Eligibility
Am I eligible to apply?
We are keen to hear from all organisations that have a proposal for primary prevention, early intervention and/or deterrent-based activities that could credibly help reduce demand for drugs.
We recommend that organisations that don’t have an established R&D function apply in partnership with a researcher. Organisations and individuals looking for potential collaborators can email NIHR at nocri@nihr.ac.uk, including a short description of the proposed intervention to be developed, the type of collaborators sought (such as academics, practitioners or community-based organisations) and the kind of contribution needed from those collaborators. The NOCRI team at NIHR can then look to match up appropriate organisations to discuss ideas.
For free help writing your research proposal please contact the Research Design Service.
Are only health organisations able to apply as it is being funded through NIHR?
No - organisations from any sector can apply to the fund. We are working with NIHR and all relevant government departments to identify a broad range of independent experts from across different sectors to assess applications at each phase.
Which organisations are eligible to lead bids? Should lead applicants be local public health teams, local authorities, academic institutions, third sector organisations, police forces or other organisations?
Any UK-based organisation that is a legal entity can act as the lead applicant for a proposal. We are keen to see bids from a broad range of sectors, including but not limited to public health teams, local authorities, academic institutions, third sector organisations, police forces, schools, universities and youth clubs.
What if I am already implementing an intervention and just need some funding for evaluation. Can I apply?
This sort of proposal would be in scope for Phase 2 funding.
Are government departments and devolved administrations eligible to apply?
Yes. The fund is open to applications from any organisation that is a legal entity and has a credible proposal for reducing drug demand. However, it cannot be used to provide additional funding for activities that are already being financed through other existing local or national budgets.
Would my proposed intervention have to be piloted in England?
No. Interventions can be piloted anywhere in the UK. However, when assessing applications our committee of experts will be looking to see that bids are consistent with the aims of the HMG drugs strategy and/or the UK Government’s overall approach to tackling drugs, and that they could eventually be implemented in areas where policy responsibility for the relevant sector is reserved to the UK Government. This includes ensuring that proposals are likely to be supported within the existing UK government policy landscape. For example, healthcare-related interventions would need to be replicable in England, and interventions relating to policing and criminal justice would need to be replicable in England and Wales.
Can international partners be included as part of a project team?
Yes, as long as it makes sense for the application. However, the lead applicant must be based in the UK and, if found to be successful, the proposed intervention must be deliverable in those UK nations where policy responsibility for the relevant sector is reserved to the UK government. For example, healthcare-related interventions should be deliverable in England and interventions relating to policing and the criminal justice system should be deliverable in England and Wales.
Is there a limit to the number of applications any one person or organisation can submit or be part of the project team for?
No. However, researchers should be aware that their time allocation to each project should not exceed 100% in the event that all of their applications are recommended for funding.
My proposal contrasts current government proposals and policy, am I eligible for this programme?
Any projects that are implemented at the end of the programme would need to align with government policy and approach regarding so-called recreational drugs. If you have a proposal that contrasts the government’s current policies and approaches, an alternative funding programme within NIHR may be more appropriate. You can find information about other funding opportunities here.
Can proposals include intervention delivery costs?
Intervention delivery costs can be included in your proposal, however they can only be included for the length of the phase and applicants must bear in mind that their proposal will be judged on value for money by the Committee.
The Application Process
How do I apply?
You must apply using the online form in the Research Management System (RMS), which will be made available when the call opens on 24 May 2023.
Why are there two stages to the application process?
A two stage application process enables the independent committee to offer advice on the stage 1 application and idea before it goes on to a full stage 2 application. This ensures that all applications invited to stage 2 are well developed ahead of consideration for funding. This also means that the final projects selected for funding to be in the best possible place to get the most out of the evaluation. This approach also minimises the time investment of teams whose proposals are least likely to be successful or who are not eligible.
Do service providers need to partner up with a research lead before submitting an expression of interest, or could we use that process to find one? How can we link up with researchers for our applications and proposed projects?
NIHR have a system that enables organisations to be put in touch with researchers, and vice versa, to discuss ideas. There is no guarantee that a match will be successful, however.
Organisations and individuals looking for potential collaborators can email NIHR at nocri@nihr.ac.uk, including a short description of the proposed intervention to be developed, the type of collaborators sought (such as academics, practitioners or community-based organisations) and the kind of contribution needed from those collaborators.
When will I hear whether my application has been successful?
The call for Stage 1 bids will close on 19 July 2023. The bids will then be assessed by an independent committee made up of experts. We are aiming to inform applicants of the outcome of their Stage 1 applications in September 2023. Stage 2 will open to those successful at Stage 1 on 18 October 2023 and will close on 13 December 2023. Projects will be able to begin 01 May 2024, following due diligence and contracting processes.
If my bid is unsuccessful, are there any other funding pots I can apply to? Or can I apply again for Phase 3?
You may wish to consider applying to other funding opportunities run by NIHR.
You may also wish to apply again when Phase 3 of the Innovation Fund to Reduce Demand for Illicit Substances opens for bids. However, please note that the two phases have different areas of focus: Phase 2 will focus on the piloting and evaluation of interventions, while Phase 3 will focus on implementation of interventions.
Phases of the Fund
What is the difference between the phases?
In Phase 1, we were accepting proposals which undertook the necessary preparatory work to prepare for an evaluation in Phase 2. These included proposals such as development and refinement of interventions, preliminary studies, developing collaborations and partnerships, and undertaking necessary stakeholder engagement and public involvement.
In Phase 2, we will be accepting proposals for further development, refinement, testing and evaluation of successful Phase 1 projects and other existing interventions.
In Phase 3, we will be accepting proposals looking at the implementation and rollout of interventions that have been sufficiently tested.
If successful in Phase 2, will we still need to submit applications for funding at Phase 3?
Yes, each phase will be assessed separately, and each application assessed on its merits. Further information about the requirements for Phase 3 will be published in due course.
My intervention is ready for piloting and evaluation, but am I less likely to be successful at Phase 2 if I haven’t been part of Phase 1?
No. The division of the overall budget for the fund means that different numbers of projects can be funded in each phase, and Phase 1 projects looking for further funding for Phase p will need to complete a further application and demonstrate successful outcomes. Strong bids received in the Phase 2 and Phase 3 application processes will not be disadvantaged relative to those bids received in Phase 1.
If my project is successful in securing Phase 1 funding but is unsuccessful in progressing to Phase 2, can I apply for Phase 2 funding for a different project?
Yes. All applications will be assessed equally regardless of any other applications submitted. You may also still apply for Phase 3 if your project is ready.
If my intervention is found to be successful, will the innovation fund provide sustained investment to support its continued delivery in the community?
While the fund is intended to support evaluation and implementation of new interventions, where these have been found to be effective we would not typically cover ongoing implementation and delivery costs. However, we will be able to consider evidence from successful interventions as part of future government spending cycles.
Background and Scope of the Fund
Why are you looking only at so-called recreational drug use?
There is a lot of research and other work going on across government focusing on dependency on drugs like opioids and crack cocaine, and the evidence around use and treatment in relation to these substances is much clearer. However, much less is known about how to prevent so-called recreational drug use. Much of the evidence available on this topic tells us what doesn’t work, and robust data on approaches that are effective in reducing this kind of drug use is comparatively limited. The Innovation Fund is therefore focused on so-called recreational drugs and drug use.
The call specification lists cannabis, cocaine, nitrous oxide and ecstasy as examples of recreational drugs that would be in scope. Are any other drugs in scope? Could bids focus on other drugs that are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act, such as anabolic steroids? What about drugs that are not controlled, such as weight loss drugs?
All drugs that are controlled under the Misuse of Drugs Act and are likely to be misused for so-called recreational purposes are in scope, as are all substances that fall under the Psychoactive Substances Act and/or are covered in Crime Survey for England and Wales (ONS) or Smoking, Drinking, and Drug use among young people data collection (NHSD). If the substance is not covered by any of these pieces of legislation or surveys, it will not be in scope.
Would bids looking at alcohol misuse be considered?
As alcohol is not a controlled substance and does not fall under the Psychoactive Substances Act, interventions aimed solely or primarily at reducing alcohol use will not be in scope. However, if a proposed intervention that focuses primarily on drug misuse would also address how alcohol is consumed alongside drugs, this would be considered.
Why are you looking at primary prevention and early intervention?
There is a lot of research and work going on across government looking at addiction and dependency. However, much less is known about how to prevent and reduce so-called recreational drug use. Our assessment is that to address so-called recreational use, we need to try to prevent people from beginning to use drugs in the first place and try to prevent those already using from continuing to do so.
Why is this limited to pilots and population level interventions?
So-called recreational drug use is a population level issue, and much of it is done in secret due to the illicit nature of the substances. We therefore feel that pilots and population level interventions will be more effective to curb this type of drug use than clinical trials. Survey research could be eligible for funding in Phase 2 if applicants can show that it would lead to the development of an intervention to be trialled in communities.
Why are you looking at such a broad range of age groups?
Rising drug use among adults is primarily driven by increasing use among 16-24 year olds, and the 2022 prevention review undertaken by the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs highlighted that the pool of evidence available on preventative approaches for adults is very limited. We also know that the most sustainable approach to reducing demand for drugs in the long term is building the resilience of young people. We have therefore chosen to retain a broad scope for the fund and invite bids that relate to any age group from 11 upwards.
Would the funding call also focus on building up sector capacity and skills (including skills for commissioning of prevention), or is the focus primarily on 'interventions'?
The main aim of the call is to expand the evidence base. We would therefore consider bids containing innovation to develop and mobilise the workforce, and where it is clear that evidence for further expansion of that innovation will be provided. However, this fund is not just for staff training or day to day delivery costs.
Would an intervention aimed at situations where so-called recreational drug use has already been initiated be within scope?
Yes. Proposals can relate to primary prevention and/or early intervention activities.
Where can I find existing evidence on what does and does not work in preventing so-called recreational drug use?
We suggest you look at the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’ 2022 prevention review and the PHE international evidence on the prevention of drug and alcohol use.