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The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme funds research about the clinical and cost-effectiveness and broader impact of healthcare treatments and tests for those who plan, provide or receive care from NHS and social care services.
The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is funded by the NIHR with specific contributions from the Chief Scientist Office (CSO) in Scotland, Health and Care Research Wales and the HSC R&D Division, Public Health Agency in Northern Ireland.
HTA research is undertaken where some evidence already exists to show that a technology can be effective and this needs to be compared to the current standard intervention to see which works best.
Research can evaluate any intervention used in the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of disease, provided the study outcomes lead to findings that have the potential to be of direct benefit to NHS patients.
The HTA programme needs to be convinced that an intervention is ready for HTA evaluation. We've prepared a document outlining the issues that may determine this judgement.
The researcher-led workstream offers researchers the opportunity to submit proposals on topics or research questions within the programme’s remit. The commissioned workstream invites applications in response to calls for research on specific questions which have been identified and prioritised for their importance to the NHS and patients. Proposals may include primary research, evidence synthesis, or feasibility and pilot studies when requested within the commissioning brief.
All of our funded projects are eligible for publication in the NIHR Journals Library. This open access resource is freely available online, and provides a full and permanent record of NIHR-funded research.
The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme supports research that is immediately useful to patients, clinical practice, and policy or decision makers.
HTA research is undertaken when evidence exists to show that a technology can be effective. The purpose of an HTA study is to establish the clinical and cost-effectiveness for the NHS in comparison with the current best alternative(s). A study may also investigate uncertainty around a technology’s place in the existing care pathway.
“Technologies” in this context mean any method used to promote health; prevent and treat disease; and improve rehabilitation or long-term care. They are not confined to new drugs and include any intervention used in the treatment, prevention or diagnosis of disease.
The technology doesn't necessarily need to exist in current NHS practice, but a study would need to show that it could.
Health Technology Assessment asks important questions about these technologies such as:
It answers these questions by investigating four main factors:
The HTA Programme will support:
The HTA Programme will not support:
In this section you can read more on the people involved in the assessment of applications for the Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme, and find out more about becoming a reviewer or a Committee member.
New developments in health research funding are transforming the way research in the NHS is organised and carried out. The HTA Programme invites and works with a range of individuals to meet the research needs of the NHS. Their support and input allows us to fund high-quality, evidence-based, value for money research.
The people who work in, work with or use NHS services provide vital input into all stages of the HTA Programme.
Members of NIHR Committees are required to declare any interests which conflict, or may be considered to conflict, with NIHR business, or may be perceived as influencing decisions made in the course of their work within NIHR. All members are asked to complete the Register of Interest form (annually), which is intended to capture long term predictable interests that could be perceived to lead to conflicts of interest. These and other interests are judged on a case by case basis at individual meetings.
Watch the latest director's message
The HTA Committees meet three times a year to assess the scientific merit of proposals submitted to both the commissioned and researcher-led workstreams, including themed calls and evidence synthesis proposals, and to make funding recommendations to the Programme Oversight Committee. You can view the members of our committees on the links below:
HTA Funding Committee (General)
HTA Funding Committee (Commissioning)
HTA Funding Committee Clinical Evaluation and Trials
HTA Prioritisation Committee: Integrated community health and social care
HTA Prioritisation Committee: Hospital based care
HTA Prioritisation Committee: Maternal, child and mental health care
HTA Programme Oversight Committee
Funding Committee minutes and outcomes
To assure the scientific quality of its research, the HTA Programme relies upon the help of external reviewers to review:
External reviewers play a vital part in maintaining and improving the quality of HTA Programme research and are sought from a variety of fields, including clinical, methodological and those who use NHS services. View a list of HTA reviewers.
We offer a wide variety of assistance during all stages of the research process. If in doubt, please get in touch.
For help with applying for HTA funding:
Commissioned calls
Tel: 023 8059 5510
Email: htacommissioning@nihr.ac.uk
Researcher-led calls
Tel: 023 8059 5544
Email: htacet@nihr.ac.uk
General queries
Email: htafunding@nihr.ac.uk
This cross-programme funding opportunity is open for two rounds.
The Health Technology Assessment Programme is accepting stage 1 applications to their commissioned workstream for this primary research topic.
The Health Technology Assessment Programme is accepting stage 1 applications to their researcher-led workstream.
The Health Technology Assessment Programme is accepting stage 1 applications to their researcher-led workstream.
The EME, HS&DR, HTA and PHR Programmes are all accepting applications for this funding opportunity.
HTA Funding Committee (Commissioning) Public Minutes 19-20 May 2020
Guidance for applicants for HTA Funding Committee Deputy Chair vacancy
HTA Funding Committee March 17-18 March 2020
HTA Funding Committee (CET) Public Minutes 10-11 March 2020
Specification document for those applying to the HTA researcher-led open call for primary research and evidence synthesis
