to improve the quality, accessibility and organisation of health and social care services.Health Technology AssessmentThe HTA Programme funds research about the clinical and cost-effectiveness and broader impact of NHS healthcare treatments and tests.Invention for InnovationThe NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme supports the development of innovative healthcare technologies.Programme Grants for Applied ResearchNIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research funds collaborative, multidisciplinary programmes of applied research to solve health and social care challenges.Programme Development GrantsNIHR Programme Development Grants are available to carry out targeted preparatory work to strengthen a future full Programme Grants for Applied Research.Public Health ResearchWe fund research to generate evidence to inform the delivery of non-NHS interventions to improve the health of the public and reduce inequalities in health.Research for Patient BenefitThe NIHR Research for Patient Benefit programme funds health, public health and social care research to improve the lives of people with health and care needs.
