The NIHR Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme is inviting outline applications for its researcher-led route, which funds research on how health and social care services are organised, delivered and accessed. You choose the question, but the findings have to meet the needs of NHS and social care managers and leaders. Outline applications close at 1pm on 20 January 2027.
This is a two-stage funding opportunity (reference 2026/529). You submit an outline first, and if shortlisted you are invited to complete a full application.
What it funds
HSDR funds defined research projects, not programmes of work or ongoing work, so you need clear research questions, aims and objectives, and a method that is likely to achieve them. There are no fixed limits on project length, budget or the number of co-applicants, but every cost has to be justified as good value for the NHS and social care, and the programme will scrutinise any change in costs between the outline and full application.
NIHR is frank that this is a highly competitive scheme because demand keeps rising. It advises applicants to show clearly in the research plan how the study lines up with important system and service priorities, whether those set out in the Government’s 10-year health plan, those identified by national health and care stakeholders, or the topics in NIHR themed funding opportunities.
You can also embed a methodological sub-study, such as a study within a trial or project. NIHR is particularly interested in sub-studies that look at practical ways to cut the environmental impact of research.
Does it fit dementia research?
If your work looks at how dementia care and support are delivered, in hospitals, primary care, care homes or the community, this is one of the main national routes for it. For a sense of the kind of service-focused research HSDR backs, read about improving care for care home residents through data linkage and NIHR support for social care research.
If your study answers a priority identified by a James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnership, HSDR is running a separate JLA rolling call with the same deadline.
What your application needs to show
The outline asks you to explain which needs your research meets. You do not have to cover them all, but the programme looks for:
- a clear health or care need, and the benefit to patients, carers or the public
- evidence that health and care managers have asked for research in this area
- a question that will stay relevant to the NHS in the future
- a genuine knowledge gap that existing research cannot fill
- findings that services elsewhere can use to make decisions and bring about change
- work that builds on, but does not duplicate, what has already been done
You also need to show how the existing evidence supports your proposal. If a systematic review already summarises it, cite that and anything published since. If not, you are expected to carry out and summarise your own structured review of the evidence, and to reference relevant ongoing studies from trial registries.
The outline application
Your research plan can run to five A4 pages, and anything beyond that will not be considered. It should cover the background and rationale, the problem you are addressing, your review of the evidence, your aims and objectives, and your methods, including study design, sample size and analysis. Include a timeline with milestones and a justified recruitment rate, and explain whether a Clinical Trials Unit will be involved or why one is not needed.
Two uploads are mandatory: a single-page flow diagram showing the study design and flow of participants or work packages, and a single-page PDF of references. Do not upload a logic model or anything in the flexible upload slot, as these will be removed. The programme also asks you to consider whether UK Biobank data could serve your study before setting up a new cohort.
Key dates
- 13 October 2026: outline applications open
- 20 January 2027, 1pm: outline applications close
- late March or early April 2027: shortlisting decision, and full applications open
- June 2027: full applications close
- August 2027: funding decision
How to apply
Apply through NIHR’s new awards management system, where you may need to create a new account. Read all the guidance on the funding page first, including the research inclusion guidance on sex, gender and inclusive design. Questions about your application go to hsdrinfo@nihr.ac.uk. If you are based in England, the NIHR Research Support Service can help you develop your proposal. Before you start writing, listen to our podcast on grant writing tips from awardees and reviewers.
Read the full details and apply
Visit funding web page
(https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/hsdr-researcher-led/2026529)