The NIHR Public Health Research Funding Call (PHR) is inviting outline applications to its researcher-led workstream. This means that you can submit any relevant research that falls within the scope of the PHR Programme.
While this opportunity is researcher-led, there are some research topics that are continued areas of interest for us, and we encourage applications in these areas. However, applications are not required to address or include these research areas.
PHR Programme continued areas of interest
We welcome applications in the following areas:
- workforce health
- healthy homes
- suicide prevention
NIHR highlight notices
We welcome applications in the following areas:
- work and health
- brain tumours
See the ‘Details’ section for more information about our continued areas of interest.
This is a 2-stage funding opportunity. To apply for the first stage you should submit an outline application. If invited to the second stage, you will then need to complete a full application.
Eligibility
This funding opportunity is open to all relevant research areas within the PHR Programme’s scope.
Methodological sub-studies: Studies Within A Trial/Review/Project
This funding opportunity is eligible for a methodological sub-study, which can help significantly improve methodology of future research as well as the host study. Sub-studies can also support the decarbonisation of research.
Find out more about methodological sub-studies, how to include them in your application, and the requirements of different research programmes.
Details
This PHR Programme researcher-led funding opportunity is open to all relevant research areas within the scope and remit of the programme.
The PHR Programme funds high-quality studies that evaluate the impact of real-world, non-NHS interventions on health and health inequalities in the UK. Studies should focus on the wider determinants of health with meaningful health-related outcomes, and should have the potential to create impact at population level.
Applications must give robust evidence for the need, value and importance of the research to the public. Additionally, successful applications must:
- demonstrate a robust methodology and study design and clear objectives
- include patient and public involvement
- address health inequalities and vulnerable populations
- evidence engagement with existing related literature or guidance
PHR Programme continued areas of interest
While encouraged, applications to researcher-led funding opportunities are not required to address or include the areas of research interest or highlight notices listed here.
If you are responding to an area of research interest or highlight notice, please indicate this in the application form in Section 6, Question 1 ‘What is the problem being addressed?
The commissioned funding opportunities advertised by PHR are often broad in scope. Even after a funding opportunity has closed, evidence gaps within a topic area can remain. These then become ‘continued areas of research interest’; topics we have previously advertised as independent funding opportunities, but haven’t funded research against the full scope of the research specification.
We welcome new applications from applicants who were unable to apply to the original funding opportunity, and re-applications that sufficiently address the committee feedback already provided.
Current continued areas of research interest where we would welcome further applications are:
NIHR highlight notices
Highlight notices spotlight ongoing health research priorities across NIHR programmes. The NIHR has a continued interest in receiving research proposals in these areas, and encourages collaborative applications that demonstrate how they build on recent initiatives and investment in the areas made by the NIHR.
The PHR Programme is currently participating in the following highlight notices:
Visit funding web page
(https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/phr-researcher-led/2026494)
