Working with the NIHR Research Design Service to maximize successful grant applications Dr. Steven Blackburn NIHR Research Design Service West Midlands (Keele University Hub)

Plan Nature of the RDS. Rationale for its development. Common do’s and don’ts. How to access the RDS. RDS support for Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) in research.

Why is the RDS Needed Established October 2008 NIHR/DH initiative To improve the number and quality of applications to NIHR programmes and other national peer reviewed funding schemes “applications from the NHS often contain excellent ideas … which unfortunately cannot be funded because of methodological flaws”

Nature of the RDS Helps health and social care researchers to develop and design high quality research proposals targeted at NIHR/ peer-reviewed funding competitions. Offers access to specialist advice on research methodologies and protocol development. Specialist skills available include those in: Qualitative and quantitative research methods Statistics Mixed methods research Methods for promoting PPI in research Health Economics.

RDS also offers help with Formulating research questions Study design including conduct of RCTs or other complex designs including mixed methods studies Appropriate formation of Research Team PPI Identification of appropriate funding streams Ethics and Governance

Characteristics of a strong application Applicants have strong track record in applied health research. Appropriate methodological expertise. Addresses important research area with likelihood of patient/NHS benefit. Ambitious but not over ambitious. Deliverable. Public involvement in the research. Well written, well planned and clearly presented.

Characteristics of a weak application Failure to demonstrate the importance of the topic. Failure to demonstrate likelihood of patient benefit. Failure to meet stated definition of applied health research. Lack of appropriate multidisciplinary involvement. Insufficient input by named applicants. Lack of detail of research methods. Unfocused or over ambitious proposals. Proposal submitted too soon.

Step 1: Accessing the RDS West Midlands Log on to the RDS web site Complete and submit a support request form

Step 2: Meeting with RDS team Issues explored:  Likely eligibility of the research to funding stream.  Relevance of research aims.  Clarity and feasibility of research aims.  Number, experience and skills of existing research collaborators.  Local institutional support for the research.

Step 3: Develop your research proposal Researchers prepare draft project proposals. On going feedback and review of draft proposals by RDS team. Possibility of RDS team becoming co-applicants on projects.

Step 4: Review by the RDS Advisory Panel (Keele Hub) A panel of senior researchers review your research proposal and feedback their recommendations.

Step 5: Submit your proposal

Step 6: Post submission support RDS WM will provide support and advice following the feedback of the funding committee (if required)