The NIHR offers project funding through its different funding programmes.
Our programmes are open to applications of any rigorous study design including:
evidence syntheses
pilot and feasibility studies
randomised controlled trials
quantitative research
qualitative research
The most suitable programme for your research idea depends on your broad research area, the scale of study, whether it will generate new evidence or blend existing evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Any applicant who considers that they can carry out high quality research is likely to be eligible, either directly or with a partner.
We accept applications from:
individual researchers
academic institutions
local authorities
industry
charities
social care organisations
We do not fund research involving animals or animal tissue. We will not accept the same or substantially similar applications to more than one NIHR programme.
Most programmes do not have a limit on funding. If any funding opportunity does have a limit this will be clearly detailed in the call information.
Applicants should review individual funding opportunities for specific eligibility requirements. Contact individual funding programmes for further questions about eligibility.
Applicants from the UK
Some programmes can only accept applications where the lead applicant is from England. See details in each programme’s specification. Co-applicants for all programmes can be from anywhere in the UK.
Applicants from outside the UK
International applicants may apply as a co-applicant with a UK or England-based lead applicant, depending on the programme's specification.
This programme funds studies into the efficacy of new approaches to disease prevention and treatment. It supports clinical trials and other studies which test how interventions may work in practice.
Broad research areas: Public health, clinical evaluation and translation, social care Types of evidence: Evidence generation Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant can be from anywhere in the UK. Call and competition per year: 3 researcher-led and 3 commissioned
This programme funds work to identify, review and summarise existing information about the effects of tests, treatments and interventions. It aims to equip health and care decision makers with the best possible information.
Broad research areas: Public health, clinical evaluation and translation, social care Types of evidence: Evidence synthesis, programmes of research Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant can be from anywhere in the UK. Call and competition per year: 1 researcher-led
Funding evaluative research to improve the quality of health and social care services. Typical projects focus on the organisation and accessibility of care.
Broad research areas: Public health, health service and organisation and social care Types of evidence: Evidence synthesis, evidence generation, programmes of research Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant can be from anywhere in the UK. However lead must be from England for the commissioned workstream Call and competition per year: 3 researcher-led and 3 commissioned
Funding research into the clinical and cost-effectiveness of treatments and tests. Funded studies often compare a new technology's existing evidence with the current methods.
Broad research areas: Public health, health service and organisation, clinical evaluation and translations, social care Types of evidence: Evidence synthesis, evidence generation Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant can be from anywhere in UK Call and competition per year: 3 researcher-led and 3 commissioned
Funding the development of medical devices, diagnostics and health technologies at both pre-clinical and clinical stages. Innovations focus on areas of existing or emerging patient need.
Broad research areas: Public health, clinical evaluation and translations, technology development Types of evidence: Evidence generation Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant must be from England Call and competition per year: 3 researcher-led and 1 commissioned
Funding to help researchers carry out work which will support an application to the Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) programme. Funds can also be used to support development work for existing PGfAR programmes.
Broad research areas: Public health, health service and organisation, clinical evaluation and translations, social care Types of evidence: Evidence synthesis, evidence generation, programmes of research Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant can be from anywhere in UK Call and competition per year: 3 researcher-led
A researcher-led grant programme to fund applied health and social care research. Studies seek to address health and care needs in areas other research funders may not focus. Further support for applicants is provided through Programme Development Grants.
Broad research areas: Public health, health service and organisation, clinical evaluation and translations, social care Types of evidence: Evidence synthesis, evidence generation, programmes of research Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant must be from England Call and competition per year: 3 researcher-led
Funding research to improve the health of the public and reduce inequalities. Research aims to generate evidence to inform delivery of non-NHS interventions and test practical interventions.
Broad research areas: Public health, social care Types of evidence: Evidence synthesis, evidence generation, programmes of research Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant can be from anywhere in UK Call and competition per year: 3 researcher-led and 3 commissioned
Funding policy research to inform policy makers across health and social care. Policy research helps enable evidence-based policies.
Broad research areas: Public health, health service and organisation, clinical evaluation and translations, technology development, social care Types of evidence: Evidence synthesis, evidence generation, programmes of research Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant must be from England Call and competition per year: 3 commissioned
Funding research around the day-to-day practice of health service and social care staff. The programme funds studies that aim to increase the effectiveness of services, provide value for money and benefit patients and the public. The programme runs the bi-annual Research for Social Care call. This call funds studies to improve, expand and strengthen the delivery of adult social care. This is one of our programme with set funding limits.
Broad research areas: Public health, health service and organisation, clinical evaluation and translations, social care Types of evidence: Evidence synthesis, evidence generation Applicant eligibility: Lead applicant must be from England Call and competition per year: 3 researcher-led
Themed CallsNIHR themed calls are funding opportunities focusing on a particular research area in which all NIHR programmes participate.Funding opportunitiesView all current and future NIHR funding opportunitiesResearch Design ServiceHow we provide support to health and social care researchers across England on all aspects of developing and writing a grant application for funding.
