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NIHR Work and Health Research Awards Round 2

National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR)

Overview

Opportunity status:

Open

Type:

Programme

Funding available amount:

£2000000.00

Opening date:

12 June 2025 at 12:00 am

Closing date:

11 March 2026 at 1:00 pm

Reference ID:

97026

Ready to apply?

Apply for this funding opportunity through our online application form

Timetable and budget

Description	Deadline/Timeline
Application available online	05 November 2024
Deadlines for outline application submission*	11 June 2025, 1pm (Wave 1) 11 March 2026, 1pm (Wave 2)
Notification of outcome of outline application	July/August 2025 (Wave 1) May 2026 (Wave 2)
Deadline for full application submission	25 September 2025, 1pm (Wave 1) 07 July 2026, 1pm (Wave 2)
Notification of outcome of full application	January 2026 (Wave 1) October 2026 (Wave 2)
Expected start of Research Awards	01 April 2026 (Wave 1) 01 January 2027 (Wave 2)
Budget	£750k to £2m per Research Award
Project Duration	up to 36 months

* We have decided to design this round of Research Awards (formerly called Research Collaboration Awards) as a rolling call. There will be two deadlines for outline applications: one in June 2025 and the other in March 2026. This will offer two opportunities for researchers to apply. Bidders who are unsuccessful within the Wave 1 outline application process can use Committee feedback and apply again in Wave 2. We hope that this will offer a more flexible approach to obtaining research funding.

How to apply

To apply for this funding opportunity you will need to log in through the NIHR Awards Management System. Click the link below to log-in to the system and start your application.

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

Clinical Trials

Public Health

Eligibility Requirements

This will offer two opportunities for researchers to apply. Bidders who are unsuccessful within the Wave 1 outline application process can use Committee feedback and apply again in Wave 2. We hope that this will offer a more flexible approach to obtaining research funding.

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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