1. Writing research and grant applications – from idea to submission
Dan Hawcutt & Jenny Bellis
Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust
Liverpool

2. Session Overview Why are you doing this research?
What is already known?
Setting the scene
Developing a research question
Selection of methodology
Protocol development
The research team
Patient and public involvement
Sources of funding

3. Example funding application outline
Items covered in this session

4. Public, patients & parents
From research idea to research proposal………
Joint Research Office
Clinicians
Academic Partners
Accountants
NHS Trust R&D Office
Research Funder
My Boss!
NHS Trust Exec
Pharma
Methodologists
Public, patients & parents

5. To find ways to improve outcomes for patients
Why are you doing this research?
For my CV
To answer this question, once and for all!
Publications
To find ways to improve
outcomes for patients
It’s in my job description!
To progress my academic career
I’m doing a research degree
To gather evidence for how we do things/want to do things

6. What is already known? Conduct a thorough literature review
Ask your librarian for help
?? Undergraduate/pre-reg/diploma/summer student project
Identify ongoing work
Published protocols
Professional networks
UK Clinical Network Research Portfolio

7. Setting the scene Present a clear research question
Describe the scale of the problem
Ensure the evidence gap is clearly described
(use Cochrane Reviews/Systematic Reviews where possible)
Construct a health economic case
Make sure it fits with the funder
Does it fit the guidance or brief?
Are there clearly defined outputs?
Value for money?
Check previous awards from funding body

8. Developing a research question
Foundation for everything else
What are the aims and objectives?
Population
Intervention
Comparator
Outcome(s)
Notes for research question section
Ask participants to shout out example research questions - identify PICO for their examples
Use the following example, if needed (from NIHR funded project):
A randomised controlled trial to determine whether application of emollient from birth for a year, can prevent eczema in high risk children.The primary objective of this study is to determine whether advising parents to apply emollient to their child’s skin daily for the first year of life in addition to best practice infant skin care advice can prevent or delay the onset of eczema in high-risk children, when compared with a control group who are given the best practice infant skin care advice only.
Research question:
Does the application of emollient from birth prevent eczema in high risk children?
P – children at high risk of developing eczema
I – emollient + best practice skin care
C – best practice skin care only
O – development of eczema
The details will be developed further when we look at protocol development

9. Analysis of previous studies
Selection of Methodology
Study Idea
Observational
Cohort
Case control
Cross sectional
Interventional
Randomised
Non-randomised
Analysis of previous studies
Systematic Review
Meta-analysis
Notes for selection of methodology section
Consult an expert!!
Think about
Which method answers the question
What is feasible
Cost implications
Ask participants to identify best methodology for their examples (if they have any)
Provide examples of when each type of study design may be appropriate:
Observational – not practical/ethical/cost-effective to randomise patients, can be pro- or retro-spective
e.g. MAGIC, ADRIC
Interventional – RCT/NRCT ‘gold standard’ but expensive to conduct
e.g. emollient for prevention of eczema
Evidence synthesis – may be inconclusive but equally, evidence might already be out there, economical to conduct
For our example (eczema study) RCT design selected because………..

10. Protocol Development RCT http://www.consort-statement.org/
Reporting guidelines are a useful template for protocol writing – bring in collaborators as soon as possible to help you write this
RCT
Observational
Evidence synthesis
Notes for protocol development section
Consult relevant experts – context, methodology, analysis etc.
Ask participants to talk through details under each heading on previous slide for the eczema example.
Introduction/Background – prevalence and impact of childhood eczema, current prevention and management, potential impact of research – don’t forget lay summary – Use hospital/university librarians to help with literature search. Undergraduates/pre-regs/diploma students/summer students may be able to help with literature review
Design – RCT (single centre / multi-centre / cluster)
Participants, Interventions, Outcomes – see earlier
Sample size – need statistical input, essential for feasibility assessment
(also for elsewhere in the application: Evidence of feasibility from pilot work or feasibility exercises, Describe access to sample and timelines for recruitment, Demonstrate experience of project management)
Randomisation – need statistical input, need good level of detail
Statistical methods – planned analysis

11. Protocol Development – e.g. RCT
Checklist from;

12. The Research Team Match the team to the requirements of the study
Track record of the team(s)
Institutional credibility (clinical/academic)
Don’t be parochial
Be very clear what each individual or partner brings to the proposal
Think about costs
Notes for research team section
Ask participants to suggest who should be co-applicants for the eczema example / an example brought by them.
e.g. Eczema RCT:
Clinical lead (dermatologist)
Clinical/Research project manager role
Expert - RCT methodology and conduct
Expert - planned analysis methods
Expert in PPI methodology and/or parent

13. Patient & Public Involvement
Not optional!
Be creative
Ask for help from experts
Notes for PPI section
Ask participants to suggest PPI for a) developing proposal b) inclusion in proposal
e.g. Eczema RCT, will be parents rather than children but can involve older children if relevant to the study:
Developing proposal – Workshop with parents of newborn babies/parents of babies who have developed eczema to determine focus of research and feasibility of the intervention from their perspective.
Within proposal – Plans (and funding for) continuous consultation with parents e.g. planned meetings/
contact/phone calls/invite a willing parent to study management group meetings. Parents can contribute to planned intervention, materials developed to communicate about the study, dissemination of findings.

14. Sources of Funding
Local funds (e.g. hospital charity, personal awards)
National Charities
NIHR
Pharmacy Research UK / UKCPA
Health Foundation
NPPG
Website / announcement
SBRI Healthcare