The closing date for electronic submission of applications is on 04 August 2021 by 1pm GMT+1
How to Apply
Applications to the Global Health Research Programme (Units and Groups/ Global Health Policy and Systems Research Awards) will involve a single stage assessment process.
It is mandatory for applications to the NIHR Global Health Policy and Systems Research (Global HPSR) Programme Researcher led Awards to have two Joint Lead Applicants (either two from eligible low-and-middle-income country (LMIC) institutions, or one eligible LMIC-based and one eligible UK-based Higher Education Institution or Research Institute). The NIHR contract requires a named ‘Lead Applicant’ which may be an LMIC or a UK-based institution which will be the contracting organisation.
The NIHR launched a new IT system called REsearch Awards Lifecycle Management System (REALMS) to receive applications for this call. If you have previously registered with our MIS system you will now be required to set a new password using the ‘Forgot Password?’ function. If you do not already have an account, you will be required to register on the REALMS system in order to access the application.
Please refer to the ‘REALMS Global Health user guide’ for more detailed instructions on using the REALMS system. A link will be available to you from within the REALMS system.
The ‘Add New Ticket’ button towards the top of the screen can be used to raise a support ticket if you have any questions relating to the call or completion of the online REALMS application form.
Once registered applicants should go to their homepage and click on the ‘Applicant Portal’ followed by ‘Funding Opportunities’. They then need to choose the Global Health funding opportunity from the list followed by click ‘Apply Now’. You will also be able to view further information about the funding opportunity using the ‘View Details’ button.
Applicants must ensure they regularly press ‘Save Draft’ to ensure their information is not lost when completing the online application form.
Eligibility Check
Once you have clicked ‘Apply’ you will be taken to the eligibility check page, here you will be asked to confirm that you are from the lead contracting organisation. You should answer yes or no and press submit. If you are eligible, you will be able to continue which will take you to the application. You should check that you are applying to the right funding opportunity and call.
If you want to see an example application form, please refer to the Word version of the form available online.
Call Documents
In Call Documents, you will find a link to this system guidance document, and links to other useful call documentation, for example, the Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance; NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core guidance; Global HPSR Researcher-led - Finance Guidance; Global HPSR Researcher-led Budget entry form guidance (available in REALMS).
Generating a PDF of your Application
To see a PDF of the current content of your application at any time click 'View/Print'.
Getting further support
If you have any issues completing your application form click 'Add new Ticket' to raise a support ticket, enter details of your question/issue and submit. You will receive an email confirming that we have received your request and we will reply with an answer as soon as we can.
Outstanding items on application form
If at any time you want to know what you still need to complete to be able to submit your application, click 'Info Still Required'. .
Saving the application
You can save your application at any point without running any validation by clicking 'Save Draft'. If you have made a change to information and your change is not showing on the screen you can refresh the page to update the screen by clicking 'Save Draft'.
Intent to Submit
In order to submit an application to the Global HPSR calls applicants must first complete and submit an Intent to Submit (ItS) form. This is a mandatory requirement and applicants WILL NOT be able to submit a full application unless they have first completed and submitted an Intent to Submit form before the deadline.
The mandatory Intent to Submit will close at 1pm GMT +1 on 07 July 2021
To access the ‘Intent to Submit’ form click open, this will take you to the content of the form. Any information entered within the ItS form can be automatically populated into the main application on submission if required (see below); applicants DO NOT need to input information twice. This content is editable and may be updated as required.
We recommend you complete the information required for your ItS within your main application form and you use the 'Copy Information from Application' function. This will pull all the relevant information from the main application into the ItS. You will still be required to enter your ‘Estimated Research Costs’ before submission. It is recognised that the information provided within your ItS may not be the final version but it is expected the submitted application will not deviate substantially from the ItS. Applicants will be able to edit their main application after the ItS has been submitted. The ItS will not be used for any formal assessment of the application. Its purpose is to assist the secretariat in planning to ensure, for example, the securing appropriate peer reviewers and Committee members in advance of your application submission.
The Intent to Submit will require the following information:
- Lead (contracting organisation) and Joint Lead Applicant details
- Research team details
- Research location
- Plain English Summary – providing only a high level description of your planned proposal.
If you press 'Submit and Copy to Main Application', the ItS content will overwrite any information in the main application form, we therefore recommend you complete the required sections in the main body of the application form and use the ‘copy from application’ button when you are ready to submit your ItS.
Summary Information
Contracting Organisation
If the field is empty or it is not the organisation you will be contracting with for this proposed research, start typing the name in the Contracting Organisation field until you see the one you want and select it.
If you cannot find the organisation you are looking for click 'Add New Contracting Organisation' and provide the organisation name and address details. Then you will be able to type the name in the Contracting Organisation field and select it.
If we find that the requested organisation already exists in REALMS or we are unable to approve the new organisation we will let you know and tell you what you need to do next.
Please note: The NIHR require one Joint Lead Applicant Organisation (LMIC or UK-based) to act as a contractor. This can be either a LMIC or UK-based Joint Lead Applicant organisation (i.e. one Joint Lead’s substantive employer) who will act as the contractor if the project is funded. The applicants primary organisation will be shown by default. If this is not the contracting organisation, search for the correct contracting organisation by typing the name of the organisation in the ‘search box'. If the organisation you require does not appear in the search box, you can request to ‘Add New Contracting Organisation’.
Please also bear in mind that:
- Thought must be given to the most appropriate institution to act as the contractor as part of the application process, as changes are unlikely to be agreed once a funding decision has been made.
- For NIHR Global HPSR, although the contract will be held by the one Joint Lead organisation, there must be two Joint Lead Applicants (either both from eligible low-and-middle-income country (LMIC) institutions, or one eligible LMIC based and one eligible UK based Higher Education Institution or Research Institute). There should be clear evidence of equitable partnerships involving institutes based in country(ies) on the OECD DAC list within the proposed research consortia. Please refer to the Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance.
- A maximum of three additional Co-Applicant organisations (in addition to the two Joint Leads) may form a research consortia for Global HPSR Researcher led awards. Collaborators involved should be listed within the detailed research proposal.
- The contractor is expected to respond to quarterly financial reconciliation exercises, provide the final financial reconciliation statement for the project, and to provide ad hoc requests for financial information during the lifetime of the project.
- In the same way, the contractor is expected to respond to any queries relating to Intellectual Property, commercialisation and benefit realisation.
For queries on potential contracting Organisations, please contact nets-finance@nihr.ac.uk before submitting your application.
Research Title
The project title should state clearly and concisely the proposed research and should be no more than 100 characters (not the 300 character count stated). Any abbreviations should be defined in full.
Research Type
Select the appropriate research type. If the proposed project includes any element of primary research, please select ‘Primary Research’. If carrying out new analysis of existing data, select ‘Secondary Research’. If unsure which category to select, choose the closest match to the project as this can be adjusted later.
Start Month
Applicants are required to refer to the Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance to know when the study would be required to start if successful.
Start Year
Applicants are required to refer to the Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance to know when the study would be required to start if successful.
Research Duration (months)
Applicants must ensure they include sufficient time to complete all aspects of the research including applications for regulatory approvals (where required) and the final report.
Please note: Global HPSR researcher-led award contracts should aim to start by 01 May 2023; the maximum award duration is up to four years.
Applicants are required to ensure the duration of the research does not exceed the maximum limit specified in the Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance.
End Date
This field will automatically populate once you have saved the research duration information.
Total Research Costs
These figures are automatically populated from the detailed budget section.
Previous Submissions
Has this application, or a similar application previously been submitted to this or any other funding body within the last 3 years? Select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ from the drop-down box to indicate whether this or a similar application has previously been submitted to this or any other funding body.
We are keen to know if the application has been submitted to this, another NIHR programme, or elsewhere, and you must be as open about this as possible. This includes, but is not limited to, any facts that, should they come to light at a future date, would embarrass either the programme or the individual who withheld the fact (e.g. if a member of the team holds a patent or has a financial interest within the research area).
Failure to disclose accurately or fully will be considered by the programme as academic misconduct and treated accordingly. You should also include in this section information on whether this or a similar application has been submitted to any programme previously, or to any other funder including other NIHR programmes. You should name and provide dates and outcomes of these. Please indicate whether you hold or have ever held an NIHR programme contract which has been terminated prior to completion or extended in time / in terms of funding.
If Yes: Use the ‘Select Previous Submissions’ button to select any relevant submissions from a list of your previous applications. If a previous submission was made to another funder or is not listed use the ‘+’ button under the 'Other Previous Submissions' section to record the details of that submission.
For more information about resubmission of a research/trainee funding application or joint funding please contact the appropriate NIHR research funding programme.
Research Team
You, your Joint Lead Applicant and Co-Applicants will need to log in to REALMS and access the application to update/confirm their contact profile details, link their ORCiDs, and complete their EDRS (Equality and Diversity information) forms.
Make sure you, your Joint Lead Applicant, and Co-Applicants read the associated 'REALMS Global Health user guide' document (available in REALMS) for detailed step by step instructions on how to complete the following tasks in REALMS.
Lead Applicant Research Background
Information on your name, Degrees and Professional Qualifications, Main and Other affiliated Organisations and contact details will be automatically populated from your contact profile. To update your contact profile click on the ‘My Profile’ icon on your home page or whilst in the application form by first clicking the ‘Update’ button alongside your details in the Research Team section and then clicking on the ‘Update Contact Profile’ button.
ORCiD
Please note: It is NIHR policy that all Applicants obtain a free unique ORCiD number and update their REALMS contact profile to include their ORCiD before the application can be submitted. By clicking the link ‘Create or connect your ORCiD ID’ within the ‘ORCID’ section of your user contact profile you will be taken to the ORCiD website where you will need to register or sign in. Once logged in to ORCiD and following acceptance of T&Cs, you will need to click on the ‘Continue to import your ORCID Data’ button which will update your profile with your ORCiD ID number and other associated data (e.g. publications and grants) which can be used to populate your application. The ORCiD ID number is a mandatory requirement and only has to be completed once.
Please note: The Joint Lead non-contracting institution and Co-Applicants will also be required to supply ORCiD detail within their ‘Applicant Detail Form’ within REALMS.
Equality and Diversity Reporting System (EDRS)
NIHR is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in research and asks applicants to provide Equality and Diversity Monitoring Information (age, sex, ethnicity and race, and disability). By answering these Equality and Diversity Monitoring Information questions, you will help us to better understand the different groups of people that apply to us for funding and their experiences of the funding process – particularly the groups protected by UK equality legislation. Although it is mandatory to answer these questions, it is possible to select “prefer not to say” as a response. However, the more information you provide, the more effective our monitoring will be. This information will not be used to make decisions about funding. These EDRS questions are undergoing review as part of NIHR’s ongoing commitment to equality diversity and inclusion.
Research Team – (Contracting Joint) Lead Applicant ‘update’
The Research Team section lists any applicants who have been added to this application. NOTE: the Joint Lead Applicant, Co-Applicants and Administrative contacts are all required to be invited and accept their participation in a single Stage 2 application. The ‘Update’ button can be used to access the Applicant Details Form for each applicant and update the details of each user's involvement in this application. Different types of applicants can be added (e.g. Co-Applicant / Co-Applicant CEI).
The Applicant Details Form for all applicants must be in ‘Submitted’ status in order to submit your application.
Click the ‘Update’ button to the right of your contracting Joint Lead Applicant information to add the information regarding your role on the application. This can also be used to update your contact profile.
Role (Limit: 200 characters)
Specify your contracting Joint Lead Applicant role in this research. Explain, in addition to your role as contracting Joint Lead Applicant, the role that you will be undertaking in the research, e.g. co-ordination and project management, analysis, methodological input etc.
% FTE Commitment
Contracting Joint Lead Applicant’s % FTE Commitment: This refers to the percentage of your time that you will commit to this project.
Organisation
Select your Primary Organisation for the purpose of this application. Your main organisation and any other affiliated organisations that you have already added will be listed by default. If the correct organisation is not listed, this can be added by using the ‘Update contact profile’ button towards the top of the page and adding a new organisation (to do this click on ‘Other Organisation’ in the left hand selection bar). Department – Select the primary department affiliated with.
Department (Limit: 100 characters)
Select your department for the purpose of this application.
Application Research Background
Recent Relevant Publications
Provide details of a MAXIMUM of 6 of your most recent / relevant publications (in the last 10 years) relevant to this application (using Vancouver or Harvard citation format).
To add relevant publications, click on the ‘Open’ button and either select the relevant listed publications pulled in from your ORCiD record, and/or add any other new relevant publications. Once complete click ‘Save selected Publications’.
Research Grants Held
This should include research grants held (as a named applicant) CURRENTLY or IN THE LAST 5 YEARS – as well as any additional previous grants, relevant to this application. Please include who the grant is with and the amount of each grant.
To add relevant research grants, click on the ‘Open’ button and either select the relevant listed research grant pulled in from your ORCiD record, and/or add any other relevant research grants. Once complete click ‘Save selected Publications’.
For each entry you should state: registration number and name of registry and the DOI of the main related publication. Where the study is still ongoing or final results have not yet been published, please provide an estimated publication date. This is in line with the NIHR policy on clinical trial registration and disclosure of results.
Once all information has been entered and saved, click the ‘Complete’ button.
Joint Lead Applicant
In the following sections you will need to individually add the name of your Joint Lead. Their roles and equitable contributions to the project should be described in the relevant section of the Detailed Research Plan in section 7.1, ‘Structure of the research team’.
For the Global HPSR Awards it is mandatory for applications to have two joint Lead Applicants (either two from eligible low-and-middle-income country (LMIC) institutions, or one eligible LMIC-based and one eligible UK-based Higher Education Institution or Research Institute).
Use the envelope icon to add a non-contracting Joint Lead applicant. Enter the details requested including the role/access rights depending on whether you want them to be able to Edit the application or have Read only access. Access to Financials only applies at Stage 2 when a full project budget is required.
When you have entered the details click 'Invite' which will add them to your application and send an invitation email with instructions on what they need to do next to accept participation in your application.
Once you enter the non-contracting Joint Lead Applicant’s details they will receive an automated email informing them that this information has been added into our REsearch Awards Lifecycle Management System (REALMS) in conjunction with your application. Therefore, we would expect you to have consulted with the Joint Lead Applicant before adding their details into REALMS. Applicants must ensure the use of the correct email address for the second Joint Lead Applicant if they are already registered on REALMS.
When they have accepted they will be listed in your Research Team.
The Joint Lead Applicant will need to log in to complete their ‘Applicant Detail Form’, EDRS, publications and grants information.
Click 'Update' by the Joint Lead Applicant to enter their Role, %FTE Commitment, Organisation for this application and Department and click 'Save'.
Please note: It will be the responsibility of the contracting Joint Lead Applicant to ensure that these tasks are completed in good time. YOU WILL NOT be able to submit your application until the status of the non-contracted Joint Lead shows as ‘Submitted’. Your application will be rejected if these sections have not been completed correctly.
Co-Applicants
In the following sections you will need to individually add the names of your Co-Applicants. Their roles and equitable contributions to the project should be described in section 7.1: Detailed Research Plan, ‘Structure of the team’. The HPSR Award will only allow a maximum of five HEI or Research Institutes in a consortium, comprising two Joint Lead Applicants and a maximum of up to three additional Co-Applicants. There is no limit on the number of Collaborators including service level providers as long as these are manageable and proportionate to activities.
Use the ‘Add / Edit Co-Applicants’ button to add a Co-Applicant(s) to your application and complete the necessary information. Once complete click the ‘Invite’ button. Once a Co-Applicant has accepted their invitation they will appear in the Research Team list, and their information can be edited as necessary. Where appropriate Co-Applicants will need to log in to complete their ‘Applicant Detail Form’, EDRS, publications and grants information.
Co-Applicants are those individuals with responsibility for the day to day management and delivery of the project. Co-Applicants are considered part of the project team and are expected to share responsibility for its successful delivery. Collaborators normally provide specific expertise on particular aspects of the project but who do not share in the responsibility for the delivery of the project.
Access Type: The access rights should be set to ‘Edit’ if you wish the Co-Applicants to be able to edit the application.
Please note: It will be the responsibility of the contracting Joint Lead Applicant to ensure that these tasks are completed in good time. YOU WILL NOT be able to submit your application until the status of the Co-Applicants shows as ‘Submitted’. Your application will be rejected if these sections have not been completed correctly.
Do not include Collaborators in this section, further details on Collaborators should be included in the the research team section within the Detailed Research Plan upload. Collaborators are those who provide specific expertise on particular aspects of the project/programme and would form part of your wider research team. They do not share in the responsibility for the delivery of the project.
CEI Co-Applicants:
This could include information about:
- Previous or present work (paid or unpaid) with any relevant organisations
- Links with any relevant groups, committees, networks or organisations
- Experience of particular health conditions, treatments, use of services, being a carer - or as a member of a particular community
- Knowledge and experience of research including previous research undertaken
- Knowledge and experience of patient and public involvement including previous involvement activities
- Skills from any other roles that are transferable
- Relevant qualifications, training and learning
Other Supporting roles/Signatories
- Administrative Authority or Finance Officer
- Contracting Organisation Head of Department
- Non-Contracting Organisation Head of Department
Please note: If, as contracting Lead Applicant, you are also signing as Head of Department, you should not complete this signatory task until you are ready to submit your application form. Once the contracting Lead Applicant completes the Head of Department signatory task, various fields within the application form will become non-editable.
Please note: Administrative Authority or Finance Officer and Head of Department for the contractor are required to sign off the application, as they will be managing the contract. The non-contracting Joint Lead must have, at a minimum, a Head of Department signatory. Others can be added if required; however, you must ensure they are in a position to access REALMS to complete their tasks.
The sponsor has responsibility for ensuring that a trial is run to the highest standards and meets all applicable regulatory and research governance requirements. This responsibility is accepted by the contractor when it signs the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) contract. The contractor should ensure that there are systems in place to manage sponsorship requirements. The NIHR, the funder, and managing agent for contracts on behalf of the DHSC, must be informed of the name of the Sponsor(s) of any study/trial and the arrangements for independent oversight. Through collaboration agreements between Co-Applicants and Collaborators, the sponsor will ensure the flow down of the relevant DHSC contractual terms and where any local sponsorship is required, that this complies with local regulations and standards at least equivalent to those in the UK.
Once added and saved you will need to click on the ‘Invite’ button to invite the Signatories to accept their role and gain access to the application form. The Signatories will received an email notification with clear links to follow.
Please note: It will be the responsibility of the contracting Joint Lead Applicant to ensure that these tasks are completed in good time. YOU WILL NOT be able to submit your application until the status of the Signatories show as ‘Accepted’ Your application will be in-eligible and rejected if this section is not completed correctly.
Administrative Contact Details
This facility allows you to provide an alternative contact(s) who will also have access to the application but will not be able to submit it when complete.
The Lead Applicant must submit the completed application and will still receive all emails automatically generated through the system.
If you wish to include an Administrative Contact use the envelope icon below to enter the Administrative Contact's details and invite them to participate in this application. Once added and saved you will need to click on the ‘Invite’ button to invite the Administrative contact to accept their role and gain access to the application form (based on the Role read/edit access that you provided). The Administrative contact will received an email notification with clear links to follow.
Electronic signatures
Each person nominated to a supporting role will be required to tick a check box indicating that they have read and understood the terms and conditions on which they have been nominated for this proposal and accept this role. Ticking this box constitutes an electronic signature of the supporting role with regard to this application.
Once the application form is completed and prior to submission, the contracting Joint Lead Applicant is required to tick a check box to indicate that they have read and understood the terms on which they have been nominated as contracting Joint Lead Applicant for this proposal along with the associated documentation, and therefore accept this role.
No original (wet ink) signatures are required for this application.
Signatory statements
Applicants must ensure that the required signatories (above) are aware of the statements of responsibility that they are agreeing to by making an electronic signature. The statements can be found by clicking on the following link: Signatory statement.
Application Details
Research Location
Applicants must select all countries where you will be conducting your research or forming research consortia. If you are working with countries not on the OECD DAC list please tick Yes. You will then be required to enter which non-LMIC countries you are working with in the application form.
Scientific Abstract (3500 characters)
The scientific abstract should be a clear, concise scientific summary of the detailed research plan/methods (one side of A4 maximum – 3500 characters).
The following is a list of potential elements / headings that might be included depending on the design of the proposed research, the setting and programme award being applied to, and whether it is for primary research and/or evidence synthesis. It will be for researchers to decide what should be included in the Scientific Abstract and could include elements outside this list. Applicants may find the guidance on the EQUATOR Network website useful.
- Research question
- Background
- Aims and objectives
- Methods
- Timelines for delivery
- Anticipated impact and dissemination
Plain English summary (3500 characters)
We are not expecting full details at the intent to submit stage just the basic outline of your project.
A plain English summary is a clear and accessible explanation of your research. It is not the same as a scientific abstract - please do not cut and paste this or other sections of your application form to create the plain English summary.
A good quality plain English summary providing an easy to read overview of your whole study will help:
- those carrying out the review (reviewers and assessment committee members) to have a better understanding of your research proposal.
- inform others about your research such as members of the public, health professionals, policy makers and the media.
- the research funders to publicise the research that they fund.
If the plain English summary is not considered to be clear and of a good quality, you may be required to amend it prior to final funding approval.
It is helpful to involve patients / carers / communities or members of the public in developing a plain English summary.
When writing your summary consider including the following information where appropriate:
- Aim(s) of the research
- Background to the research
- Design and methods used
- Community Engagement and Involvement
- Dissemination
Further guidance on writing in plain English is available online at NIHR.
For further support and advice on writing a plain English summary, please contact the UK Research Design Service (where applicable).
ODA compliance (2500 characters)
Click add to complete your answer to this question.
Applicants must provide a statement that demonstrates how the proposal meets key ODA funding requirements. It must provide information that addresses the following points:
- which country(ies) on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development’s (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of ODA-eligible countries will directly benefit;
- how the application is directly and primarily relevant to the development challenges of those countries;
- how the outcomes will promote the health and welfare of people in the country or countries on the DAC list;
- where all or part of the research is not undertaken in an ODA-eligible country during the course of the award (including where a country graduates from the DAC list during the lifetime of the award or there is a need for specialist expertise) the application must clearly state the reasons for this with due consideration to the benefit of the research to ODA-eligible countries;
- to consider whether the ODA-eligible country/ies you intend to work in/with are due to graduate from the DAC-list in 2023, as these would no longer be eligible for ODA funding.
Community Engagement and Involvement (3500 characters)
Click add to complete the answer to this question.
Describe how all relevant community and key stakeholders will be involved in informing the design, methods and research outcomes, and in managing, monitoring, evaluating and disseminating the research, as relevant to your study design. Please refer to the detailed guidance in the NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 13: 'Community Engagement and Involvement'.
Detailed Budget
Justification of costs (8000 characters)
Uploads
In this section you should upload the required/requested documents to support your application. You will not be able to submit your application unless you have uploaded those listed under Stage 2 Required Uploads:
You should only include uploads specified in the guidance document, e.g. cover letter, collaborative documents. Any additional documents will not be considered by the funding committee during its review.
Only Word documents and PDFs can be uploaded into REALMS, so if your file is not a .doc, .docx or .pdf you will need to convert it to PDF. To upload a file click the upload button under the relevant upload type and drag and drop the files, or click the browse button and search your PC to find the file and click Open.
To remove uploaded documents tick the document(s) by clicking to the left of the file name(s) or to the left of File Name to select them all and click the 'Delete' icon.
If the file is a Word document you will see it listed twice - as a Word document and as a PDF - and if you need to remove one of your uploaded Word documents, for example, if you need to replace it with an amended version you will need to delete the Word version and the PDF version before uploading the new version.
Required Upload 1: Detailed Research Plan
Using all of the headings in the order presented below, please use this section to clearly explain your proposed research. For further information on what is required under each heading please refer to BOTH the Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance for specific requirements and the NIHR Global Health Research Programmes- Core guidance.
As this is the main part of your application which will be considered by the reviewing panel, you should ensure that the information is accurate, succinct, clearly laid out and provides sufficient methodological detail.
- Full research title (cut and paste from above)
- Summary (cut and paste from Scientific Abstract)
- Background and rationale
- Aims and objectives
- Research plan / methods
- Research expertise / Structure of the team
- Approach to creating equitable and sustainable partnerships
- Training and capacity strengthening in LMICs
- Project management / Governance
- Approach to Risk management and Assurance / Safeguarding
- Regulatory approvals
- Dissemination, outputs and anticipated impact
- Success criteria and barriers
- Project research timetable
Full Research Title
This section should clearly state what the proposed research is. Any abbreviations should be defined and should be no more than 100 characters. Please cut and paste from the main application.
Summary of Research (abstract)
Provide an expert summary of the project plan of investigation plus any additional points required to support statements made in the above sections, and include any key references required to justify the points made (e.g. in the use of particular outcome measures or methods of analysis). Please cut and paste from your Scientific Abstract.
Background and Rationale
Set out the background and rationale for the research. Describe how the proposed research programme addresses unmet health needs in ODA-eligible countries; how the research plans are based on a review of the local context/health system(s) and existing literature; how the proposed research would fill a demonstrable evidence gap; and how the proposed research is within the remit of the call.
Refer to Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance section 6.1: ‘key criteria for funding’.
Aims and objectives
Summarise the key strategic aims, research questions and objectives for your research programme, and provide a concise statement of the proposed research and how this will lead to sustainability of research within LMICs beyond the term of the NIHR funding award.
Research Plan / Methods
Strategy for reviewing literature (in the case of projects involving an evidence synthesis aspect):
Explain the criteria to be applied to assess the quality and relevance of studies identified by the search strategy. Provide an explanation of how these will be decided if they are not yet known. Describe your methods for combining, aggregating or synthesising research findings and different forms of evidence.
Design and theoretical/conceptual framework:
Provide a brief statement on the type of study design to be used, and the theoretical framing, concepts and models to be used. Please ensure that studies fall ‘In-scope’ for this call and cross-refer to what is ‘Out of Scope’ in the Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance.
Target populations:
Describe for all projects your approach and rationale for selecting research sites and subjects. For work packages with trials and studies please include details on the planned intervention and who will deliver them, inclusion and exclusion criteria, methods of allocation, and provide justification for sample size and power calculations, as appropriate.
Setting/context:
Data collection:
Describe the data you plan to collect. Depending upon your study design and methodology, you may need to explain what data collection instruments or measures you plan to use, and whether you will be using instruments already developed and tested elsewhere or instruments which you will develop as part of this project. For example, where cost or outcome data is to be collected, you need to make clear and justify your approach to defining and measuring the costs or outcomes in question. You should make clear the link between the data collected and the research questions outlined earlier. Describe ethics or governance considerations in relation to the project including use and storage of sensitive data.
Data analysis:
Describe how you plan to analyse the data you have collected. Depending upon your study design and methodology, you may need to explain what quantitative statistical methods you plan to employ, your methods for qualitative data analysis, and your approach to combining data from multiple methods or sources.
Ethical considerations:
Outline any ethical considerations associated with the research, for example, if the research involves vulnerable individuals or groups (such as children under the age of 18, individuals lacking capacity to consent) then please describe how you will manage their involvement.
For research involving human participants please describe plans for ethical review of the proposed activities in the relevant LMIC and/or non-LMIC countries).
You may find it useful to refer to the following online resources:
- The MRC guidance on research involving human participants in LMICs
- The Health Research Authority (HRA)
- Tool to help you decide whether you need ethical approval
- The Wellcome Trust’s guidelines on research involving people living in low-and middle-income countries
- MRC guidelines for the management of global health trials.
Research expertise / Structure of the team
Explain why the proposed research team is qualified to do this research, describing the track record of the interdisciplinary research team in the relevant area, including publication outputs, grant income and impact on health service practice and policy. State clearly the particular contribution that each of the two named Joint Leads and up to three additional Co-Applicants will make towards the research, and as necessary, indicating the intended contribution by collaborators.
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core guidance section 2: ‘Research Expertise and Structure of Team’ and Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance for specific requirements.
Approach to creating equitable and sustainable partnership consortia
Describe your approach to creating equitable and sustainable partnership consortia and potential/ feasibility to generate sustainable advances in capacity and capability building in LMIC(s).
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 3: ‘Equitable and Sustainable Partnerships’.
Training and Capacity Strengthening in LMICs
Please detail how, through your proposed programme, you intend to develop research capacity for the long term at individual and institutional level to support sustainability and the research eco-system as a whole.
Details must be provided on the planned numbers of each type of formal training post, how these posts will be advertised in open competition, and how individuals will be supported to develop a formal training plan.
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 4: ‘Training and Capacity Strengthening‘ and Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance for specific call requirements.
Project management / Governance
Please outline the practical arrangements for managing the proposed research, its constituent components, and governance arrangements.
Identify the project management processes that will ensure that the milestones are reached in a timely manner. This should include the roles and responsibilities of those individuals undertaking the proposed research and set out reporting lines, steering/advisory committee involvement, and the schedule of meetings of the proposed research group to permit coordination, evaluation of progress and dissemination of findings.
You should also highlight the role of any advisory groups associated with the proposed research.
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 5: ‘Programme Management and Governance’.
Approach to Risk management and Assurance / Safeguarding
Please provide clear details on the risks and challenges, as well as mitigating actions, in delivering the proposed work.
Please provide plans for
- Financial assurance, ODA compliance, monitoring and auditing of expenditure in the ODA-eligible countries
- Fraud, bribery and corruption
- Safeguarding
Applications should include a delivery chain risk map (see section 7.2 below) to show the overall structure of the consortia/collaborations, the distribution of ODA funds to consortia/collaborators, and the associated downstream risks and accountability for the risks down to the end beneficiaries.
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 6: ‘Approach to Risk Management and Assurance’.
Regulatory approvals
Outline plans for ethical review and obtaining regulatory approvals of the proposed activities in all relevant countries (LMIC and non-LMIC).
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 9: ‘Regulatory Approvals and Compliance'.
Dissemination, Outputs and anticipated impact
Describe the planned outputs of the research, how these will be communicated and to whom, and detail the proposed short, medium and longer term impact of the research.
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 10: ‘Dissemination, Outputs and anticipated Impact’ and Global HPSR Researcher-led Call remit guidance for specific requirements.
Success Criteria and barriers
Describe the critical path of the proposed research programme and the equitable partnership development and capacity strengthening plans, quarterly for the first 12 months, then annually thereafter, outlining how the research team will demonstrate successful attainment of these milestones each year.
Describe any known or anticipated challenges and risks which the research team may face in research set-up, delivery and uptake, equitable partnership development and capacity strengthening, and consider challenges faced by the collaborating institutions in partner countries.
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 12: ‘Success Criteria for and barriers to proposed work’.
Research Project timetable
Provide details on the project timetable and owners for work packages - a detailed Gantt chart should be uploaded (see Required Upload section 7.3 below) with quarterly key deliverables and critical milestones clearly set out to end of year one; annual key deliverables and critical milestones should be set out from the end of year 1 to the end of the award period.
Global HPSR Researcher-led awards are recommended to consider inclusion of a set-up period within the overall timetable to support the development of research consortia as required.
Required Upload 2: Delivery Chain Risk Map
Applicants must provide a Word or PDF of the delivery chain map for your research programme. Please refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section: 6.1 ‘Delivery Chain Risk Maps’ for further information.
Please see Annex 1 below for an example of a Delivery Chain Risk Map. This should be supplemented with details of funding flows to downstream partners, activities undertaken by partners, lines of accountability and responsibility, key risks identified for individual partners, and controls and mitigations.
Required Upload 3: Gantt chart or Project Management Plan
The Gantt chart or project management plan should make it clear to readers how your plans will be delivered over the duration of the project, with responsibilities, critical milestones and key deliverables clearly set out which relate to the key milestones/deliverables and success criteria as highlighted within the Detailed Research Plan section.
Suggested headings may include:
| Ref no | Task/Activity description | Key Deliverables/ Milestones/Information Required/Tasks | Lead(s) | Associated Workstreams and dependencies | Year/month (column for each month of project) |
|---|
A Global Health Research gantt chart template is available for researchers to use if required. To request access to the gantt chart template please contact us at nihrglobalhealth@nihr.ac.uk.
Required Upload 4: References
Please list all references cited in the application, using either the Vancouver or Harvard referencing conventions. This will be limited to 2 pages.
Optional uploads:
Optional Upload 1: Letter of support from the Contracting Joint Lead Applicant
Applicants must use this upload type for a letter of support from the contracting Joint Lead Applicant which must give clear agreement of the institutions intention to participate in the study and their agreement to supply space, facilities and the time required for the person to carry out the work activities outlined in the application.
Optional Upload 2: Letter of support form non-contracting Joint Lead
Applicants must use this upload type to provide evidence of support from the non-contracting Joint Lead institution. This should be in the form of a letter and it must give clear agreement of the institution’s intention to participate in the study and their agreement to give access to core staff, supply space, facilities and the time required for the person to carry out the work activities outlined in the application.
Optional Upload 3: Letters of support from Co-applicants and other major contributors
Applicants must use this upload type for Co-applicants, or other major contributors included in the application. A letter of support is required from each Co-applicant institution (one per institution), which must give clear agreement of the institutions intention to participate in the study and their agreement to supply space, facilities and the time required for the person to carry out the work activities outlined in the application.
Optional Upload 4: Additional letters of support
Applicants may upload a limited number additional letters (recommend not more than 5, additional to those specifically requested) that give significant weight to the application. Please be highly selective and only include those that have the potential to significantly influence the assessors of your application.
Optional Upload 5: Flow Chart
Applicants may supply and upload a flow diagram illustrating the study design and the flow of participants.
Optional Upload 6: Figures
Applicants may upload any figures that are required to illustrate their proposed research.
Optional Upload 7: Draft Theory of Change
Applicants may include a draft Theory of Change which should be developed with relevant stakeholders and outline how the funded activities are expected to contribute to a chain of results that lead to the intended scale up of impacts on policy and practice.
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 10: ‘Dissemination, Outputs and anticipated Impact’ for full guidance.
Optional Upload 8: Draft Risk Register
Applicants can include a detailed risk management matrix. The draft risk management matrix should show the potential risks, impact and steps to mitigate those risks. A mutually agreed risk register and schedule of milestones and deliverables will be critical tools in informing our approach to monitoring.
Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 6.2: ‘Risk Registers’ for full guidance.
Optional Upload 9: Draft collaboration or sub-contract agreements
Applicants may upload draft collaboration and sub-contract agreements if they are available at the time of application. Refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 7: ‘Research Contract and Collaboration Agreements’ for full guidance.
Acknowledgment & Conflicts
Potential Conflicts (limit 2000 characters)
Please declare any conflicts or potential conflicts of interest that you or your Co-Applicants may have in undertaking this research, including any relevant, non-personal and commercial interest that could be perceived as a conflict of interest.
Potential conflicts of interest exist when a relevant or secondary interest which if not declared may lead to a perception of bias, embarrass, or put the credibility of the NIHR, the programme or the individual at risk.
Potential Conflicts of interest:
Personal financial: This includes where an Applicant, their partner or close family member, have a financial or commercial interest in the research through other employment, honoraria, contracts, academic collaborations where income has been personally received or attributed, consultancies, directorships, shares.
Personal non-financial: This includes where an Applicant, their partner or close family member have a non-financial or unremunerated involvement with organisations, such as directorships of companies or organisations honorary contracts, unpaid academic collaborations, memberships, charities, Trustees, membership of political or pressure groups.
Non-personal financial: This includes funding to a department or research institute and not to an individual.
Other Interests: Other interests not mentioned above, but which you consider could be perceived to lead to a conflict of interest.
Agreement to the Terms and Conditions
I have read and understood the terms on which I have been nominated as Lead Applicant (UK or LMIC contracting Joint Lead) for this proposal along with the associated documentation and accept this role. A list of terms and conditions can be found here: Terms and conditions.
Checklist of information to include when submitting a NIHR Global Health Research application
Applicants should click the check boxes to indicate that they have included the necessary information prior to submitting their application.
- A clear Scientific Abstract
- A good quality Plain English Summary of Research
- A clear description of team member roles and contribution, including identification of named leads for project management, Training, Community Engagement and Involvement, Data Management, and Monitoring Evaluation and Learning.
- Appropriate and relevant involvement of Community Engagement and Involvement, patients/service user, carers and the public.
- A clear justification of costs / value for money
- A clear Detailed Research Plan outlining the study design, methods, dissemination etc (document upload)
- Delivery Chain Risk Map (document upload)
- Gantt chart (document upload)
- References (maximum 2 pages of A4 - document upload)
- The support and agreement from the necessary supporting roles / signatories required for organisational sign-off
Optional uploads:
- Letter of support from non-contracting Joint Lead Applicant
- Letter of support from the contracting Joint Lead Applicant
- Letters of support from Co-Applicants and other major contributors
- Additional letters of support (up to 5)
- Flow Chart - if submitting a flow chart, applicants should describe complex interventions and controls as accurately and fully as possible, within their diagram. Applicants may find the EQUATOR Network website useful.
- Figures
- Draft Theory of Change
- Draft Risk Register
- Draft collaboration or sub-contract agreements
Review and Submit
If at any time you want to know what you still need to complete to be able to submit your application, click 'Info Still Required'.
Most of the items in the list are hyperlinks that will take you to the place in the application where the missing information can be entered.
Once your application no longer shows the above warning, you will be able to submit. You will not be able to Submit until all required sections are completed.
Once you have submitted your form you will need to inform your signatories so they can complete their final sign off tasks. They will have automatically been sent an approval task which they are required to submit.
Contact Us
For enquiries about this call, please e-mail us at nihrglobalhealth@nihr.ac.uk
Postal address:
NIHR Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre
University of Southampton, Alpha House
Enterprise Road, Southampton, SO16 7NS
Annex 1
Delivery chain risk map
NIHR requires a delivery chain risk map to:
- Understand how funding flows from the contractor to downstream delivery partners and the roles each partner has in achieving programme outcome(s).
- Capture and manage risks that could affect programme outcomes.
- Ensure risks are being managed by those best placed to do so.
- Strengthen programme management capacity and programme delivery.
- Respond quickly and efficiently to requests for information about funding to specific organisations, in a time of increased scrutiny.
Please see an example of a delivery chain map for more information
The Delivery Chain map should clearly outline the full details on the funding flows from the contractor (blue arrows), and include accountability and reporting lines (using red arrows arrows) and boxes outlining a) the key risks identified for each of the delivery chain partners and b) relevant risk controls and mitigating actions. For more information on the format and content, please see the following formatting and content guidance.
Please also refer to NIHR Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance section 6.1: 'Delivery Chain Risk Maps'. These documents should be updated at least annually and will be used to support programme management and monitoring, helping all those involved in programme delivery remain alert to new and emerging risks, and it is the responsibility of the contract to report any emerging changes to NIHR.