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Decarbonising the health and social care system

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

Overview

Opportunity status:

Open

Type:

Programme

Opening date:

19 November 2025 at 1:00 pm

Closing date:

11 March 2026 at 1:00 pm

Reference ID:

2025/389

Ready to apply?

Apply for this funding opportunity through our online application form

We are looking to fund research into decarbonising the health and social care system. As part of our climate, health and sustainability commitments to help reduce carbon emissions and achieve net zero, this cross-programme funding opportunity will run annually for 5 years from 2024. There will be £25 million total funding available across the 5 years, with a new application process opening each year. This is the second year we have run this opportunity.

Your proposed research should aim to generate high-quality evidence, focused on decarbonisation of the health and social care system, that supports both innovations and/or existing:

interventions
service models
care pathways

Research into development, evaluation and/or implementation of such interventions is all within the scope of this funding opportunity. You will need to demonstrate 'proof of concept' and a clear pathway of impact to be considered as innovations.

We expect to commission projects which range in size and scope. As part of our drive to develop capacity, this opportunity also encourages capacity building and training.

A number of our domestic programmes are taking part in this funding opportunity. Projects can cross boundaries between the remit of different programmes. You do not need to make a separate application to an individual NIHR programme, or specify which of the programmes’ remit your project falls under.

This is a 2-stage, commissioned funding opportunity. To apply for the first stage you should submit an outline application. If invited to the second stage, you will then need to complete a full application.

Key dates

19 November 2025

Outline application opening date

26 November 2025

Application 101 webinar

2 December 2025

Carbon measurement webinar

4 December 2025

Small-Medium Enterprise (SME) innovations webinar

December 2025/January 2026

Research Support Service (RSS) bookable online support sessions

11 March 2026, 1pm

Outline application closing date

June 2026

Full application opening date

August 2026

Full application closing date

November 2026

Year 2 full application funding decision
Year 3 of this funding opportunity opens for outline applications

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Because NIHR funding schemes have different aims and review processes, the following are *general, evidence-based predictors shared across most programmes (domestic and global). NIHR

1️⃣ Relevance to NIHR’s Mission and Priorities

NIHR applications are first assessed on relevance to NIHR’s remit: improving patient outcomes, NHS and social care effectiveness, public health impact, or addressing policy priorities. Alignment with programme-specific aims (e.g., public health, clinical efficacy, translational science) is essential. NIHR

✔ Clearly articulate how your research fits the selected NIHR programme’s objectives and addresses health or care needs.

2️⃣ Scientific Quality & Rigor

High-quality research design — including hypothesis clarity, robust methodology and feasibility — is central. Research must address important gaps, be methodologically sound and ethically justified. NIHR

✔ Demonstrate rigorous methodology, justified sample sizes, valid measures, and feasibility within the funding timeline.

3️⃣ Impact and Knowledge Mobilisation

NIHR places high value on impact — not just scientific outputs, but benefits to patients, the NHS, care systems or society. This includes practical pathways to implementation and plans to disseminate results effectively. NIHR

✔ Include knowledge mobilisation strategies (e.g., how findings will influence policy, practice, or public health).

4️⃣ Strength of the Research Team

A credible team with appropriate expertise, track record and clear roles improves confidence in delivery. For large or multidisciplinary programmes, collaboration across institutions (academia + NHS + stakeholders) is often a strength. NIHR

✔ Provide strong CVs, evidence of productivity, and clear role descriptions for all key team members.

5️⃣ Feasibility and Realistic Planning

NIHR reviewers assess whether the project can realistically be completed within the proposed timeframe, resources and regulatory environment (e.g., ethics, governance). NIHR

✔ Present a clear timeline, milestones, risk mitigation and budget justification.

6️⃣ Patient and Public Involvement (PPI)

NIHR particularly values meaningful involvement of patients and the public in research design, conduct and dissemination, particularly for clinical and health services research. Review criteria often assess the quality of PPI input. NIHR

✔ Show active PPI engagement in shaping the research question and design.

7️⃣ Governance and Regulatory Readiness

NIHR requires high standards of research governance, ethical approval, data protection, trial registrations (if applicable) and adherence to regulatory frameworks; omissions can weaken competitiveness. NIHR

✔ Address ethical, regulatory, and governance considerations clearly in your application.

8️⃣ Competitive Two-Stage Processes

Many NIHR schemes (e.g., RfPB) use outline/tracker → full proposal two-stage assessments, with about half of outlines invited to submit full proposals. Rank, clarity and early feedback matter. NIHR

✔ Invest effort especially in the outline stage — succinct, compelling case and clear plans can strongly influence full invites.

📌 Practical Tips to Improve Competitiveness

📍 Choose the right programme: NIHR has many schemes (HTA, RfPB, HSDR, PHR, EME, PGfAR, fellowships, global health). Read the specific funding brief and criteria carefully. NIHR
📍 Early engagement: Contact NIHR Research Design Services or programme contacts to refine aims and methods.
📍 PPI strategy: Develop strong, documented patient/public involvement early — reviewers often score this explicitly. NIHR
📍 Plan impact: Include pathways to benefit patients, NHS operations, and policy change, not just publication dissemination.
📍 Document feasibility: Regulatory and data management plans reassure reviewers of practical deliverability.

🧠 Summary: NIHR Success Predictors

Predictor	Why It Matters
Mission alignment	Ensures fit to programme priorities and remit. NIHR
Scientific quality	Foundation of funding decisions. NIHR
Impact & mobilisation	NIHR emphasises NHS and societal benefit. NIHR
Team strength	Confidence in execution. NIHR
Feasibility	Project deliverability within context. NIHR
Patient & public involvement	A core NIHR value. NIHR
Governance readiness	Mitigates delivery risks. NIHR
Outline clarity in two-stage schemes	Key in early screening.

Specialties

Public Health

Eligibility Requirements

Applications should provide a strong rationale for the choice of care pathway or intervention with a clear assessment of potential impact (through early assessment of economic/environmental impact).

You should provide a clear rationale for clear argument related to the primary aim to support net zero targets.

The primary outcomes should focus on carbon emissions, greenhouse gas emissions, or carbon dioxide equivalent and must address our remit of improving people’s health and wellbeing.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 201 Bishopsgate, London, EC2M 3AB

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