Steph Garfield-Birkbeck Assistant Director NIHR Evaluation Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre, University of Southampton

The NIHR Health Research System

Research with the capacity to improve patient outcomes and NHS services Clinical research (not only trials) Not –Discovery science –Animal What is Applied Research?

Joint calls Facilitating researchers, speeding review Transfers between NIHR programmes Active collaboration between programmes Directors' meetings Meeting with networks NIHR as a system NETSCC HS&DR HTA EME PHR CCF i4i PGfAR RfPB Clinical Research Networks TCC Fellowships

NETSCC: Established: 2008 NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies (NETS) programmes - from 2012 Health Technology Assessment Established: 1993 Health Services and Delivery Research Established: January 2012 Public Health Research Established: 2008 Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Funded by the MRC and NIHR, managed by NIHR Established: 2008 Systematic Review Established: 2012 (previously known as Reviews Infrastructure)

Science Added The secretariat adds value to the research progress through –Clinical and methodological input –Steering prioritisation –dissemination Projects are funded on the basis of the needs of the health service –Not the scientific interest of the project Needs Led Programme Characteristics

Researcher Led Open calls for researchers to apply for funding for their own topics and questions Applications are prioritised in terms of NHS or other information needs Starts with the information needs of decision makers Topics are refined and prioritised by people with expertise in the field, and commissioning briefs are advertised Commissioned Workstreams All applications assesses against the same ‘needs’ and ‘quality’ standards

Research themes Technology evaluation Health services and organisation Public health EMEXX HS&DRXX HTAXXX PHRX SRXXX

Which NIHR Research Programme i4i – translational R&D projects aimed at cultivating new techniques or technologies into innovative interventions to address healthcare needs EME – exploratory trials, less pragmatic, phase 2-3, efficacy, mechanisms if possible HTA – systematic reviews, large multicentre pragmatic trials or other studies (phase 3-4), effectiveness in the NHS HS&DR – organisational, patient experience and access to services, qualitative or other PHR - evaluates public health interventions PGfAR – a broad range of interlinking health services research projects, generating a variety of outputs. RfPB – max £350k for up to three years, awards made to NHS bodies Fellowships – doctoral, postdoctoral and senior fellowships

What makes a good research question Important to the NHS and its patients Supported by current evidence High scientific quality Feasible Timely, i.e. research will continue to be relevant following completion of study Clear and well-defined Represents value for money

Burden of disease Health services Need = frequency x severity x impact of technology x evidence deficit (Discounted for time to produce evidence) Important question on an important topic Evidence gap Prioritising research

Application assessment process: Generally a two-stage process Outline proposals: ► Remit and competitiveness check (pre-panel/board) ► Panel assessment primarily for need and importance to the NHS ► Shortlist/Reject/Resubmit Full proposals: ► External review ► Board assessment primarily for scientific quality, value for money ► Fund/Fund With Changes/Reject/Resubmit One stage straight to full proposal process - option for researcher-led evidence synthesis submissions in some programmes

Selection criteria: Importance of the Research ► Adherence to the advertised commissioning brief or call specification ► Health need ► Expressed need ► Sustained interest ► Capacity to generate new knowledge ► Actionable findings and prospects for change

Selection criteria: Research Quality ► Scientific quality ► Links with knowledge users and where appropriate, integration of knowledge users in the knowledge production process ► Service user involvement ► Make up of team and project management ► Value for money

Hints and Tips for a good application (1) Is the Question Important Is it the Right Method Is the Research Feasible The Science Is the proposal clear, logical and persuasive

Hints and Tips for a good application (2) The Team and Support Patient and Public Involvement Dissemination Costings

Sources of information and help NIHR Clinical Research Network Research Design Service (RDS) INVOLVE Browse NETS website for study protocols, guidance notes and FAQs Become a reviewer for NETS programmes Become a panel member

Keeping in touch: The NIHR: CCF Trainees Coordinating Centre NETSCC Steph Garfield-Birkbeck