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Scheme Guidance Notes: NIHR Global Health Research Cohort Academic Development Award Round 3 (2023)

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Published: 23 November 2023

Version: November 2023

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Section 1: Introduction

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) is funded by the UK’s Department of Health and Social Care. Its work in low and middle income countries is principally funded through UK international development funding from the UK government.

The NIHR Global Health Research Portfolio uses UK international development funding to support high quality applied health research and training to meet the needs of the people in low and middle income countries (LMICs). This research aims to:

  • Address the shifting global burden of disease
  • Develop health systems to identify and respond to population needs
  • Build resilience to tackle future global health threats
  • Strengthen research capacity in LMICs through equitable partnerships between LMIC and UK researchers.

Further information on the NIHR Global Health Research portfolio is available on the NIHR website.

Section 2: About the NIHR GHR CADA

The NIHR GHR Cohort Academic Development Award (GHR CADA) scheme offers funding for a tailored programme of activities to meet the academic training and career development needs of cohorts of NIHR GHR Academy members in NIHR GHR Programme awards.

NIHR GHR Programme Training Leads (or Directors/Principle investigators (PIs) where there is no training lead in place) and Global Health Research Professors (GRP) can apply for up to £30,000 to undertake a programme of activities for their NIHR GHR Academy members and, where training leads align, members in other NIHR GHR Programme awards.

Applications are light-touch and will be assessed in an open competition. Funding can include training course fees, invited trainer, speaker or facilitator costs, accommodation, travel, subsistence and any other reasonable expenses, for example internet connectivity costs incurred during the activities.

Following completion of a GHR CADA award, the awardee is expected to be able to show evidence of:

  • Completion of the programme of activities proposed in the application
  • Development of new research or technical skills/techniques within the cohort
  • Increased academic career development of the cohort
  • Involvement in collaborative relationships and increased networks.
  • Evidence of the above will be sought by the NIHR through the GHR CADA final report.

2.1 Definitions

NIHR GHR Programme Training Lead 

The NIHR Global Health Research Training Leads from the NIHR GHR Units, Groups and Centres and includes training leads and people responsible for coordinating training under the NIHR RIGHT and HPSR programmes and Global Research Professorship awards.

NIHR GHR Academy Members

An NIHR Global Health Research Academy member is someone who is receiving funding from, or being supported by, an NIHR Global Health Research Programme (including Global Research Professorship Award) to develop their academic career.

‘NIHR Global Health Research Programme’ includes official collaborating institutions. An official collaborating institution (‘Partner’ or ‘Collaborator’) is an organisation which holds a current collaboration agreement with the holder of the NIHR Global Health Research Programme research contract to participate in global health research work, and which may or may not be in receipt of NIHR funds. Those in receipt of co-funded awards administered by a Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) partner organisation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

NIHR GHR Programmes 

NIHR Global Health Research Units, NIHR Global Health Research Groups, NIHR Global Health Research Centres, Global Health Policy and Systems Research (HPSR), NIHR Research and Innovation for Global Health Transformation (RIGHT) and Global Research Professorships.

NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution

The contractor and accountable body for the award will be the Institution contracted to lead (‘the GHR Programme Lead Institution’) the NIHR GHR Programme award or NIHR Global Research Professorship award that you are from. The NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution is the Institution that holds the NIHR research contract with the Department of Health and Social Care ‘Authority’.

Official Collaborating Institution

An official collaborating institution (‘Partner’ or ‘Collaborator’) is an organisation which holds a current collaboration agreement with the holder of the NIHR research contract to participate in global health research work, and which may or may not be in receipt of NIHR funds.

Section 3: Eligibility

3.1 ODA eligibility criteria

The NIHR GHR CADA is funded by Official Development Assistance (ODA) and as such, an individual applying for this award must be able to demonstrate how the award will directly and primarily benefit patients and the public in countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) List of ODA Recipients (OECD DAC list). The meet ODA eligibility criteria, applications must demonstrate:

  • Which country or countries on the OECD DAC list of ODA eligible countries will directly benefit
  • How the application is directly and primarily relevant to the development challenges of those countries
  • How the outcomes of the training activity will benefit the health and welfare of a country or countries on the OECD DAC list. 

Where researchers wish to work with middle-income countries on the OECD DAC list the application must make a clear case for how the research will be of primary benefit to the development challenges of those countries, and how outcomes will promote health and welfare.

Further information can be found in NIHR ODA Guidance for Researchers and in Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance for applicants.

3.2 Who can apply

The NIHR GHR CADA is open to all training leads,directors, PIs or GRPs in NIHR GHR Programmes with an overarching contract end date after 31st December 2024. To apply for an NIHR GHR CADA you must:

  • Be in a position to undertake the programme of activities and complete the award before the 28th February 2025
  • Be in a position to complete the award at least 2 months before the end of the overarching NIHR GHR Programme research contract (whichever is the soonest); for example if the overarching research contract ends on 31st December 2024, activities must be completed by 31st October 2024
  • Submit a short written report within 2 months of the completion of the award/activities or before 30th April 2025 (whichever is soonest)
  • Have the continued support of the NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution of the NIHR GHR Programme award you belong to. The NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution (who holds the NIHR research contract with the Department of Health and Social Care ‘the Authority’) will be the contract and accountable body for the award and will administer the award

Criteria related to the applicant

Lead applicant

  • You must be either a NIHR GHR Programme Training Lead or NIHR GHR Programme Director or PI (where no GHR Programme training lead is in place) or a Global Health Research Professor
  • Your ‘employing organisation’ must be listed as ‘Official Collaborating Institutions’ and named parties in your respective GHR Programme award’s current collaboration agreement
  • You must have the support of the Lead Institution of the NIHR GHR Programme award partnership you are part of.

Co-applicant (optional)

  • They must be an NIHR GHR Academy Member who will take an active role in the development of the application and contribute to the planning, implementation and/or evaluation of activities conducted as part of the award
  • Their ‘Employing Organisation’ must be listed as ‘Official Collaborating Institutions’ and named parties in their respective GHR Programme award’s current collaboration agreement
  • They must have the support of the Lead Institution of the NIHR GHR Programme award partnership they are part of.

Collaborator (optional)

  • They must be an NIHR GHR Academy Member from a different programme who will take a working role in the development of the application and contribute to the planning, implementation and/or evaluation of activities conducted as part of the award
  • They must have the support of the Lead Institution of the NIHR GHR Programme award partnership they are part of.

We encourage that the ‘Lead Applicant’ partners with at least one other NIHR GHR Programme award in their application (this could be a regional or thematic alignment), to ensure that the benefit of the funding is felt more widely than an individual GHR Programme award. NIHR GHR Programme Training Leads should engage with other NIHR GHR Programme awards to identify those that found similar needs in their cohorts, and could plan a joint programme of activities.

Section 4: Scope of Award

The overall aim of the scheme is to enable NIHR GHR Programme awards to address the academic career development needs they identify in the cohort of individuals whose research training they are investing in, particularly those based in LMICs. This could include bringing individuals together for a common aim, enhancing their exposure to multi-disciplinary working, as well as building networks and providing peer support.

All applications should be informed by a completed academic development training needs analysis with the LMIC-based cohort the NIHR GHR Programme award is investing in, which is required to be submitted alongside the application form. No specific format is required for the academic development training needs analysis.

Funding awarded in this scheme should not replace what the NIHR GHR Programme award had planned to address with their research grant, but rather to address any emerging needs that appear as they start to work with their cohort. Each application should have clear tangible outputs and plans for how outputs will be disseminated/followed-up. Applicants should also consider any potential longer-term benefits that might arise and actions that will be taken to ensure that potential impact is realised.

The scheme aims to foster cross-NIHR GHR working, and allow individuals to capitalise on the benefits of being part of something larger than their own local research environments. It is expected that the scheme will contribute to enhancing the NIHR GHR Programmes outcomes in achieving direct and primary benefit for patients and populations in LMICs.

4.1 Types of activities that could be supported by an NIHR GHR CADA

The award should be used to develop a programme of activities that will strengthen the cohort’s academic research career skills and development. Each programme of activities will be unique in terms of its location, duration, structure, how it is delivered and the context/topic; but with the overall aim to be a platform for learning and development for the cohort, as well as providing peer to peer support/exchange and collaboration/networking opportunities.

The programme of activities delivered is expected to have the following overarching objectives:

  • Support relevant career development needs that are pertinent to your cohort(s)
  • Contribute to capacity strengthening of early career researchers – The application should include a description of how the activities will contribute to the personal and professional development of the cohort. The application should indicate how the applicant envisages this occurring (either within each country, or cross-nationally)
  • Strengthen networks, with the potential for longer-term sustainability. The activities should stimulate longer-term links/networks, as well as to contribute to the personal and professional development of the GHR cohort
  • NIHRGHR Programme Training Leads may identify training needs in order to perform the ‘GHR Programme Training Lead’ role (such as leadership/mentoring/coaching skills),andmayplanwithotherNIHRGHR Programme Training Leads to conduct activities to meet these needs. For example the applicant(s) may want to:
    • Hold or attend workshops or training courses on skills to strengthen research capacity
    • Establish peer-to-peer learning group/network
    • Establish cross-programme award mentoring
    • Establish cross-programme award journal clubs.

However, the NIHR GHR CADA is not limited to just these types of activities and we strongly encourage NIHR GHR Programme Training Leads to develop and plan a bespoke experience and programme of activities, based on the training needs analysis, aimed at supporting their cohort’s needs, professional development and research career trajectories.

4.2 Helpful Resources/Documents Available to Potential Applicants

  1. GHR CADA Round 1 Chairs report.
  2. NIHR GHR SPARC - Where Can I Go?
  3. Find your GHR Programme Training Lead.

4.3 Award Duration

NIHR GHR CADA activities must start on the first of the month between 1st July 2024 and 1st February 2025, but must be completed before the 28th February 2025 and at least two months before the end of the overarching GHR Programme research contract in which the applicant is based.

We recognise the need to adopt a flexible approach to activities. There is no minimum or maximum duration for the programme of activities; implementation of activities may range from 2/3 weeks up to 6 months and this period can be broken up to allow flexibility.

4.4 Award Management

A NIHR GHR CADA ‘Award Contract Letter’ will be put in place with the Lead Institution contracted to lead (‘the GHR Programme Lead Institution’) the NIHR GHR Programme or GH Research Professorship award that the applicants’ ’Employing Organisation’ (substantive employer) institution is partnered with (for some applicants the ‘Employing Organisation’ and ‘NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution’ may be the same institution), and the Department for Health and Social Care (the ‘Authority’).

The contract will outline that NIHR will reimburse the Lead Institution contracted to lead (‘the NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution’) the NIHR GHR Programme or GH Research Professorship award that the applicants’ Employing Organisation (substantive employer) is partnered with up to the awarded amount after the programme of activities is complete. Successful applicants will:

  • Notify the NIHR when the programme of activities/CADA award has come to an end
  • Submit a written report within 2 months of the completion of the activities or by 30th April 2025 (whichever is soonest), in a form provided by the NIHR, detailing the activities, achievements, outputs and impacts, along with an evaluation of the programme of activities

The applicant's NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution may need to transfer funds to the applicant’s ‘Employing Organisation’ to enable the activities to take place. NIHR will reimburse the NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution after a final invoice is provided.

The applicants NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution (’contractor’) will:

  • Within 2 months of the completion of the activities or by the 30 April 2025 and at least 2 months before the end of the overarching NIHR GHR Programme award or NIHR Global Research Professorship award research contract (whichever is soonest) submit an invoice to the NIHR for incidental expenses incurred during the activities, up to the limit of the amount awarded
  • Confirm sight and approval of all supporting documentation (i.e. receipts) for expenses incurred and that the costs incurred are as described in the NIHR GHR CADA application form and approved by the Selection Committee. The NIHR reserves the right to request copies of supporting documentation
  • Confirm sight of a certificate of attendance/completion or confirmation from the training facilitator/supplier/organiser of any training course(s) the applicant has agreed their cohort will undertake as part of the award
  • Take responsibility for ensuring the institution that has borne the cost will be repaid and will inform NIHR as to how much of the funding is disbursed to LMICs.

The NIHR GHR CADA awards will be non-transferable to another NIHR GHR Programme award. If the GHR Programme Training Lead awarded the NIHR GHR CADA is no longer affiliated with the GHR Programme award, the NIHR GHR CADA award may be transferred to a new Training Lead or GHR Programme Director identified by the NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution.

If the NIHR GHR CADA holder is unable to undertake the award/programme of activities as submitted, they must contact the NIHR Academy as soon as they are aware. On a case by case basis, the situation will be evaluated to determine if the award can be deferred to a different agreed date, used for a different activity in another location that is deemed appropriate/valuable to the cohort’s professional development, or must be declined/terminated on this occasion.

Section 5: Scope of Funding

You can apply for awards of up to £30,000 per individual. Funding can include:

  • Funding for any specific formal training courses (e.g qualitative research methods course, implementation science training, PPI training etc.)
  •  Funding to cover; travel, accommodation and subsistence in order to deliver the programme of activities
  • Funding for any invited speaker/facilitator costs can be included where necessary and should be appropriately justified within the application
  • Funding for other reasonable costs required to deliver the activities such as venue hire, internet connectivity costs, flip chart/printing etc

Costs which will not be covered by an NIHR GHR CADA award:

  • research costs
  • supervisory fees
  • open access fees
  • insurance
  • conference fees

It is expected these costs would be funded by the applicant’s NIHR GHR Programme award if required. Support for salary/stipend/fees will not be provided by NIHR under this award.

Section 6: Selection Criteria

All applications will be assessed using the following criteria which will have equal weighting:

  • the extent to which the suggested programme of activities will provide a high-quality and stimulating experience for the cohort
  • the extent to which the programme of activities is focussed on skills development and advancement of academic careers
  • the potential for the proposed activities to enhance your cohort’s research training and career development
  • the extent to which the proposed programme of activities (training/workshop etc) is not available in your institution(s)
  • the programme of activities meets the training needs of the cohort as identified in the academic development training needs analysis
  • the value for money of the programme of activities
  • the extent of collaboration with other NIHR GHR Programme awards.
  • the fulfilment of ODA eligibility criteria.

Section 7: Application Procedure

Before submitting the application, you must have received approval and support from your NIHR GHR Programme Lead Institution. You should all agree on the scope of the application.

The NIHR (via ghrtp@nihr.ac.uk) can advise on eligibility and remit enquiries, and answer queries any party has when completing the application form.

You should liaise with the Programme Director/PI/GRP of the NIHR GHR Programme award that will administer the contract to ensure their support.

You are required to submit an application form via ARAMIS. The application form will need to be signed by the NIHR GHR Programme Director/PI (unless the applicant is a GRP/PI or the Programme Director in which case the Head of Department/Line Manager should be the signatory and sign the application).

All components of your application form and associated CV 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.

All applications will undergo an initial screen for eligibility and remit. The NIHR may contact you directly and cross check NIHR GHR Programme ‘Official Collaborating Institutions’ with colleagues who manage the NIHR GHR Programme or NIHR Global Research Professorship research contracts.

The NIHR will distribute eligible applications to the members of the NIHR GHR Training Programme Selection Committee. Applications will be reviewed by the Selection Committee, who will make recommendations for funding that will be considered by the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) Science, Research and Evidence (SRE) Directorate. Once confirmed, the funding decisions will then be communicated to applicants

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by email when all required processes are complete. The selection process and subsequent management of the NIHR GHR CADA awards will be managed by the NIHR.

7.1 Application Timetable

  • Webinar on award: 29 November 2023
  • Round 3 Competition launch: 30 November 2023
  • Round 3 Competition Deadline for applications: 15 February 2024
  • Assessment of eligible applications by Selection Committee: February - March 2024
  • NIHR GHR Training Programme Selection Committee Funding Recommendation Meeting: March 2024

Section 8: Completing an online application

Applications will need to be completed and submitted via the NIHR Academy Research Awards Management Information System ARAMIS by 15th February 2024.

The application for the NIHR GHR CADA is a collaborative process and will require participants and signatories to sign into ARAMIS.

8.1 Applicant

You will only be able to press the ‘Submit’ button when:

  • All mandatory sections of the application form are complete
  • All participants have agreed to be part of your application
  • The signatories have agreed to their role
  • The nominating HEI or Research Institute and partner organisations have completed the Support Statement sections.

Clicking ‘Submit’ will send the application for final sign off by the signatories. You are advised to validate the application as you work through the application form. Once all other parties have made their contribution, you must ‘Submit’ the application to the signatories for final sign off before the closing date.

8.2 Participants

You are required to supply the names and email addresses of the individuals who will be undertaking ‘participant’ roles as part of your application. Participants must agree to be part of the application. Participants are required to review the declaration for the role before confirming participation as part of the one-click ‘confirm’ process.

8.2.1 Optional participants:

  • Co-applicant: The individual acting as a co-applicant must confirm that they have read the application and the guidance notes and are willing to provide support to the named applicant for the programme of activities as detailed in this application and agree to abide by the conditions under which an award may be granted.
  • Collaborators: The individual acting as a collaborator must confirm that they have read the application and the guidance notes and are willing to provide support to the named applicant in part or all of the programme of activities as detailed in this application and agree to abide by the conditions under which an award may be granted on behalf of their NIHR GHR Programme award.

8.3 Signatories

You are required to supply the names and email addresses of the individuals who will be undertaking ‘Signatories’ roles as part of your application. Once their contact details have been entered, the signatories will be invited to log into the system and confirm their participation. Signatories will be required to:

  • Agree to the role being asked of them in the application before the application is submitted by the applicant
  • Agree to participate and complete their sections. You will not be able to submit the application if this has not been completed
  • Approve the final version of the application after it has been submitted via the online system
  • Signatories must approve the application after you have selected the ‘submit’ option but before the application submission deadline
  • The final signatory approval will result in the application being fully submitted to the NIHR. All parties (applicant, participants and signatories) will be notified of this via an automated system generated email.

8.3.1 Required Signatories

  • NIHR GHR Director/PI (or Head of Department/Line manager if the application is from a Programme Director, PI or GRP): They must confirm they have read the application and guidance notes and agree that the cohort will benefit from the activities, meet the objectives described in the activity plan and that the opportunity will complement the research training the NIHR GHR Programme award is currently undertaking. They must supply a statement of support that agrees application will benefit the stated cohort and the objectives described in the activity plan. They agree that they will take all reasonable steps to ensure that they meet the standards set out in the NIHR Safeguarding Guidance (September 2020) and the due diligence obligations under the NIHR contract.

Image description: Application submission Process Flow Diagram Step 1: Application created, Step 2: Applicant adds participant and signatory details, Signatories and Participants log in and confirm their participation, Signatories and Participants complete sections of the form where applicable, Step 3 Applicant continues entering data completing all the relevant sections of the form, Step 4: applicant presses the submit button, Step 5: Automated emails sent to notify signatories, Step 6 Once all signatories have approved the application it is automatically submitted to the NIHR for consideration (rejection of the application by any individual at step 6 will return the application to Step 3).

Section 9: General Advice

  • All submissions via the online application system must be in English
  • Applications will not be accepted if submitted after the exact closing date and time (Thursday 15th February at 1pm GMT). The system will automatically prevent this from happening
  • It is your responsibility to allow sufficient time to submit an application and signatory sign off
  • You must contact the NIHR Global Health team by emailing academy-awards@nihr.ac.uk or call 0113 532 8444 (Option 4) immediately if you think there is a system problem, whilst attempting to continue with your submission
  • Please see the Application Form Guidance on completing your application form, which also contains guidance on how to write the budget.
  • This document should be read with the Global Health Research Programmes - Core Guidance for Applicants for further guidance.