1. Overview of the Research for Patient Benefit Programme
Dr Ianina Conte, Senior Programme Manager
RDS East Midlands Meeting – 30 May 2019

2. Outline The RfPB programme Scope and aims Funding limits
Early career researchers
Application process and timeline

3. NIHR Research Programmes
Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation
Research for Patient Benefit
Invention for Innovation
Health Technology Assessment
Adoption
Programme Grants for Applied Research
Public Health Research
Health Sciences and Delivery Research
Invention
Evaluation

4. The RfPB Programme What we fund? Research projects On what areas?
Wide range of areas concerned with the day-to- day practice in health services and social care
Supports qualitative and quantitative research with a clear trajectory to patient/user benefit
Response mode, researcher-led programme

5. RfPB spend

6. RfPB Scope RfPB will fund: RfPB will not fund:
Studies which evaluate the provision and use of NHS services
Evaluations of the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of interventions
Formal evaluations of innovations and developments
Feasibility studies and research requiring follow on awards from other funders
Development and refinement of new interventions, scales or outcome measures
Needs assessments, evidence synthesis, systematic reviews, methods development, and exploratory studies
RfPB will not fund:
Laboratory-based research or basic science research, including animal work
Infrastructure, such as setting up or maintaining research units
Applications which are solely service developments, unless they have wider generalisability
Applications which are solely audits or surveys (although these elements may be part of an integrated research study)
Applications which are primarily concerned with setting priorities for future directions of research

7. RfPB funding limits
The funding for individual projects is up to £350,000 for up to 36 months.
However, our tiered funding strategy aims to balance the likelihood of a proposal achieving patient benefit against its cost 
Tier 1
£350k
Proposals with a clear and close trajectory to patient benefit (e.g. randomised controlled trials)
Tier 2
£250k
Soft ceiling for feasibility studies (in exceptional circumstances a well argued application could cost more)
Tier 3
£150k
Higher risk proposals which have a longer trajectory to patient benefit
See: Guidance on funding limits

8. RfPB funding limits
Examples of type of research which would fall into Tier 3:
Observational studies using clinical databases, e.g. to provide estimates of an effect size useful in the design of a clinical trial
Developing and refining interventions
Developing new scales or outcome measures
Exploratory studies, e.g. using qualitative methods to provide insights into an intractable problem
Secondary data analyses (including developing predictive models and needs assessments)
Additional follow up of patients in a completed clinical trial
Post-market surveillance for unknown side-effects of a drug
Systematic reviews where the number of relevant studies is likely to be limited
See: RfPB review of tier 3 funding

9. The Story of RfPB
See: Story of RfPB

10. Early Career Researchers
Early Career Researchers are encouraged to apply
The team as a whole is assessed
Relatively inexperienced lead applicant with sufficiently experienced and resourced co-applicants is fine RfPB is a good option for researchers looking for their first grant

11. Application Process and Timeline

12. RfPB regional approach
RfPB is a national programme but funds research on a regional level 8 Regional Advisory Committees Programme Director: Professor Sue Ziebland East Midlands Chair: Professor Neil Coulson Programme Manager: Ms Elizabeth Pocklington East Midlands portfolio: 77 funded projects Totalling £15.5m Success rate: 16%

13. Application Process 3 funding competitions a year 2 stage process
Stage 1 (formative assessment):
Complete main sections of SAF for Committee to triage weak applications and offer advice/support to all applicants
Stage 2 (summative assessment):
If invited, revise and complete rest of SAF
We receive ~120 applications per round and the success rate is ~22% (peer reviewed applications)
We have funded >900 projects so far (totalling nearly £226m)

14. Application Process – C39
Stage 1 application
24 July 19
PM Scrutiny
Sept 2019
27 Nov 19
Dec - Jan
Jan 2020
S1 Panel assessment
Stage 2 application
External Peer review
S2 Panel assessment
Stage 1 initial outcomes will be sent within a week of the S1 meeting. Feedback to follow.
March 2020
Decision & feedback

15. Themed Calls – C39 Frailty Chronic pain
Proposals are invited for health and social care research that slows or prevents further declines in health or supports/promotes healthy ageing, independence, and wellbeing
Research should take into account the wider health and social care needs of the individual and their family or other carers
Chronic pain
Proposals are invited that address the management of chronic pain
A wide range of different interventions may be used in the management of chronic pain, including pharmacological, psychological, physical, surgical and other forms of therapy.
See: NIHR themed call webpage

16. Standard Application Form
Stage 1 Form, Section 4: Research Team
Joint Lead Applicant *NEW*
Where appropriate and justified it is acceptable for the application to be led by joint Lead Applicants.
Early career researchers leading applications to RfPB are encouraged to apply as Lead Applicant, with a more senior colleague fulfilling the role of mentor and Joint Lead Applicant
Provide clear justification for how the Joint Lead Applicant will provide mentorship and guidance for the early career researcher
Note: For the purposes of contracting, Joint Lead Applicants are treated as co- applicants

17. Feasibility Studies: Follow on Funding
Working with PIs as feasibility studies approach the end to determine if the study is feasible
New funding process to fast track feasible studies to RfPB Stage 2 for the full trial
Working closely with other programmes to shorten time between end of feasibility study and start of follow on research/trial

18. Useful Resources RfPB Webpage Applicant guidance
Guidance for Applicants
Supporting Information for Applicants
Stage 1 template application form
Finance guidance
Other RfPB guidance
Guidance on funding limits
RfPB review of tier 3 funding
Guidance on feasibility studies
Guidance on further evaluations of established interventions
Frequently asked questions
Research Contract template
Contacts:
Research Design Service
RfPB Programme:

19. Any questions?