The NIHR Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) programme funds health, public health and social care research covering a wide range of health service challenges.
The aim of the programme is to fund topics and research methodologies that increase the effectiveness of NHS services, provide value for money and benefit patients. RfPB also runs an annual competition specifically for social care proposals - Research for Social Care (RfSC).
The Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) programme supports research that is concerned with the day-to-day practice of health service and social care staff. Research proposals should have a clear trajectory towards benefiting the health or wellbeing of patients and users of the NHS and social care services.
RfPB is researcher-led and does not specify topics for research. The RfSC call funds research which generates evidence to improve, expand and strengthen the way adult social care is delivered for users of care services, carers and the public.
The funding available for individual projects is up to £350,000 for up to 36 months. Feasibility studies are expected to cost less than £250,000, and proposals that will generate results that might be useful for more downstream investigations are expected to cost less than £150,000.
For more information on applying to RfPB, please see our supplemental guidance notes on funding limits, finance, tier 3 funding, applying for feasibility studies and further evaluations of established interventions. Please note the tier system does not apply for RfSC funding.
RfPB has three funding opportunities a year. RfSC has one opportunity per year. See the dates for our funding competitions.
RfPB has a two stage application process. Please see the applicant guidance for stage 1 and applicant guidance for stage 2, and the supporting information, to find out more. You can also browse the FAQ's.
Research proposals are submitted to RfPB online through the Research Management System. We supply template application forms for stage 1 and stage 2 to help researchers prepare their proposal ahead of submission.
For application and selection criteria for Research for Social Care, please see the RfSC page.
The Research for Patient Benefit programme will support:
The RfPB programme will not support:
The selection criteria used by our funding committees include:
Research for Patient Benefit is a national programme that funds research on a regional level through eight Regional Advisory Committees. Each region has a local committee chair and members, and patient or public members.
The Research for Social Care call is a national call with applications reviewed by a national committee comprising social care experts, methodologists, public and practitioner members.
Committee members review all stage 1 and stage 2 applications and make funding recommendations based on the quality of applications, with support from expert peer reviewers.
The committees recommend projects for funding to the Department of Health and Social Care, which approves which projects should be funded.
Members of NIHR Committees are required to declare any interests which conflict, or may be considered to conflict, with NIHR business, or may be perceived as influencing decisions made in the course of their work within NIHR programmes. All members are asked to complete the Register of Interest form (annually), which is intended to capture long term predictable interests that could be perceived to lead to conflicts of interest. These and other interests are judged on a case by case basis at individual meetings.
Interested in joining one of our committees? View our committee vacancies.
Professor Marian Knight is Director of the Research for Patient Benefit Programme.
Professor Kevin Munro is Chair of the North West Regional Advisory Committee
See the full list of members of the North West Regional Advisory Committee.
Dr Judith Cohen is Chair of the Yorkshire and North East Regional Advisory Committee.
See the full list of members of the Yorkshire and North East Regional Advisory Committee.
Dr Rebecca Kearney is Chair of the West Midlands Regional Advisory Committee.
See the full list of members of the West Midlands Regional Advisory Committee.
Professor Roshan das Nair is Chair of the East Midlands Regional Advisory Committee.
See the full list of members of the East Midlands Regional Advisory Committee.
Professor Tracy Sach is Chair of the East of England Regional Advisory Committee.
See the full list of members of the East of England Regional Advisory Committee.
Dr Chris Gale is Chair of the London Regional Advisory Committee.
See the full list of members of the London Regional Advisory Committee.
Professor Carrie Llewellyn is Chair of the South East and Central Regional Advisory Committee.
See the full list of members of the South East and Central Regional Advisory Committee.
Professor Robert Hinchliffe is Chair of the South West Regional Advisory Committee.
See the full list of members of the South West Regional Advisory Committee.
We offer a wide variety of assistance during all stages of the research process. If in doubt, please get in touch.
Tel: 020 8843 8057
For RfPB enquries, email: rfpb@nihr.ac.uk
For Research for Social Care enquiries, please email: rfsc@nihr.ac.uk
Our operating hours are 9am to 5pm.
NIHR
Grange House
15 Church Street
Twickenham TW1 3NL
Research for Patient Benefit is now running a dedicated social care funding call every year, starting September 2019
Applications are invited for research proposals that are concerned with the day-to-day practice of health service staff, and that have the potential to have an impact on the health or wellbeing of patients and users of the NHS.
All Research for Patient Benefit funding opportunities
Research for Patient Benefit Programme 46 S2 and 47 S2 Minutes - North West
Research for Patient Benefit programme-East of England-Competition 47 stage 1 competition 46 stage 2 Minutes
Research for Patient Benefit programme South West Competition 47 stage 1 competition 46 stage 2 Minutes
Research for Patient Benefit Programme South East & Central - Competition 46 Stage 2 and Competition 47 Stage 1 Minutes
Research for Patient Benefit programme-West Midlands Competition 47 stage 1 competition 46 stage 2 Minutes
