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INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research Round 1 Guidance Notes

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Published: 14 June 2023

Version: 1

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Introduction

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is pleased to announce the launch of the NIHR INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research Scheme, funded by the Department of Health and Social Care.

This document provides full details of the competition, describes the means by which applications should be submitted and details how they will be assessed.

Background

The NIHR works in partnership to fund, enable and deliver world-leading health and social care research through partnership with patients, service users, carers and other stakeholders in different communities.

Across the NIHR we are passionate about people and developing careers in research. NIHR develops and coordinates academic training, career development and research capacity development through the NIHR Academy’s awards and programmes.

We play a pivotal role in attracting, training and supporting the best researchers to tackle the complex health and care challenges of the future and complement additional NIHR investment in world-class research facilities and a skilled research workforce. NIHR aims to develop a highly-skilled research workforce capable of advancing the best research which improves health and care, and benefits society and the economy.

The NIHR INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research scheme is a new initiative opening in June 2023 as part of the NIHR Academy’s expanded portfolio of career support for health and social care professionals.

The scheme will provide three years of support for institutionally-led regional programmes to deliver innovative engagement programmes and funded Research Masters Studentships. The scheme aims to showcase and attract students in registered healthcare, social work and public health professions (not including doctors and dentists) into the full range of research careers from research delivery to academic.

INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research Competition

The INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research scheme will allow institutions to apply for funding to support institutionally-led regional programmes, termed ‘INSIGHT Regional Programmes’, that deliver:

  • Innovative engagement programmes to showcase and attract people into the full range of research careers, including careers that combine research and practice.
  • Research Masters Studentships to provide valuable training for individuals who may have had limited exposure to real world research during their training to date.

INSIGHT Regional Programmes will play an important part in attracting people into research at the point that they are embarking on their professional career. We particularly want to see institutions target those professions that don’t have much exposure to research during their professional training.

Scope of INSIGHT Regional Programmes

Innovative engagement programmes and Research Masters Studentships provided through INSIGHT Regional Programmes should be available to students from registered healthcare, social work and public health professions (not including doctors and dentists) at an early stage in their career. This includes undergraduate and postgraduate students or early career professionals that have recently completed their professional registration.

Individuals should be undertaking training towards or having recently registered with one of the following Regulatory Bodies:

  • Academy for Healthcare Science
  • General Chiropractic Council
  • General Dental Council
  • General Medical Council
  • General Optical Council
  • General Osteopathic Council
  • General Pharmaceutical Council
  • Health and Care Professions Council
  • Nursing and Midwifery Council
  • Social Work England
  • UK Public Health Register

With INSIGHT Regional Programmes, NIHR is looking to target students and recent graduates from a diverse group of professions. This includes nurses, midwives, allied health professionals (comprising of art/music/drama therapists; dieticians; occupational therapists; operating department practitioners; orthoptists; osteopaths; paramedics; physiotherapists; podiatrists; prosthetists and orthotists; radiographers; and speech and language therapists), pharmacists, healthcare scientists, social work and public health professionals.

INSIGHT Regional Programme Structure

INSIGHT Regional Programmes will comprise:

  1. A Lead Organisation. This should be a registered Higher Education Institution (HEI) within England
  2. Partner Organisations. These should be organisations involved in the training and/or delivery of health and care within England. This includes but is not limited to HEIs, NHS trusts, local authorities, industry and research institutes.

Regional programmes are expected to be collaborative to foster the development of partnerships between organisations and student networks at a regional level. While programmes of activities should have a focus within the region stated in the application form, Partner Organisations may be located outside of this area.

Applications are expected to comprise one Lead Organisation and at least one other Partner Organisation. The number and suitability of Partner Organisations will be taken into account by the Selection Committee when assessing applications and making funding decisions for the INSIGHT competition. Masters studentships can be offered across more than one HEI organisation within INSIGHT Regional Programmes.

Applications will include a Lead Applicant, who should be employed by the Lead Organisation with approval from their Head of Department. The Lead Applicant will be responsible for the submission of the application, as well as the delivery of the programme of activities if successful. Partner Organisations should also have a named Co-Applicant within the application form.

Innovative Engagement Programmes

INSIGHT Regional Programmes are expected to deliver innovative engagement programmes that showcase and attract students into the full range of research careers and opportunities available. Not all students may be interested in being fully immersed in a research career, but may use the opportunity to become more familiar with research and its delivery to enhance their forthcoming practice career.

Programmes of activities should engage the full range of registered healthcare, social work and public health professions (not including doctors or dentists) and aim to reach as broad an audience as possible. Activities can be delivered across the region within which the INSIGHT Regional Programme will be based.

Applications are encouraged to try and be innovative with their engagement programmes, including activities that have the potential to excite and capture the imagination of students at an early stage in their career.

Building collaborative partnerships between organisations and student networks is a key aim of the scheme, and as such collaborative activities that engage students across multiple organisations and professions are encouraged.

We also encourage INSIGHT Regional Programmes to involve their student community within the planning and delivery of engagement activities as much as possible. This could include involving students on steering groups and planning committees as well as undertaking other responsibilities associated with the delivery of engagement activities.

Example engagement activities include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. Events (including workshops, seminars and webinars) that showcase the use and benefits of research within Health and Care services as well as the full breadth of opportunities available from research delivery through to academic.
  2. Activities (e.g. resources, training opportunities and events) that promote a positive and inclusive culture within research.
  3. Targeted opportunities that engage under-represented groups in research.
  4. Networking opportunities with researchers and stakeholders involved in Health and Care research.
  5. Mentoring programmes providing insights into research and career development support.
  6. The creation of innovative resources, including the use of multimedia projects.
  7. Opportunities to gain experience of research activities within Health and Care organisations (e.g. within NHS Trusts, Local Authorities and Industry).
  8. Introductory training within relevant areas including research methods, patient and public involvement in research, research ethics, science writing or preparing grant applications.

Research Masters Studentships

Studentships will support research masters qualifications that enable individuals to gain academic training and develop the necessary skills and experience to access the full range of research careers from research delivery to academic.

Supported research masters courses (MSc, MRes or equivalent) must be offered on full-time and part-time schedules and are expected to meet the following masters specification:

  1. Deliver an appropriate level of training to equip students with the skills to manage and deliver research in a health and care setting and demonstrate the breadth of research careers available.

  2. Provide training that covers:
  • A range of research methods including study design, statistics and qualitative analysis;
  • Literature review and critical appraisal to develop your own research inquiry and get your research question right;
  • Research project management and governance;
  • Research ethics and applying for ethical approval;
  • The dissemination of research findings and writing for publication;
  • Patient and public involvement in research;
  • Embedding equality, diversity and inclusion within research;
  • The importance and benefits of industry collaborations

3. Provide opportunities for research practice experience. These could be embedded in practice-based learning modules. For example:

  • Practical modules that enable learners to take part in research in their area of interest;
  • Opportunities for involvement in existing research studies, whilst being supported under the supervision and mentorship of a senior researcher;
  • Experience working in a clinical trials unit and engagement in recruitment, informed consent, data collection and entry, etc.
  • An independent research project under supervision from a senior researcher.

In addition, students should be able to access relevant optional modules in fields including, but not limited to, sociology, economics, engineering etc. to develop their multi and inter-disciplinary training.

All constituent course modules must be credit bearing and capable of leading to a masters level qualification.

HEIs in receipt of funds through an INSIGHT Regional Programme will be responsible for advertising their own allocation of studentships, assessing applicants, making awards and arranging the payment of course fees and stipend costs. The recipients of studentships will be considered NIHR Academy Members.

Supported masters courses in the application must be promoted to, accessible to, and cover all relevant registered healthcare, social work and public health professions (not including doctors and dentists), including those from clinical and practice backgrounds. This can be fulfilled by offering places across several different courses, which may be across several HEIs.

Research Masters Studentships may be held at HEI Lead and Partner organisations within INSIGHT Regional Programmes. Regional collaborations between HEIs are encouraged to increase the masters course opportunities available through regional programmes and enrich the learning experiences of students.

Please note payments from NIHR will be made to the Lead Organisation only who will be responsible for the management of finances associated with the award.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications will need to meet the following eligibility criteria:

  • Be within the NIHR’s remit.
  • Contain a Lead Organisation that is an HEI based within England.
  • Contain at least one Partner Organisation.
  • Include engagement activities and Research Masters Studentships available to as wide a range of eligible professions as possible (outlined within the ‘Scope of INSIGHT Regional Programmes’ section of the guidance notes).
  • Contain research masters courses that meet the masters specification criteria (outlined within the ‘Research Masters Studentships’ section of the guidance notes).

Scheme Aims

The key aims that underpin the INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research scheme are to:

  • Showcase and attract students in registered healthcare, social work and public health professions (not including doctors and dentists) into the full range of research careers available from research delivery through to academic.
  • Support research masters training that equips students with the skills to lead, manage and deliver research in a health and care setting and demonstrates the breadth of research careers available.
  • Develop collaborative partnerships and student networks between organisations at a regional level.
  • Embed a positive and inclusive research culture within health and care research.

Scope of Funding

The scheme will support INSIGHT Regional Programmes located across 12 regions in England. It is anticipated that one INSIGHT Regional Programme will be supported per region, although this will depend on the recommendations of the Selection Committee who are assessing applications.

The geographical basis of INSIGHT Regional Programmes will follow the configuration of the NIHR Regional Research Delivery Networks from April 2024. A document with further information on the geographical configuration of these regions can be accessed within the the application form. This is also available on request via academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk.

INSIGHT Regional Programmes will last for three years, starting on 01 April 2024. During the three year period, applicants can apply for the following funding and support:

  • Engagement Activities and Administration Support

£40,000 per year to support engagement activities and project manager/admin support. It is expected that no more than £30,000 per year will be requested for administration support costs.

  • Research Masters Studentships

Funding towards up to 30 Whole Time Equivalent (WTE) Research Masters Studentships per year. Funding can be requested for the students’ course fees (UK fees only) and a stipend to cover living costs.

Please note this is the maximum number of studentships that costs can be requested for. The number of studentships requested should be in line with the capacity of courses that will be offered and expected demand within the region.

Institutions can use the 2023/24 UKRI minimum stipend amount for students as a guide to determine stipend rates. Please provide a full justification for the stipend rate requested. If students are coming from apprenticeships or similar, an equivalent contribution to a stipend cost can be made.

  • Accessibility Costs

Accessibility costs for engagement activities and Research Masters Studentships supported through the INSIGHT Regional Programme can be requested. The purpose of these costs is to enable activities to meet the accessibility requirements of attendees.

Please note the total amount awarded to successful applications will depend on the total funding available and decisions of the Selection Committee.

Assessment Criteria

Applications to the INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research scheme will be assessed on the following criteria:

  • INSIGHT Regional Programmes Overall:
    • The extent and appropriateness of collaborative partnerships that will be built and developed through the INSIGHT Regional Programme.
    • Clear evidence of embedding a positive and inclusive research culture throughout the programme’s activities and design, including evidence of action to promote equality, diversity, inclusion throughout the design and implementation of research activities.
    • A clear plan for delivery; including achievable and realistic objectives and success criteria.

  • Innovative Engagement Programmes:
    • The likelihood that the proposed programme of engagement activities will showcase and attract trainees in registered healthcare, social work and public health professions (not including doctors and dentists) into the full range of research careers available from research delivery through to academic.
    • The potential for proposed activities to engage as wide an audience as possible across the full range of eligible professions, with an emphasis on those who haven’t had much exposure to research during their training.

  • Research Masters Studentships:
    • The extent to which Research Masters Studentships will meet the criteria within the masters specification, and enable individuals to gain academic training and develop the necessary skills and experience to access the full range of research careers.
    • The availability of Research Masters Studentships to provide research training relevant to the range of eligible registered healthcare, social work and public health professions (not including doctors and dentists).

Contractual Arrangements and Management

Contractual Arrangements

Financial support for an INSIGHT Regional Programme is subject to a contract between the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Lead Organisation listed on the application form.

Once funding for a Programme has been discussed and agreed, NIHR will confirm the financial arrangements with the Lead Organisation. NIHR will provide the Lead Organisation with a contract setting out the details of these arrangements.

Government procurement transparency regulations require publication of details of all contracts made with the DHSC on their website. Confidential information including detailed finance information, bank details, and departmental staff names (other than the Lead Applicant’s name) will be removed from the published versions.

Annual Reporting

There will be an annual narrative report requested from INSIGHT Regional Programmes at the end of each programme year. We will also ask for an annual finance report that outlines how the funds have been spent, and some key information on all those who have received funded masters places.

For the narrative report and student data collection, templates will be provided by the NIHR. The templates will request information on:

  • Engagement activities from the previous year and plans for the year ahead. This will include information on the people and groups reached through engagement activities.
  • Details of those supported through Research Masters Studentships and the recruitment process in place. (A template sheet outlining what information we require will be shared during the contracting process).

Application Procedure and Selection Process

  • The NIHR Academy (via academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk) can advise on eligibility and remit enquiries, and answer queries applicants may have when completing the application form.
  • Applicants will be responsible for identifying and engaging relevant stakeholders and outlining the governance of the INSIGHT Regional Programme at the application stage.
  • Applicants are responsible for liaising with and obtaining the support of an INSIGHT Regional Programme Lead Organisation. Please note the INSIGHT Regional Programme Lead Organisation’ will act as the ‘Contractor’ who will administer the funding allocated.
  • All documents must be submitted in English.
  • All applications will undergo an initial screen for eligibility and compatibility with the NIHR remit. Following this, applications are reviewed by the Selection Committee in advance of a funding recommendation meeting where decisions on which applications to recommend for funding are made. The Selection Committee may comprise academic experts, public contributors and NIHR Academy Members.
  • The recommendations of the Selection Committee will be considered by the Chief Scientific Adviser and the Director for the DHSC Science, Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate.
  • Once confirmed by DHSC, the funding decisions will then be communicated to applicants. Applicants will be informed of the outcome by email when all required processes are complete.
  • The selection process and subsequent management of the INSIGHT Regional Programmes will be overseen by the NIHR.

Application Deadlines and Competition Timetable

Your application must be submitted by 1pm 7 September 2023 and any signatories must have approved your application by this time using the Academy Research Awards Management Information System (ARAMIS) online application system.

All components of your application must be submitted by the deadline. No additional supporting documents will be accepted after the deadline.

Please give yourself sufficient time to obtain your signatory’s approval before the deadline. No exceptions will be made.

See the below timetable for dates of the selection process:

Timetable

NIHR INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research competition opens: 15 June 2023

Deadline for applications: 7th September 2023, 1pm

NIHR INSIGHT Selection Committee Funding Recommendation Meeting: November 2023

Applicants informed of outcome: January 2024

INSIGHT Regional Programmes start date: 1 April 2024

INSIGHT Research Masters Studentships start: Autumn 2024

Registering, Completing and Submitting the Application

Registering

All applications must be completed and submitted via the online application system.

Before you can start an application, you will be required to register on the system. You will be asked to supply a valid email address and to complete some basic information. Once this has been submitted you will receive an email confirming your registration and a temporary password. You should follow the instructions in the email to log onto the system.

Once signed into the system, you will be able to update various details including your CV (in ‘manage my details’) and apply for any open applications. To start an application, you will need to go to ‘My Applications’ and select ‘New Application’. You should then select the scheme you wish to apply for from the list provided. After answering all the eligibility questions, you will be able to start completing the online form. Please make sure you read all available guidance text including this document as well as any online instructions thoroughly whilst you are completing the form.

Completing and submitting the form

Lead Applicant

You will need to complete all of the mandatory sections of the form and enter under the ‘Participants and Signatory’ section the names and contact details of participants and the signatory. Once all other parties have made their contribution, you will be required to ‘Submit’ the application to the signatory for final sign off before the closing date. Please note that you will need to read and be aware of the roles of participants and the signatory as described in these guidance notes.

You will only be able to press the ‘Submit’ button, which will send the application for final sign off by the signatory when:

  • all mandatory sections of the application form are complete.
  • all participants have agreed to be part of your application.
  • the signatory has agreed to their role.
  • The Head of Department has completed the ‘Host Organisation Support Statement’.

Please note; when completing the application form, you are advised to validate your application as you go. You will find a Validation Summary button in the left-hand menu. This section will detail any points within your application that are either incomplete or incorrect. Failing to validate your answers may result in you being unable to submit your application by the required deadline.

Participants

You are required to supply the names and email addresses (if not already registered on the ARAMIS application system) of the individuals who will be undertaking ‘participant’ roles as part of your application. Everyone named in this section will be acting as a ‘participant’ to your application and will need to agree to be part of this application. Participants are required to review the declaration for the role before confirming participation as part of the one-click ‘confirm’ process.

By confirming participation, participants are acknowledging their involvement and input into this application and agree to be involved in it before it is submitted. You must ensure all participants are happy for your application to be submitted before submitting it on the online system. Details of the individual who will be required to approve your application after submission (the signatory) should be entered in the ‘Participants & Signatory' section.

Required Participant (as applicable to the proposal):

Lead Organisation Administrative Authority or Finance Officer: The Administrative Authority or Finance Officer for the employing host must confirm that they will ensure the accuracy of the financial details of the application and that the host organisation is prepared to carry out the Programme of activity at the stated costs and to administer the award if made.

The participant must confirm their participation in your application before you will be able to press the submit button. They will have no further action to take in the submission process. It is recommended that you contact your participants as early as possible to ensure they understand any action they must take before you can submit the application.

Signatory

You are required to supply the name and email address (if not already registered on the ARAMIS application system) of the individual who will be ‘signing off’ your application. Once their contact details have been entered, the signatory will be invited to log into the system and confirm their participation.

The signatory will be required to agree to the role being asked of them in the application before the application is submitted by the applicant, and then approve the final version of the application after it has been submitted via the online system, i.e., the signatory must have agreed to participate and complete their sections before the applicant is able to press the submit button and send the application for signatory approval. The signatory must approve the application AFTER the applicant has selected the submit option but BEFORE the application submission deadline. Please see the 'Application Submission Process Flow Diagram’ (Annex A) for further information. The signatory approval will result in the application being submitted to the NIHR. All parties (applicant, participants and signatory) will be notified of this via an automated system generated email.

NIHR will not accept any applications unless fully approved by your signatory prior to the 1pm deadline. No exceptions will be made.

Required Signatory

Head of Department or Senior Manager: You will be required to include the Head of Department from the Lead Organisation. The Head of Department from the Lead Organisation (in which this award will be based) must confirm that they support this application and that, if funded, the programme of activity will be supported and administered in the named organisation and that the applicant for whom they are responsible will undertake this work.

Once the application is ready (see list of required steps under the ‘applicant’ heading above), you will be able to ‘Submit’ the application for final sign off by the signatory. At this point, the signatory will be prompted to log back into the system and approve the finalised application. The application will not be submitted to the NIHR for consideration until the required signatory has approved the final version. When the signatory presses the approve button, the application will be submitted to NIHR.

Please note that all of the steps described here need to take place before the deadline of 1:00 pm on 07 September 2023. No exceptions will be made.

Should you require assistance in completing the online form, please contact the NIHR at 0113 532 8430 or by emailing academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk.

Completing the Application Form Guidance

INSIGHT Scheme Introduction

This page provides an overview of the INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research scheme, including links to the scheme guidance and relevant information.

Applicant Summary Information

Programme Region

Select the region within which the INSIGHT Regional Programme will be located.

The Lead Organisation must be located within the selected programme region.

The geographical basis of INSIGHT Regional Programmes will follow the configuration of the NIHR Research Delivery Networks (RDNs) from April 2024. A document with further information on the geographical configuration of these regions can be found within the ‘INSIGHT Scheme Introduction’ section of the application form. This is also available on request via (academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk).

Lead Organisation

Please give details of the Lead Organisation who will be the contractor if the project is funded. This should be a registered Higher Education Institution (HEI) within England.

Please note that we expect the Lead Applicant’s proposed host organisation (substantive employer) to act as the contractor.

Please also bear in mind that:

  • The contractor is expected to respond to annual financial reconciliation exercises, provide the final financial reconciliation statement for the programme and to provide ad hoc requests for financial information during the lifetime of the programme.
  • In the same way, the contractor is expected to respond to any queries relating to Intellectual Property, commercialisation and benefit realisation.

If the name of your Lead Organisation does not appear in the pre-populated list, please email academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk.

Partner Organisations

Please give details of Partner Organisations who will be supporting this application. Please confirm you have agreement with all the Partner Organisations before adding to the application form.

These should be organisations involved in the training and/or delivery of health and care within England. This includes but is not limited to HEIs, NHS Trusts, local authorities, industry and research institutes.

Partner Organisations should have a named Co-Applicant within the application form.

Co-Applicant Details

Please list the name, organisation, position, email and ORCiD ID of any Co-Applicants that have helped to write the application and would be involved in the delivery of the INSIGHT Regional Programme.

Please confirm you have agreement with all the Co-Applicants before adding them to the application form.

Start date if grant awarded

Please select a start date of 01 April 2024. All INSIGHT Regional Programmes will be required to start on this date.

Grant Duration (Months)

Please select the duration of the INSIGHT Regional Programme in months. INSIGHT Regional Programmes will be provided funding for 3 years (36 months). If costs are requested for part-time Research Masters Studentships lasting 2 years, costs for these will also be paid in year 4. In this case please select 48 months.

Please be aware that the duration selected will impact the number of years available within the Detailed Budget Breakdown section of the application form in which costs can be provided.

INSIGHT Regional Programme Team - 500 Word Limit

Please outline:

  • The relative roles and responsibilities of the Lead and Co-Applicants within the INSIGHT Regional Programme.
  • The relevant experience and expertise of team members.
  • Governance structures that will be in place to oversee the delivery of the INSIGHT Regional Programme.
  • Student involvement within the management and delivery of the programme to ensure it meets the needs of the local student community.

Host Organisation Support Statement – 1000 word limit

The statement is completed by the Head of Department and should detail how the organisation is going to support the INSIGHT Regional Programme to successfully complete the application’s aims and objectives.

This statement should be tailored specifically to the application, including the engagement activities and Research Masters Studentships that will be delivered through the INSIGHT Regional Programme.

The statement should detail why the Host Organisation is well placed to lead the programme of activities outlined in the application, including its background in these areas, and any support that will be provided.

Host Organisations are expected to comply with the relevant Principles and Obligations for clinical academic training and it is recommended Host Organisations read the NIHR guidance for nurses, midwives, AHPs and other health and care professionals before completing the statement of support.

NIHR expects that all commitments made within this statement will be honoured for the lifetime of the award.

INSIGHT Regional Programme

Proposal Summary – 500 Word Limit

Please provide a clear explanation of your proposal, providing an overview of the engagement activities and Research Masters Studentships that will be offered through the INSIGHT Regional Programme. Please outline how these activities will meet the aims of the scheme.

This summary should be written in plain English and aimed at members of the public, rather than researchers or professionals. It should be written clearly and simply, without jargon and with an explanation of any technical terms that have to be included.

Collaborative Activities and Partnerships – 300 Word Limit

Please describe how the INSIGHT Regional Programme and proposed activities will foster collaborative partnerships between organisations and student networks within the region.

Monitoring and Evaluation Strategy – 300 Word Limit

Please detail how the reach and impact of engagement activities and Research Masters Studentships will be monitored and evaluated to ensure these meet their aims and objectives.

Research Inclusion – 300 Word Limit

Please outline how you plan to embed a positive and inclusive research culture throughout the programme's activities and design.

Engagement Activities

Detailed Proposal - 800 word limit

Please outline the aims and objectives of the engagement programme and how activities will be delivered. Please detail any activities that will be developed and delivered during the engagement programme. This should include:

  1. Aims and objectives for the 3 year period of support, including key milestones and outputs.
  2. Activities you propose to develop, including any background to these, their novelty, expected impact and how they will meet the needs of the community.
  3. The number of students and breadth of professions you expect to reach through engagement activities.
  4. An estimated timeline for the delivery of the engagement programme.

Research Masters Studentships

Name of Higher Education Institute applying for studentships

Please provide the name of the Lead Organisation where Research Masters Studentships will be based. This must be an HEI based within England.

Please note payments from NIHR will be made to the Lead Organisation only who will be responsible for the management of finances associated with the award.

Name of any partner Higher Education Institutes applying for studentships

Please provide the name(s) of any HEI partner institutions where Research Masters Studentships will also be based.

All Research Masters Studentships requested should be offered within the programme region stated in the application.

Overall number of full-time studentships requested per year

Please state the total number of full-time studentships requested per year. Costs for up to 30 WTE studentships (full or part-time) per year can be requested during the 3 year award.

Full-time Research Masters Studentships are considered 1 WTE and are expected to last for one year.

If full-time Research Masters Studentships will be based at more than one institution, please provide the total per year across all institutions.

Overall number of part-time studentships requested per year

Please state the total number of part-time studentships requested per year. Costs for up to 30 WTE studentships (full or part-time) per year can be requested during the 3 year award.

Part-time Research Masters Studentships should be held at 0.5WTE and are expected to last for two years.

If part-time Research Masters Studentships will be based at more than one institution, please provide the total per year across all institutions.

Title of the course(s) that will offer studentships - 200 word limit

Please state the course name(s) that will offer Research Masters Studentships. Please include the degree (MSc, MRes or equivalent) and organisation within this.

If more than one course will offer Research Masters Studentships, please outline the expected number of full and part-time studentships that will be offered for each course per year.

Content of the course(s) that will offer studentships - 1500 word limit

Please outline the content and training provided through the Masters’ course(s). For each course, please outline how these meet the masters specification within the application guidance.

Student recruitment strategy - 500 word limit

Please detail the planned recruitment strategy for funded studentships.

Recruitment strategies should enable applications from the full breadth of professions supported by the INSIGHT Regional Programme.

Progression of graduates along research career pathways - 500 word limit

Please outline how the course will enable students to develop relevant skills and experience required to pursue the full range of research careers from research delivery to academic.

Detailed Budget Breakdown

The finance section should provide a breakdown of costs associated with undertaking the activities described in the proposal.

GENERAL INFORMATION

  • The information entered in this section should provide an analysis of the total funds requested to undertake the activities proposed and should be based on current prices. These costs will be used to assess value for money.
  • It is in the best interest to undertake a thorough, realistic and accurate costing. You must provide a clear and full justification for all costs. You must also ensure that you include all costs including those required to secure good research management.
  • Costs must be provided at current prices. An adjustment for inflation will be made annually thereafter at rates set by DHSC.
  • Years should be calculated starting from the anticipated start date of the proposed INSIGHT Regional Programme on 01 April 2024.
  • Further itemisation of costs and methods of calculation may be requested to support the application at a later date.
  • Payments will be made to the contracted organisation only and the contracted organisation will be responsible for passing on any money due to their partner organisation(s).
  • Appropriate sub-contracts must be put in place for any element of the INSIGHT Regional Programme which is to be paid to another organisation.
  • All applications are expected to have appropriate HEI, NHS, social care, commercial and other Partner Organisations input into the finance section of the application form.
  • The applicant(s) should consult their Finance Departments for the appropriate figures to include in the application form.
  • There is no need to individually itemise costs where the total is below £1,000.
  • Full Economic Costings (FEC) are not covered by this award.

INSIGHT REGIONAL PROGRAMME RUNNING COSTS

These are costs that are specific to the INSIGHT Regional Programme, which will be charged as the amount actually spent and can be supported by an audit record.

Please note the total amount awarded to successful applications will depend on the total funding available and decisions of the Selection Committee.

Requested running costs should comprise the following Items:

Engagement Activity Costs

Please provide the total costs requested per year for engagement activities proposed during the INSIGHT Regional Programme. Please provide a clear breakdown and justification of costs. These should consider all activities outlined within the ‘Engagement Activities’ section of the form.

Up to £40,000 per year can be requested for engagement activities and administration/project management costs during the INSIGHT Regional Programme.

Please note engagement activity costs should only be requested for years one to three only. No costs should be requested in year four.

Administration/Project Management Costs

Please provide total costs for the contribution towards some or all of a project manager/admin support post.

Up to £40,000 per year can be requested for engagement activities and administration/project management costs during the INSIGHT Regional Programme.

The contribution towards administration/project management costs should not exceed £30,000 within any given year of the INSIGHT Regional Programme.

Please note Administration/Project Management activity costs should only be requested for year four if continuing to support part-time Research Masters Studentships within this year. The amount requested in year four should be fully justified and reflect the expected administration costs associated with any part-time Research Masters Studentships that will continue to be active in year four.

Research Masters Studentships

This section specifies the annual costs of requested Research Masters Studentships. Full-time Research Masters Studentships should last one year, and two years for part-time studentships.

Please outline separately total requested costs for:

  1. Course Fees. Please provide total costs of the course fees (UK fees only) requested for each year of the INSIGHT Regional Programme. Please provide separate total costs for requested full and part-time Research Masters Studentships. Please provide a full justification of costs, including the fee level for individual full and part-time studentships.

  1. Student Stipend. Please provide total costs of the living stipends requested for each year of the INSIGHT Regional Programme. Please provide separate total costs for requested full and part-time Research Masters Studentships. Please provide a full justification of costs, including the stipends requested for individual full and part-time studentships. Institutions can use the 2023/24 UKRI minimum stipend amount for students as a guide to determine stipend rates.

Please ensure the total number of full and part-time studentships per year for which costs have been requested matches the number provided within the ‘Research Masters Studentships’ section of the form.

Please only include costs in year four for the second year of part-time studentships that will have started in year three. No other studentship costs can be requested within year four.

Accessibility Costs

Accessibility costs for engagement activities and Research Masters Studentships supported through the INSIGHT Regional Programme. The purpose of these is to enable inclusive activities that meet the accessibility requirements of attendees.

This could include additional accessibility costs associated with a proposed event, or for accommodating reasonable adjustments for activities undertaken through a Research Masters Studentship. Costs can be indicative based on anticipated access requirements. A justification should be provided for costs requested.

Accessibility costs should only be included in year four if required for part-time Research Masters Studentships that will be ongoing within this year.

SUMMARY OF COSTS

NIHR will provide funding for INSIGHT Regional Programmes in England at 100%.

Please note that whilst these percentages will be used to calculate the maximum grant payable, the programme reserves the right to award a grant for less than this maximum where it is considered appropriate.

Uploads

To support your application, you are able to upload the following documents in the ‘uploads’ section of the form:

  • References: 1 A4 page listing any references cited in the application.
  • Figures/table: 1 A4 page of figures/tables to supplement the application.
  • INSIGHT Regional Programme timetable: 1 A4 page detailing specific milestones and deliverables.

Participants and Signatory

A participant and a signatory are required to be added to your application and, where applicable, to complete sections of it.

Details of the required individuals are provided on the online application form along with details of how they should be added. The flow diagram in Annex A goes through the actions required of the participant, signatory and the applicant.

Acknowledge, review and submit

Conflict checks - 300 word limit

Please declare any conflicts or potential conflicts of interest that you or your Co-Applicants may have in undertaking this award, including any relevant, non-personal and commercial interest that could be perceived as a conflict of interest.

Agreement to terms and conditions

Please click the check box to confirm you agree to the Terms and Conditions of submission as detailed on the application form.

Validation Summary

Please follow the next steps in the Validation Summary in order to complete your application submission process.

Additional Supporting Information

NIHR Privacy Policy

Our purpose for collecting information is to communicate with you about your application and have the necessary information to evaluate you for a grant. The data we collect here is collected in the public interest. Information provided here may be subject to Freedom of Information requests.

The NIHR Academy is part of the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC), National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The contracting agent for the NIHR Academy is Leeds Teaching Hospital Trust (LTHT). The DHSC is the Data Controller and LTHT is the Data Processor under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) EC 2016/679. DHSC and NIHR respect the privacy of individuals who share their data and process it in a manner that meets the requirements of GDPR. The DHSC Data Protection Officer can be contacted by email at data_protection@dhsc.gov.uk

The NIHR privacy policy includes further information including ways we may use your data, our contact details and details on your individual rights regarding how your data is used. Your data may be shared across the NIHR, including with other coordinating centres, to allow the application to be managed and for statistical analysis, and with external grant reviewers as part of the process for managing the allocation of a grant. Information collected from you will not be shared outside the EEA without your consent.

This notice is under constant review and will be updated and / or revised based on that review as appropriate.

Equal Opportunities and Diversity Monitoring Information

NIHR is committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in research and asks applicants to provide Equality and Diversity Monitoring Information. 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.

The NIHR is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive culture, as outlined in our EDI strategy 2022-2027. We want everyone to realise their full potential and make a positive contribution. We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and communities. We are committed to having leadership and teams that are made up of diverse skills and experiences. To find out more, visit our equality, diversity and inclusion page.

We will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers in the application process. If you have any access needs or require any support throughout the application process, please contact us (Phone: 0113 532 8430, Email: academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk). If appointed, we will also work with you to identify adjustments to carry out the role.

Public Involvement

The NIHR expects the active involvement of patients/service users, carers and the public in the research and activities it supports. NIHR recognises that the nature and extent of active involvement is likely to vary depending on context. The term involvement refers to an active partnership between patients/service users, carers and members of the public and researchers in the research process.

Further information and resources can be found on this section of the NIHR website. This includes a detailed definition of public involvement in research, briefing notes for researchers on how to involve the public and payment guidance. The NIHR Research Design Service provide advice on developing research applications including on public involvement and the James Lind Alliance has a step-by-step guide on involvement in research identification and priority setting.

Plagiarism in NIHR funding applications

NIHR expects all content within applications for funding to be original material of the applicant's own work, with the exception of sections that other participants are required to complete. Whilst we anticipate and expect that applicants will get help and advice from various sources when putting together an application, including on occasion input from those previously awarded funding, care must be taken to ensure this does not lead to plagiarism of either published work or other previous applications. If an allegation of plagiarism is raised against an application this will be investigated in accordance with the NIHR’s policy on plagiarism, a copy of which is available on request from academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk.

Existing data resources

The UK Data Service (https://ukdataservice.ac.uk) provides a unified point of access to an extensive range of high quality social and economic data, including UK census data, government funded surveys, longitudinal studies, international macro-data, qualitative data and business micro-data.

Transparency Agenda

In line with the government’s transparency agenda, any contract resulting from this tender
may be published in its entirety to the general public. Further information on the
transparency agenda is at:

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/procurement-and-contracting-transparency-requirements-guidance

Freedom of Information Act

The NIHR manages the NIHR INSIGHT: Inspiring Students into Research Competition (2023) on behalf of the DHSC. As such the findings of researchers funded by the programme are incorporated in to the Department of Health and Social Care Freedom of Information Publication Scheme

Guidance and Advice

Please read these Guidance Notes carefully. If you require any further information, advice or guidance please contact the NIHR Infrastructure and Capacity Building Structures Team:

Phone: 0113 532 8430 Email: academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk

Annex A: Application Submission Process Flow Diagram

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