The NIHR invites applications for a two-stage competition to designate and fund Healthcare Technology Co-operatives (HTCs). This scheme will provide funding for NHS Organisations to act as centres of expertise to develop new concepts, demonstrate proof of principle and devise research protocols for new medical devices, healthcare technologies or technology-dependent interventions. NIHR HTCs will address clinical areas or themes of high morbidity and unmet need for NHS patients and healthcare technology users, which have not benefited from a high degree of innovation.
A briefing meeting for potential applicants will be held on the 29 February 2012. 
The closing date for submission of the Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire by NHS Trusts in England is 19 April 2012.

The UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Registered Clinical Trials Units (CTU) Network invites applications from both new and previously registered Units to register with the UKCRC. The registration is intended to help improve the quality of available expertise to carry out clinical trials in the UK. Leading the review is an International Panel of leading world experts in clinical trials.

To be eligible to apply, Units have to demonstrate they are capable of centrally coordinating multi-centre clinical trials and other well designed studies. This includes showing appropriate expertise in the design, conduct, data management, publicity, analysis and reporting of a study.

The closing date for applications is 5 April 2012.

The NIHR Programme Grant for Applied Research Applications invites research proposals from leading research groups for a coherent series of related projects to tackle high priority health issues. Proposals should provide evidence to improve health outcomes in England through promotion of health, prevention of ill health, and optimal disease management (including safety and quality), with particular emphasis on conditions causing significant disease burden. Funding of up to £2m is available over a period of three to five years.

The deadline for outline proposals is 19 March 2012.

The NIHR Programme Development Grants invites proposals from leading research groups to undertake preparatory work that will position them to submit a successful Programme Grant for Applied Research application in a subsequent funding competition.  Funding of between £20k and £100k is available over a period of 6-18 months. The closing date for applications is 5 March 2012.

The Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme invites research proposals to evaluate clinical efficacy of interventions, add significantly to our understanding of biological or behavioural mechanisms and processes, explore new scientific or clinical principles, and include the development or testing of new methodologies.

The closing date for outline applications is 9 March 2012, 1pm.

The Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation (EME) programme invites research proposals from collaborating partners including industry, NHS and academia, in the following areas:
 •  Neurodegenerative disorders and myopathies
 •  Point of care tests

The closing date for applications is 13 February 2012, 1pm.

The NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) programme invites research proposals in the following areas:

• Creative enterprises in open access settings
• Newly licensed drivers
 
The closing date for outline applications is 23 April 2012, 1.00 pm.

The NIHR Heath Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme invites outline research proposals on the following topics:

Primary Research:
• Quitting smoking in pregnancy and following childbirth 
• Interventions for preventing occupational irritant hand dermatitis in the NHS
• Immunisation of children and young people looked after by the state
• Surveillance programmes for people with inflammatory bowel disease
• Cystatin C test in the assessment of renal function
• Elemental/polymeric nutrition for the maintenance of remission in Crohn's disease
• Radiofrequency renal sympathectomy for the treatment of resistant essential hypertension 
• Surgical treatments for moderate urinary incontinence in men after prostate surgery
• Early specialist palliative care for patients with metastatic non-small-cell lung cancer
• Interventions for psychosexual dysfunction after treatment for gynaecological malignancy
• Psychological treatments for fatigue in patients with inflammatory arthritis
• Long acting reversible contraception for secondary prevention of endometriosis

Primary Feasibility Study
• An interventional package for parents of excessively crying infants
• Timing of intravenous fluids after trauma

Evidence Synthesis
• Screening for hyperglycaemia in pregnancy

IPD (Evidence Synthesis)
• HbA1c targets for patients with type 2 diabetes 
• Monitoring patients with chronic heart failure

The deadline for outline submissions is 1pm on 9 February 2012.

Researchers are invited to submit outline proposals for evaluation studies within the remit of the Health Technology Assessment Programme. Evidence Synthesis applicants should submit full applications. Primary research applications will be accepted in the usual way. The HTA programme is interested in receiving proposals addressing any health problem in areas not otherwise well covered in our portfolio.

The closing date for applications is 1pm, 30 January 2012.