Highlight notices are areas of ongoing health research priorities for NIHR’s funding programmes, in this case the Research Programme for Social Care (RPSC).
Under this highlight notice, the RPSC is inviting proposals for ambitious research projects that explore what works for children and young people in Social Care, particularly focusing on prevention/resilience/recovery, poverty/vulnerability and workforce.
This opportunity offers researchers considerable flexibility to focus on any subject area or topic providing that it falls within the remits of RPSC and the Children’s Social Care highlight notice.
ELIGIBILITY
Proposals should be within the RPSC scope, the scope of the Children’s Social Care highlight notice as specified in the research specification, and in line with the principles of the Children’s Social Care National Framework (see below).
Applications will need to demonstrate how any research will benefit children (under 18 years of age) and/or young people (under 25 years of age) and increase the effectiveness of social care.
As with the regular RPSC funding opportunities, RPSC encourages early career applicants to apply (the programme includes a dedicated sub-stream for early career researchers) and that all applicants consider applying for additional capacity building funding.
VALUE AND DURATION
The amount awarded and the length of the funding period depend on the nature of the proposed work. Strong justification for the research duration and funding requested is required and will be considered by the reviewing committee.
KEY DATES
Webinar: 1 July 2025 (11am)
Outline application deadline: 17 September 2025