The HTA programme is currently advertising standard calls for research proposals that address specific topics and funding for clinical trials and evaluation studies that are proposed directly by researchers.

Outline proposals for evaluation studies and trials are accepted on an ongoing basis, with an online web proposal form available on the HTA programme website at any time.

Applications are considered four times a year. The next cut-off deadline for proposals to reach the NETSCC, HTA offices is before 1pm on Tuesday 13 April 2010 to be considered by the HTA Clinical Evaluation and Trials Prioritisation Group in June 2010 for their importance to the NHS.

Shortlisted outline proposals will then be considered in July 2010 by the HTA Clinical Evaluation and Trials Board. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit full proposals for assessment by the Board in January 2011.

The outline proposal application form, explanatory notes and guidance notes are available on the HTA programme website at www.hta.ac.uk/funding/clinicaltrials or contact: HTA Clinical Evaluation and Trials team, Alpha House, University of Southampton Science Park, Southampton, SO16 7NS, tel: 023 8059 6974 (24-hour answer phone), email: htacet@southampton.ac.uk.

The closing date for submission of outline proposals is before 1pm on Thursday 6 May 2010.

For further information please visit the HSR website: http://www.hsr.nihr.ac.uk/funding/joint_INVOLVE_call.asp

Since starting in 2009 the Research Design Service South Central has worked with over 195 Researchers from across the South Central Region, including both academics and health professionals from all aspects of healthcare.

We have advised on over 250 research projects, many of which have received funding already and many which are expected to receive funding over the coming months.

The Research Design Service, a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) funded organisation, aims to support health researchers by encouraging the development of high-quality research.  Across the country, ten branches of the service are providing free advice on all aspects of preparing grant applications, including: identifying suitable funding sources; building an appropriate research team; designing a study; identifying the resources required for a successful project; and involving patients and the public.

There is a misconception that the RDS is only aimed at those researchers with less grant writing experience than their colleagues, but this is simply not the case. The RDS has a wide range of skilled research professionals and is able to bring its knowledge and experience to benefit all research funding applications from researchers of all levels.

Contact us now to discuss how to improve your application.

¹ Based upon the most recent RfPB funding data from NIHR

• Programme Advisory Board

We are seeking experienced local authority professionals to help us identify and commission new research into the questions that matter most to public and voluntary services  across the UK . Find out more here .

• Research Funding Board

We need an active senior researcher with expertise in public involvement to sit on our Funding Board. Find out more and apply here.

• Researcher-led call for proposals

The next cut-off date for submitting researcher-led outline proposals is Monday 10 May 2010, before 1pm. Potential applicants should visit the Public Health Research programme’s website here for further information and guidance on the programme and the application process.

• Suggest a research topic

We welcome suggestions of public health topics that require further research.  Anyone can make a suggestion online here.

The NIHR/CNO Clinical Doctoral Research Fellowship is aimed at post-degree nurses, midwives and allied health professionals sited in England who have at least 1 year’s experience of clinical practice since graduating; have had sufficient research experience or research training to prepare them to undertake a PhD; and wish to obtain a PhD by research whilst still developing their clinical skills.

Applicants must have current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) or the Health Professionals Council (HPC) at the point of award.  Individuals who can demonstrate a role in, or contribution to, improving health, health care delivery or services are eligible. The fellowships provide funding for full salary and research costs appropriate for a research training award.

For further information please see their website at  www.nihrtcc.nhs.uk/cat

The following courses are open for booking in 2010:

• Genetic Association Studies; 18/03 – 19/03/2010
• Introduction to Health Economics; 24/03 – 26/03/2010
• Questionnaire Design Application and Data Interpretation; 14/04 – 16/04/2010
• Introduction to Bioinformatics; 22/04 – 23/04/2010
• Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods; 26/04 – 30/04/2010
• Advanced Stata; 06/05 – 07/05/2010
• Introduction to Linear and Logistic Regression Models; 17/05 – 21/05/2010
• The Complex Genome; 27/05 – 28/05/2010
• Cox Regression Models; 07/06/2010 – 09/06/2010
• Design and Analysis of Randomised Controlled Trials; 4/06/2010 – 18/06/2010
• Systematic Reviews In Health Care: Meta-Analysis in Context; 23/06/2010 – 25/06/2010
• Advanced Epidemiological and Statistical Methods; 28/06 – 07/02/2010

For further information please see their website at http://www.epi.bris.ac.uk/shortc/shortc.htm

Public and patient involvement in research can enhance the quality of research and research outcomes, according to a new report published by INVOLVE.

INVOLVE is funded by NIHR to promote public and patient involvement in research.  The new report: Exploring Impact: public involvement in NHS, public health and social care research looks at the impact of public involvement through an in-depth review of published literature.

It draws together examples of how public involvement is conducted, and how it makes a difference. It also raises questions about the quality of evidence showing the impact of such involvement, revealing huge variations in how this is assessed and reported, highlighting difficulties in judging it or drawing general conclusions.

The full report (116 pages) is available to download on the publications section of the INVOLVE website

http://www.invo.org.uk/Publications.asp
http://www.invo.org.uk/pdfs/Involve_Exploring_Impactfinal28.10.09.pdf

a 16 page summary is also available http://www.invo.org.uk/pdfs/InvolveExploringImpactSummary3.11.09final.pdf

Please contact INVOLVE if you need a paper copy of the report admin@invo.org.uk or telephone 02380 651088

INVOLVE shares knowledge and learning on public involvement in research and provides resources for researchers and research commissioners and funders on how to involve members of the public in research.

For further information on INVOLVE please visit their website www.invo.org.uk