1. How the RDS can support your application
Clare Gillies
East Midlands Research Design Service
24/02/2019

2. RDS EM - Who We Are….
Established in a national network of research units to support the development of research ideas and research funding applications within the NHS.

3. RDS EM - Who We Are….
Service led by Nottingham University and the University of Leicester, with staff funded at De Montfort University, University of Lincoln, Northampton University and Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.
Staff team includes…
Medical Statisticians
Health Economists
Social Scientists
Epidemiologists.
Qualitative specialists
Funding & Organisation specialists
PPI experts

4. RDS EM - Who We Are…. Academic staff maintain research activity:
Co-applicants and active researchers in successful bids (e.g. SDO, RfPB, HTA, PGfAR, ESRC, CLAHRC)
Authors of papers published in peer-reviewed journals
Peer-reviewers for journals
Relevant funding panel experience:
Peer-reviewers for NIHR funding streams (e.g. RfPB, HTA, EME, PGfAR)
Members of panels or sub-panels (e.g. PGfAR, RfPB, NIHR/CNO Clinical Academic Training Pathway)
Members of local ethics committees
A number of us have been through the process ourselves………

5. How can we help…..
Refine your idea and turn it into a fundable project…
Help you to negotiate the application forms…
Help you to negotiate application processes …
Provide specialist/methodological input into your proposal…
Review drafts of your proposal
Provide mock interviews
Interpret feedback from previous failed applications …

6. Added value….. 2015: 15 submitted and 5 were funded
Most fellowship applicants in the East Midlands use the RDS (91%)
79% said their applicant had been greatly improved by EM-RDS input
NIHR evaluation of funding competitions demonstrates that applicants supported by an RDS were more likely to pass outline stages of competitions, and that overall success rate was higher in those that had consulted an RDS.

7. Feedback….
“Throughout the application process the RDS provided valuable guidance.”
“The RDS gave excellent support and advice in the drafting of and finalisation of this application.”
“My application was considerably improved after meeting with the RDS East Midlands team. They provided valuable expertise and advice on my research design, as well as helping ensure my proposal was accessible to the intended audience.”

8. Summary Write for the expert generalist
Take all sections of the application seriously
Do not make unsupported statements
Ask the RDS/colleagues to review your application
Take appropriate time!