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Research and Innovation for Global Health Transformation - Call 4 Frequently Asked Questions

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Published: 06 November 2020

Version: 1.0 - November 2020

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This document provides answers to frequently asked questions for call 4 of the NIHR Research and Innovation for Global Health Transformation (RIGHT) funding programme.

Scope/remit

Can you clarify what is expected in terms of the project delivering patient benefit?

Applications to RIGHT must demonstrate a trajectory to patient benefit in low and middle income countries (LMICs). In all applications to RIGHT, it is expected that the research will seek to demonstrate realisable and quantifiable benefits to people living in LMICs and that the route to those benefits is clearly set out in the application.

Is social care research in scope of RIGHT calls?

Applied health and social care research is eligible for RIGHT funding.

Would epidemiological studies be considered?

Yes, provided it is part of a larger programme of work. An application consisting solely of epidemiological studies would be out of scope.

Would you please clarify what you mean by unintentional injuries? What injuries are considered unintentional?

Unintentional injuries are unplanned, not caused on purpose and not caused with intent to harm, the harmful outcome was not sought, or the outcome was the result of one of the forms of physical energy in the environment or normal body functions being blocked by external mean. This may include, but is not limited to drowning, road traffic accidents, falls, fires and burns, poisonings (e.g. as a result of snakebite; ingestion of harmful products in children) and aspirations.

Is sudden cardiac death or stroke in scope?

Non-communicable diseases such as sudden cardiac death or stroke are not in scope.

Are fractures considered as unintentional injuries?

Yes, if the fracture was as a result of unintentional injuries, such as a road traffic accident or fall. Fractures caused by intentional injuries, such as interpersonal violence or self-harm would not be in scope.

You state that research on infectious diseases as a result of animal/vector bites are not in scope. Can you confirm that research focused on the prevention of dog bites, where the aim of the research is to avoid/manage the trauma associated with bites would still be within scope? (ie rabies would not be the purpose of the research)

Evaluation of interventions to prevent or improve outcomes from unintentional injuries is eligible, therefore implementation research to assess effectiveness of intervention strategies in LMIC settings to prevent dog bites would be eligible. Furthermore, context-specific research on integrated preventative strategies and their evaluation with the potential to influence policy process is eligible.

Would illness from an infection following an unintentional injury such as fall be within the scope of this call?

Prevention and management of unintentional injuries would be in scope, however research into the illness due to a bacterial infection as a result of fall would not be in scope.

One of the RIGHT Call 4 priorities is emergency care system strengthening in LMICs. Would you please clarify whether strengthening emergency care systems that will have impact on the outcomes of infectious diseases be in scope or should the research solely focus on unintentional injury outcomes?

RIGHT Call 4 supports development and evaluation of interventions to improve immediate post-accident treatment at the scene and implementation research to improve the response to and delivery of urgent and emergency care as a result of unintentional injuries in low resource settings. The urgent and emergency care response has to be primarily related to unintentional injuries or accidents at the scene or immediately afterwards. There may be secondary or wider health benefits as a result of this research, but the research should be primarily and directly related to response to unintentional injuries.

Would research into acute in-patient care of patients with injuries and emergency conditions be in scope? By in-patient care I mean, the care on hospital wards and the care of injured and emergency patients who have become critically ill (e.g. provision of oxygen, IV fluids, managing patients with reduced conscious level etc).

Applications that focus on the urgent and emergency care element of this call should focus on the immediate response to unintentional injuries at the scene or immediately afterward. Research into intensive care is out of scope.

Would the proposal on the development of a medical device or technology that has not been fully explored but has great potential for alleviating a particular critical condition be in scope?

Development of a new medical device that is required by LMIC and will be used in the LMIC setting and/or the broad assessment of its reliability and validity in that setting would be eligible. The technology and/or instrument should already be relatively well-developed and there should be a clear pathway to LMIC community and patient benefit.

The call guidance states that applications solely comprising a single Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) will not be funded, please can you clarify?

Where an RCT is proposed we expect this to be part of a wider package of work (i.e. not the sole activity). We do not require multiple RCTs in an application. An application consisting of varied work packages including a trial would be in scope / eligible.

Is prospective collection and analysis of patient samples within scope?

Yes, as a wider programme of work, however as per the call guidance the call will not support the establishment and maintenance of new biobanks.

I would like to include the development of an information resource for patients and/or LMIC communities, (e.g. leaflet, video, website, etc.) as part of my research proposal. Is this supported?

NIHR views the provision of high quality, accessible information to LMIC communities and patients as conferring benefit, as such information can empower the community and patients to better manage their conditions and make informed choices about their treatment options and/or their participation in the research.

However, the applicant must demonstrate that the relevant information is not already available to the community via another medium, and must make sure that their information resource format is appropriate to the LMIC context. Therefore, a RIGHT application that proposes an information resource output will need to include details of any existing information available, and a justification of the need for a new resource including details on the target audience and impact of the format of the proposed resource.

Is it allowed to have multiple study designs within the same proposal?

Yes, this is allowed. Your research design should enable you to address the research questions and meet the objectives of an overall related programme of work.

Eligibility

Do applications to RIGHT have to fulfil Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligibility?

As per the Guidance for Applicants, all applications to RIGHT calls must fulfil ODA eligibility. In order to be eligible to receive ODA funding, applications must demonstrate how they meet ODA compliance criteria.

Are all countries on the DAC-list, including Upper Middle Income Countries within remit?

Yes, all countries on the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list are eligible for ODA funding. of ODA-eligible countries are appropriate targets for the RIGHT Call. All applications should provide clear details of how the research will directly and primarily benefit people in ODA-eligible countries.

For applications with joint leads, which institution takes on the funding and contracting responsibilities? Can this be shared by the two organisations?

These responsibilities cannot be shared. Only one lead organisation (‘Contracting Organisation’) may and will sign a contract with DHSC and receive and administer funds. The lead organisation is the organisation where the contracting lead applicant (either an LMIC or a UK joint Lead Applicant) is employed.

Will co-applicants from other HEI/Research Institutes, different from the lead, need to sign their own contract with DHSC?

Contracting and funding must take place via the Contracting Organisation (i.e. the organisation where the lead contracting applicant is employed). The lead administering institution ('Contracting Organisation') should establish collaboration agreements or sub-contracts with all their partners.

Can an application be led solely by an applicant from an LMIC HEI or research institute without any collaborators from the UK?

Yes, the sole lead applicant can be from an LMIC without a UK Joint Lead Applicant, UK co-applicants or UK collaborators, providing that the LMIC Lead Applicant fulfils the eligibility criteria of a lead applicant given in the RIGHT Call 4 Stage 1 guidance for Applicants.

Can the two lead applicants be from the same HEI/Research Institute?

There can be a maximum of two joint lead applicants, contracting lead applicant and non-contracting lead applicant. If the contracting lead applicant is from a UK HEI or Research Institute then there MUST be a non-contracting joint lead from an LMIC HEI or Research Institute. Therefore, there cannot be two joint lead applicants from a UK organisation.

However, if the contracting lead applicant is from an LMIC HEI or Research Institute then there is no mandatory requirement for a joint non-contracting lead applicant. If a non-contracting joint lead applicant is included in the application, this person can be from the same or different LMIC or a UK HEI/Research Institute. Therefore, there can be two joint lead applicants from an LMIC organisation.

Can the lead applicant from an LMIC organisation collaborate with more than one joint lead applicant from the UK to accommodate the need for multiple expertise?

An application to the RIGHT Call 4 can have up to 2 (Joint) Lead Applicants (at least one must be based in an LMIC) and up to 15 co-applicants. Therefore, it is not permissible for an LMIC Lead Applicant to have 2 UK Joint Lead Applicants involved in the application. Any further expertise required (in addition to the two Joint Lead Applicants) can join the application as either a Co-applicant or a Collaborator.”

Can I be a Joint Lead Applicant on more than one RIGHT Call 4 applications?

An individual cannot be named as Lead /Joint Lead Applicant on more than one RIGHT Call 4 application. This applies to both UK and LMIC (Joint) Lead Applicants.

Can I be a Joint Lead Applicant on one RIGHT Call 4 application and a co-applicant on a second RIGHT Call 4 application?

Yes, this is allowed.

Can I submit applications to more than one Global Health Research programme call?

Whilst there are similarities in some of the core aims for the NIHR Global Health Research funding calls (high quality programmes of research, responsive to LMIC-led needs, embedded plans for capacity and capability-strengthening), there are also fundamental differences. When considering where to apply, applicants need to take into account the specific remit of each funding call and decide which opportunity to apply for, according to their own aims and goals.

NIHR will not accept the same or substantially similar applications across multiple NIHR Global Health Research calls.

NIHR will accept applications from the same or similar teams across more than one NIHR Global Health Research call where the aims and research proposals are substantially different. If a team is submitting applications to more than one call, each application should be clearly distinct. Although proposals may be complementary, the successful delivery of one proposal must not depend on the other. Where multiple applications across calls are submitted, any applications proposing similar research themes and geographies will be carefully scrutinised to ensure there is no overlap.

Other points for applicants to note:

NIHR strongly encourages diversifying leadership models, but will accept applications where there is a strong rationale for the same leadership team, and where there is clarity the Joint Leads will have capacity to successfully run two large scale programmes of research concurrently. Contracts will be awarded and managed separately and independently of each other.

This guidance applies to existing NIHR award holders and new applicants.

NIHR reserves the right to reject an application if it is deemed too similar to another received in another NIHR Global Health Research call.
NIHR Global Research Professorship award holders are eligible to be part of applications to multiple calls, provided there is no duplication of requests for costs.

Can a Higher Education Institution (HEI) submit multiple applications to RIGHT Calls?

Yes. There is no limit to the number of applications that a HEI can submit to the call, provided that each application is clearly distinct.

For RIGHT Call 4, should the lead applicants be the individuals who will lead the project in terms of content and delivery, with the most experienced/those with the strongest track record in the team acting as co-applicants? Or vice versa? i.e. who would be expected to be the lead and who the co-applicants? This question is with regard to both UK and LMIC applicants.

The (Joint) Lead Applicants should be those who are responsible for delivery of the research. Where the contracting organisation is a UK institution with a UK Joint Lead Applicant, equitable joint leadership/partnership with an LMIC Joint Lead Applicant is required. We would expect the overall research team to have the necessary skills and experience to deliver the research. Please refer to the RIGHT Call 4 Stage 1 Guidance for Applicants for definitions and requirements for Joint Lead Applicants, Co-applicants and Collaborators.

Some co-applicants, who are very competent clinicians, have very limited research experience but keen to develop research skills. What are NIHR views of such co-applicants? Is it something desirable or should they be collaborators?

It is expected the overall research team will have the necessary skills and experience to deliver the proposed research and the Funding Committee will assess the strength of the research team. Co-applicants form your research team and are expected to have specific roles and equitable contributions to your project. You will need to describe in the application that they are the best fit for the role.

Can I apply for RIGHT Call 4 funding if I am a veterinarian?

Eligible researchers with relevant demonstrable track record can apply to this call. Please refer to the RIGHT Call 4 Stage 1 Guidance for Applicants for organisation eligibility and scope of the call. It should be noted that the RIGHT programme funds applied global health research.

What level of seniority should the (Joint) Lead Applicant be?

For RIGHT Call 4, Lead / Joint Lead Applicants must have sufficient standing within their organisations and have demonstrable ability to lead and manage a large-scale programme of global health research. However, if a Lead / Joint Lead Applicant has less experience, then details of what mentorship and support is in place for more senior colleagues should be given. The application should clearly demonstrate that the research team has the necessary expertise, relevant experience and demonstrable track record to successfully deliver the proposed programme of work. The Funding Committee will assess strength of the research team.

Is it a requirement of the Lead Applicants to have a PhD?

It is not a requirement for a Lead Applicant to have a PhD. The lead Applicants should have a demonstrable track record to lead and manage a substantial large-scale programme of global health research.

Do you have to be in full time employment at a LMIC HEI/RI to be eligible as a lead applicant/co-applicant? Are part time employees eligible?

Part-time employees of an eligible institute are eligible to apply to this call as lead applicant/co-applicant, providing that you meet the eligibility criteria outlined in the RIGHT call 4 Stage 1 Guidance for Applicants.

Can researchers from LMIC NGOs lead a RIGHT application?

The Lead Applicant should be employed by a Higher Education Institution or Research Institute. The definition for LMIC Research Institute as given in the Call Guidance is: ‘LMIC Research Institute is considered to be a not-for-profit research organisation with a proven track record in, and sufficient research and financial capacity to manage and deliver research and training, in the field or discipline in which it is applying for funding.’ If the organisation fulfils this criteria for LMIC Research Institute then the NGO can lead a RIGHT application.

Can a researcher from a non-UK, High Income Country (e.g Australian, Canada, USA) be a Joint Lead Applicant?

No, researchers from non-UK, high income countries (HICs) cannot be a Joint Lead Applicant. These researchers may be included as co-applicants or collaborators, however a strong and full justification should be provided for their inclusion.

I would like to find out whether there is any advice about Clinical Trial Unit (CTU) involvement in trials for RIGHT Call 4. I know this is strongly encouraged for NIHR calls in the UK but envisage this may be logistically difficult in countries outside the UK – do you have any specific advice on this issue?

The CTU involvement in trials is not a requirement for the RIGHT Call 4. However, the applicants should ensure that his/her team have all the required expertise with a demonstrable track record to successfully deliver the research programme.

Funding

How much money is available to applicants in RIGHT Call 4?

Applicants intending to apply for RIGHT Call 4 call are able to request funding of up to £5 million providing full justification of costs. Awards typically range between £1-5 million for a period of up to 5 years.

Is it possible to have a budget less than £1 million?

Overall awards up to £5 million, typical range £1-5 million over 3-5 years. We do not stipulate the minimum budget, therefore it is possible to have a budget less than £1 million.

How many awards are to be funded through this call?

All NIHR Global Health Research funding is awarded on a competitive basis and based on quality and resource availability. The number of successful applications is not predetermined.

Line of sight to implementation is key, but costs for attempting to influence legislative and regulatory action are excluded. Can you clarify please? Surely one of the key routes to implementation/impact could be through influencing policy/regulation?

We would expect to see researchers working collaboratively with local communities and policy officials within the context of the project to ensure scale up and implementation. Costs for direct lobbying are not permitted.

We are in the early stages of starting a project with colleagues in LMIC. Are there any mechanisms in RIGHT Call 4 or elsewhere in the programme for helping to develop full projects?

Embedded in the RIGHT Call, is Proposal and Partnership Development Award (PPDA), which provides up to £10,000 to support the development of partnerships between study partners and a Stage 2 full application. If interested in accessing this fund you must apply for the PPDA at the same time as submitting your Stage 1 application.
Please note PPDA funding is directly associated with your RIGHT 4 application and is not available in isolation. Please refer to the PPDA Guidance for applicants for details on the PPDA application process. For other NIHR Global Health funding opportunities, please refer to the NIHR Global Health Funding Opportunities website.

Would the call consider providing part funding for studies?

RIGHT will not fund projects jointly with other funders. An application to RIGHT must be for a self-contained study with a clearly defined end-point.

Is there any expectation of match funding/in-kind support from UK HEIs?

Match funding is not required.

Is the cost of project managers / supervisors which will be involved in project management and project monitoring and evaluation an eligible cost?

These costs are eligible. NIHR supports inclusion of these costs to ensure successful project delivery.

I am planning on conducting a study / delivering an intervention in an LMIC healthcare setting. Can you explain how to categorise the costs?

If you are conducting research that requires an intervention to be delivered in the LMIC you are permitted to claim for External Intervention Costs (EIC). These are the costs that are additional to routine clinical treatment in the local setting. For comparison, in the UK these would be similar to NHS support or excess treatment costs.

Will external intervention costs cover the cost of trial management in an LMIC and the cost of additional intervention that we will be using in the trial in an LMIC?

If the proposed research requires an intervention to be delivered in the LMIC you are permitted to claim for External Intervention Costs (EIC) that are in excess of standard care provided in that local setting. For comparison, these would be interventions classified as NHS support or excess treatment activities in the UK and the costs would not be funded through the research award if the research was taking place in the UK. Generally, the trial management cost is considered research cost. For example, the cost of trial management activities that would be undertaken by a Clinical Trial Unit (CTU) if the trial was taking place in the UK would be research cost. However, if the cost is to identify suitable patients and consent them it would be an external intervention cost. The cost of a treatment that is not routine in the LMIC setting you are working in would also be considered an external intervention cost. All these costs would be eligible.

Can you clarify eligible costs for PhD students for RIGHT?

LMIC-based PhD studentships are strongly encouraged as part of RIGHT applications. NIHR will fund full PhD costs (tuition fees and stipends) for LMIC students based in LMICs.

NIHR will also fund PhD student fees and stipends for LMIC students based in LMICs but registered at an institution in a High Income Country (HIC). In cases where the application includes LMIC PhD student’s fees at a HIC it is expected that relevant (Joint) Lead Applicants will negotiate with the HIC institution for reduced fees for the LMIC candidate.

English language training in the context of PhD registration is an eligible cost, provided clear justification and a strong value for money argument are given
Please note: HIC PhD fees are eligible only for LMIC students. PhD fees for a HIC student registered at an HIC institution would not be eligible, regardless of the programme of study.

Please refer to the RIGHT Financial Guidance for Applicants for further details including the indicative rates for stipends for budgeting purpose.

Can I include an overhead for the entire project cost or only for the salaries? What institutional rate of indirect cost is allowed?

UK HEIs may request indirect costs and estates that form part of Full Economic Costing (FEC). These are calculated on the number of full-time equivalent researchers/staff working on the programme. 80% of these costs will be funded. UK HEI indirect costs cannot be claimed on shared or support staff costs.

For ODA-eligible LMIC institutions, indirect costs can be claimed and should be charged in proportion to the total amount of staff effort (research and support staff) requested on the application for funding. We do not specify the rate of indirect costs that LMIC organisations can claim.

Indirect costs for collaborating institutions based in non-UK HIC are not supported. All indirect costs requested as part of application must be fully justified as to why these costs are being requested and how they will contribute to the delivery of the objectives of the programme.

Please refer to the RIGHT Call 4 Finance Guidance for full detail.

The Finance guidance states that, in Stage 2 application, we need to confirm the exchange rate used, as well as date and the source of the exchange rate. Is there a preferred methodology on choosing the date or source, and also what exchange rate protection might be in place in case of losses/gains.

Please refer to the Financial Guidance for NIHR Global Health Research Programme Contract Holders - Exchange Rates.

There are a number of items of equipment which will be used in our LMIC study sites but which are either locally unavailable or which may be more economical to buy in the UK and ship to study sites. Are we able to claim 100% FEC on these items?

As the primary purpose of the equipment is to be used at the LMIC organisation, this would be acceptable. You are required to explain these actions in the justification of resources section of your Stage 2 application. Please ensure the cost is added to the LMIC budget on the finance form.

Is there a recommended proportion of budget that should be allocated to the UK and LMIC?

There are no set guidelines as to the percentage breakdown of funding between collaborating organisations. However, the proposed research must be ODA-eligible (directly and primarily of benefit to the LMIC) and all costs must be fully justified and reflect the principles of equitable partnerships. The NIHR and the Funding Committee will carefully review the proposal costing to ensure it meets the need of the research programme and remit of the Call.

Can you give me an example of cost with risk management and assurance?

Examples of risk management and assurance costs may include Good Financial Grants Practice (GFGP) audits and accreditation costs; costs for project specific audits conducted in LMICs. Please refer to the RIGHT Call 4 Finance Guidance and the NIHR Global Health Core Guidance for further details.

What is the FCRA and how will this impact funding for research projects in India?

The Indian government has recently updated the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) which relates to payments to organisations in India. These organisations should follow the latest Indian government guidelines to confirm whether they require a FCRA license and that they have the appropriate measures in place to receive funding.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that any organisations in India involved in the research proposal, whether as Lead Applicants, Joint Lead Applicants, Co-Applicants or Collaborators, are fully compliant with the requirements of the FCRA. They should also ensure that the FCRA license is valid until beyond the end of the proposed contract period.

Your proposal

Is it possible to update the Intent to Submit form following submission?

Once you have submitted the Intent to Submit form you will not be able to edit the form. However, you are able to add additional co-applicants and expand on the research details in your Stage 1 application. You cannot change the (Joint) Lead Applicant(s). If the Stage 1 application will be significantly different from the Intent to Submit form then please contact the Global Health RIGHT programme team at NIHR (ccf-globalhealth@nihr.ac.uk).

Where can I get a copy of the Stage 1 application form?

A word template of the Stage 1 application form is available for download on the website and also from the Application form Guidance for Applicants for reference only. You are required to submit a RIGHT application via RMS.

How many LMIC partners are expected?

As many as required to deliver the programme of work, but at minimum one LMIC partner (LMIC (Joint) Lead Applicant) is required. Please consider in your application the non-research resources required to manage multiple LMIC partners (e.g. Financial management, due diligence, programme management etc.)

Can an application to RIGHT Call 4 involve research in multiple LMICs?

Yes, multiple LMICs can be involved in your application. Please bear in mind, however, the potential complexity of involving too many different countries. You will need to have appropriate project management plans and governance arrangements which should represent international best practice in place. Please refer to the NIHR Global Health Research Programmes Core Guidance for further details on programme management and governance.

Do you recommend having more than one partner country?

There is no recommendation on the number of ODA-eligible countries that should be included in the proposal. The number should be as required to deliver the programme of work. However, the number of partners also needs to be manageable. Please consider in your application the non-research resources required to manage multiple partners.

What is the ideal size for a network? Number of partners?

The size of the network and number of partners is dependent on the number of individuals you consider is required to carry out the research, but should also be manageable, particularly if there are a number of new partners.

Is there a required minimum number of UK HEI or LMIC partners?

There is no minimum number of UK partners to be included in your proposal. As stated in the RIGHT Call 4 Guidance for Applicants, applications MUST be led by either:

  • A Principal Investigator (Lead Applicant) employed by an LMIC Higher Education Institution (HEI) or Research Institute.

Or

  • A Principal Investigator employed by a UK HEI or Research Institute (UK Joint Lead Applicant) to jointly lead with a Principal Investigator employed by an LMIC HEI or Research Institute (LMIC Joint Lead Applicant)

The research team should have all the required expertise to successfully deliver the proposed research.

Are sub-contractors allowed?

Yes, this is allowed. Each partner (Joint Lead and Co-applicants) are allowed to have sub-contractors. Please refer to the NIHR Global Health Research Programmes –Core Guidance for further details on research contract and collaboration agreements.

Please could you clarify the difference between “Lead Applicant”, "Co-applicant", or "Collaborator"?

Lead Applicants are normally researchers employed at an eligible LMIC or UK-based Higher Education Institution (HEI) or research institution, with appropriate reputation and standing within their employing organisations and have demonstrable ability to lead and manage a substantial large-scale programme of global health research. Contracting and funding must take place via the lead administering institution (i.e. the organisation where the LMIC/UK Joint Lead Applicant is employed).

Co-applicants are those individuals with responsibility for the day-to-day management and delivery of the project who form your project team or consortium. Co-applicants are expected to share responsibility for its successful delivery.

Collaborators are those who provide specific expertise on particular aspects of the project and form part of your wider research team. They do not share in the responsibility for the delivery of the project.

Please see the NIHR Global Health Research Programmes Core Guidance for detail.

What information is needed when co-applicants sign up to the online system?

When registering, please make sure to use your organisational (not personal) email address. Your email address will become your sign in username. If you are creating an account as a public co-applicant, you may use your personal email address to register. As a public co-applicant you must ensure to enter your organisation as PPI Representative.

Further information is available from the RMS System Help Guide.

What is considered to be appropriate community engagement and involvement in a RIGHT application?

In order to ensure that the research is appropriate as well as scientifically and ethically sound, relevant community groups and organisations from LMICs must be involved in a meaningful process that will help guide the research from its design to the dissemination of results.

There is no standard model for appropriate community engagement and involvement as RIGHT applications vary immensely.

Applicants may find the following information and resources helpful:

  • NIHR Community Engagement and Involvement Resource Guide
  • UNICEF Minimum Quality Standards and Indicators for Community Engagement
  • Involvement cost calculator

Applicants may also find it helpful to refer to Mesh, a collaborative open-access web space that provides resources, encourages networking and shares good practice to bridge the gap between the research community and the general public in low-and middle-income countries.

For more information on community and public involvement, please refer to the NIHR Engage and Involve Communities webpage.

Community Engagement and Involvement (CEI) is not always well established in LMICs and can therefore be challenging to involve in an application. Please can you provide additional advice on CEI?

CEI is an important part of a RIGHT application. NIHR recognises the challenges of CEI. NIHR has therefore established the Proposal and Partnership Development Award scheme.

NIHR also has additional resources on CEI. Applicants may find the following information and resources helpful:

Applicants may also find it helpful to refer to Mesh, a collaborative open-access web space that provides resources, encourages networking and shares good practice to bridge the gap between the research community and the general public in low-and middle-income countries.

For more information on community and public involvement, please refer to the Engage and Involve Communities webpage.

Are research capacity building actions supported?

Yes. One of the aims of the RIGHT programme is to build and strengthen capacity for research and knowledge exchange through equitable partnerships.

Do I need to complete and submit the RIGHT Due Diligence Form as part of my Stage 2 application?

No.

You are not required to submit the RIGHT Due Diligence Form with your Stage 2 application. This is only required if you are successful at Stage 2. For successful applicants, the Host Organisation will be required to complete and submit the RIGHT Due Diligence Form as part of the contracting stage.

Can you please advise whether the limit of 15 co-applicants can be increased at Stage 2?

No. The limit for co-investigators remains the same from Stage 1 which is a maximum of 15 co-applicants in addition to two (Joint) Lead Applicants. The individually named Co-applicants can change from stage 1 to stage 2 but the total cannot exceed 15 Co-applicants.

Do we need to provide a separate Justification of Resources as attachment?

No. At stage 1, justification of resources is not required. However, applicants should consider how the costs included in their application provide value for money and how their application will support global health research training and capacity building. Applicants are required to provide the details at stage 2.

Are detailed letters of support required at Stage 1?

Letters of support are not mandatory for Stage 1. Stage 1 applications must include a list of references and the finance summary form.

It is a mandatory requirement to include publications for lead applicants, but we are not able to import publications from ORCID using the ‘my research outputs’ tab. Please can you help?

In order to pull through applications from ORCID, you will need to select 'import' and select ORCID, which will present a number of options to import.

Some of my co-applicants have “confirmed” their participation but are not showing on the system as “approved” yet. What do they (or I)? need to do to “approve” and hence have their details visible?

The co-applicant's approval for their participation requires them to do two things: First to confirm their participation and then to approve the application. After they have confirmed their participation, they should go back to the main screen and scroll down where they can approve.

The Global Health Research Programmes Applications – Core Guidance states that "Complex programmes of global health research require significant levels of management to ensure successful delivery. It is a NIHR requirement that a full-time programme manager is appointed to manage the research contract, and sufficient resources are included and costed to manage the regular programme and financial reporting processes.” Please could you advise if this role is intended to be an academic, research related individual who would assist with elements of project management, or rather an administrative and support type role?

We would recommend an administrative support role whose primary focus is project management. This person can have a dual role, both research and administrative support, if that is deemed more appropriate. The project management plan and structure should be decided on by your team and should be addressed in your application.

Will the NIHR act as research sponsor for the projects that are funded via this call?

No, the NIHR is a distributed organisation providing a strategic framework for the different elements of the National Health Service (NHS) and UK Department of Health and Social Care funded and supported research.