A new contract of more than £50 million from the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) has been awarded to 10 NHS organisations and higher education institutions to provide Research Design Services.
The NIHR Research Design Service (RDS) supports researchers to develop high quality research proposals for submission to NIHR funding programmes and other open, national, peer reviewed funding competitions, for health or social care research.
Applications to host a Research Design Service were invited from NHS organisations and higher education institutions in England with proven expertise in research methodology and design. The NIHR has commissioned 10 regional Research Design Services and together they will form a national network, liaising with each other to develop a consistent service to the research community.
RDS London is part of this national network and will receive £6.3 million from the new contract. The funding – which will be provided over five years from 1 October 2018 – will allow RDS London to continue offering free and confidential advice, drawing on a unique breadth of experience and a proven track record in improving funding applications.
RDS London is a collaborative project, led by King’s College London in partnership with Imperial College London, Queen Mary University of London and University College London. The consultancy service has been funded for 10 years prior to this round of funding and the advice offered by the RDS to researchers represents a key contribution to the NIHR’s commitment to delivery of high quality health and social care research.
The funding will also enable RDS London to provide a tailored offer to social care researchers and support them in addressing the key issues in social care as part of our wider programme of support for research grant applicants.
Professor Charles Wolfe, Director of RDS London says:
“London universities and their associated hospitals have been successful again in bidding for infrastructure funding for health research design and we can be proud that we have worked so collaboratively over the last 10 years to sustain and innovate our research design offering that benefits patients and the public in London.”
Dr Peter Lovell, Deputy Director of RDS London says:
“We’re delighted to hear this news. RDS London will continue to lead the way in bringing together health and social care professionals with academics and service users and help them to fully develop and refine their ideas into high quality research grant applications. We’re grateful to the NIHR for their continued support in this endeavour.”
Practicing GP, Pippa Oakeshott says:
“Research Design Service has helped me extensively with many applications. The continued funding means they will be able to help healthcare professionals, like me, on how to write a good grant application, something that few people have been previously taught.”
Notes to editors:
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR): improving the health and wealth of the nation through research.
Established by the Department of Health and Social Care, the NIHR:
- funds high quality research to improve health
- trains and supports health researchers
- provides world-class research facilities
- works with the life sciences industry and charities to benefit all
- involves patients and the public at every step.
