The NIHR Research Design Service: supporting high quality grant applications Paul Ewings – Director RDS SW

The NIHR Research Design Service (RDS) supports researchers to develop and design high quality research proposals for submission to NIHR and other national, peer- reviewed funding competitions for applied health or social care research.

“To offer fit for purpose advice and support on research design and methodology to researchers making funding applications…” “To increase the number and proportion of high quality applications for funding …” “To provide consistent national coverage, with a focus on … NIHR Programmes” RDS purpose and role

Pages/RDSMap.aspx A service covering England Local access

The contract says…(1) “The NIHR RDS should offer advice and guidance on all aspects of research design and conduct including : –formulating research questions –research design for quantitative studies –research design for qualitative studies –identifying and applying to appropriate funding sources –contacting appropriate collaborators in research –Signpost researchers to other specialised centres for advice”

The contract says… (2) “Each RDS must at its core have access to methodological expertise: –research methodology –health economics –statistics –systematic reviews –health psychology and behavioural science Must also be able to draw on other expertise as necessary or provide advice and guidance on all aspects of research design and conduct”

RDS: more than just research design … Formulating research questions Building an appropriate team Involving patients and carers Designing a study: statistics, health economics, qualitative… Identifying suitable funding sources Regulatory issues Writing lay summaries Identifying the resources required “Grantsmanship” – getting the narrative right

A network of methodologists Providing advice and support on all aspects of preparing grant applications Focus on NHS investigators and NIHR schemes The RDS SW

Project Review Committee RDS consultants plus lay representatives Acts as a “mock funding committee” Brings “fresh eyes” to a draft proposal Provides written reviews plus feedback of committee discussion Constructive advice on how to develop proposal further and likely timescale

The RDS SW Residential Research Retreat One-week residential event Teams of three people, each team developing a research proposal Support from “expert team” Seminars Critical review “In order to ensure that new researchers are able to make feasible, rigorous, well-designed bids for funding, this week is essential.” Residential Research Retreat delegate, 2013

The RDS SW Grants Application Workshop A one-day workshop Individuals (or teams) involved in developing a research proposal Talks and group work How to develop a successful grant proposal Next one: 1 April 2014

RDS SW: The first five years Advised on 964 new projects Supported 125 submissions at outline stage 353 submissions at full (or single stage) Of those submissions where the result is known: 40% of the outline applications have been shortlisted 34% of the full submissions have been successfully funded

We have successfully supported researchers to win major grants from national funders, including: –36 RfPB –49 other NIHR –21 charity –11 Research Council grants RDS SW: The first five years

IMPROVE (Martin James) Protective stockings (Roy Powell) HeLP (Katrina Wyatt) DIAT (Nicky Britten) CADENCE (John Campbell) Some Exeter studies

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