Programme Grants for Applied Research

PGfAR funds programmes of applied research that generally comprise a number of high quality interrelated projects, usually described in separate work packages, that form a coherent theme, where added value is gained from the combination of the various strands of research.

The research programme should:

• address stated local and/or national priorities in health, public health or social care 
• be conducted in and/or recruit from geographical locations of high health and care need, where possible
• clearly demonstrate how patients, service users and/or carers have been involved and engaged with the programme
• use a range of multidisciplinary and methodological approaches
• demonstrate the value of a treatment, package of care or service improvement on clinically relevant outcomes for those programmes addressing health issues. Intermediate outcome measures will only be acceptable where there is convincing evidence that these have strong relationship with clinical outcomes. Similar criteria should be applied to public health and social care studies, where the outcomes should be justified in terms of demonstrating benefits linked to population health, or to service users and carers
• make a stepped change to practice and/or outcomes. Proposals that comprise application of existing interventions to new patient, service user or carer groups, or the wider public; that are only an incremental development on current practice; or are unlikely to have general application or uptake, are unlikely to be competitive
• address the integration of aspects of health and social care to improve patient, service user or carer outcomes
• include clear plans for implementation, knowledge mobilisation and dissemination

All NHS bodies and other providers of NHS services in England may apply for programme awards, in collaboration with an appropriate academic partner or partners. For more information see our tips for applying to PGfAR.

How long and how much? 

The amount awarded and the length of the funding period depends on the nature of the proposed work. Funding in excess of £2.5 million beyond 6 years will be unusual. 

It is anticipated that programmes using novel designs will facilitate shorter, more efficient, less expensive programmes. As a guide, such programmes might be delivered over 3 years with costs of £1-1.5m.

Potential applicants can undertake appropriate preparatory work through a Programme Development Grant to strengthen their future programme.

When is funding available?

PGfAR has three funding opportunities a year that typically launch in February, June and October. See the dates for our funding competitions.

How do I apply?

PGfAR has a two stage application process. Please see the applicant guidance for stage 1 and stage 2, and the supporting information, to find out more.  For detailed finance guidance, please see the detailed budget section in the guidance for stage 2 applications (section 11). Potential applicants can seek advice on their proposal from the programme team through the pre-submission enquiry form.

Research proposals are submitted to PGfAR online through the Research Management System. We supply template application forms for stage 1 and stage 2 to help researchers prepare their proposal ahead of submission.

Apply now

PGfAR will support:

• applied health research and social care research, including: health services research; public health research; social care research; economic evaluations; and modelling (e.g. decision analytic studies).
• research that is tractable, i.e. implementable, within the NHS, public health or social care sector
• qualitative research, applied epidemiology, observational research, use of existing data from previous research, or routinely collected health and care data to demonstrate patient, service user or carer benefits
• as part of a broader programme of work, pilot or feasibility studies for large, definitive trials, whose funding would be sought from elsewhere
• evidence synthesis and systematic reviews, and methodological research

The programme will not support:

• laboratory-based research, basic science research and experimental medicine. Applications containing elements of basic research or experimental medicine will not be funded if this research cannot be removed without compromising the delivery of the programme.
• animal studies or work on animal tissues.
• exploratory rather than confirmatory research; for example, 'fishing expeditions' to find risk factors. Validation of previously identified factors would be eligible for support.
• development of theory, although its validation or application would be supported.
• applications comprising solely a single randomised controlled trial (RCT).
• applications comprising solely of a collection of small RCTs that are unlikely to be deemed sufficiently coherent.
• applications consisting solely of evaluations of existing services, where the programme of work does not include work to allow the evidence-based development of these services.
• applications for funding to complete research originally funded by other organisations.
• applications for work that is not generalisable beyond the immediate service environment.

The selection criteria used by our funding committees include:

• the relevant range of applicants' expertise in conducting high quality applied health and social care research
• the importance and relevance of the proposed research to the priorities and needs of the NHS, public health, social care, patients, service users, carers, or the wider public and population
• the likelihood of significant benefit to the NHS, public health, social care, patients, service users, carers or public throughout the programme
• the quality of the research planned
• the quality of involvement and engagement of patients, service users, carers in developing and supporting the research
• evidence of attention to issues of equality, diversity and inclusion
• the value for money provided by the application

PGfAR success rates Stage 1 scoring criteria Stage 2 scoring criteria

PGfAR recommends research proposals for funding through its main selection committee and its subcommittees. Programme Development Grant applications are assessed by the same committees.

The stage 2 subcommittees are standing committees, whereas the stage 1 subcommittee and main selection committees are convened for each funding competition.

Proposals are first assessed by the stage 1 subcommittee, and then shortlisted proposals are sent for methodological review. Stage 2 proposals are sent for peer review, before being assessed by the stage 2 subcommittees. The outcomes from each stage 2 subcommittee are then discussed and reviewed by the main selection committee.

The main selection committee recommends projects for funding to the Department of Health and Social Care, which approves which projects should be funded.

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 programmes. 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.

NIHR registry of interests

Our Programme Director

Professor Elaine Hay is Programme Director of PGfAR.

Our Stage 2 Subcommittee Chairs

Professor Tracy Roberts is Chair of PGfAR subcommittee A. View the full membership of Subcommittee A.

Professor Jonathan Mant is Chair of PGfAR subcommittee B. View the full membership of Subcommittee B.

Professor Kate Jolly is Chair of PGfAR subcommittee C. View the full membership of Subcommittee C.

Professor Simon Heller is Chair of PGfAR subcommittee D. View the full membership of Subcommittee D.

Meeting minutes

We offer a wide variety of assistance during all stages of the research process. If in doubt, please get in touch.

Tel: 020 8843 8056
Email: programme.grants@nihr.ac.uk
Our operating hours are 9.00am to 5.00pm

Our programme team

Assistant Director
Mr Rajinder Flora

Senior Programme Managers
Dr Shaun McMaster
Dr Katie Cook
Mr Thomas Hutchinson

Programme Managers
Ms Fiona Giles
Dr Ramnath Elaswarapu
Ms Saima Siddiqui
Ms Lauren Back

Senior Research Officer
Ms Saprina Harrison

Research Officer
Ms Batool Raza

Senior Administrator
Ms Mandy Norton

NIHR Central Commissioning Facility
Grange House
15 Church Street
Twickenham TW1 3NL

• Do you need help getting started? Contact the Research Design Service.
• Do you need assistance running your study in the NHS? Contact the Study Support Service.