This funding stream invites applications for standalone evidence syntheses that address the UK’s most pressing health and social care challenges.
The scope of this funding opportunity is broad, covering (but not limited to) the areas below:
- evidence synthesis addressing the clinical and cost-effectiveness, and broader impact of healthcare treatments, tests, and other interventions
- evidence synthesis focused on improving public health and well-being, including studies aimed at reducing health inequalities
- evidence synthesis focused on improving the delivery of health and social care services
- evidence synthesis addressing the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of social care interventions, with outcomes related to the health and well-being of service users and their carers
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the NHS 10-year Health Plan for England, or the Department of Health and Social Care’s (DHSC’s) Areas of Research Interest (ARIs). By addressing the UK’s strategic health priorities, your research topic will have maximum relevance and the potential for direct real-world impact.
What are evidence syntheses?
Evidence syntheses combine data from multiple sources, most commonly from existing research studies, to provide an overall summary of current knowledge:
- Systematic reviews – aim to identify and formally evaluate all the studies addressing a clearly defined research question using methods that are set out in advance.
- Rapid reviews – when an answer is needed quickly, researchers can use streamlined methods to produce a rapid review.
- Scoping reviews or production of an evidence map – these can be carried out if we want to know what studies exist without looking in detail at their findings.
- Statistical analysis – evidence syntheses may include a statistical analysis that combines individual study results – this is called a meta-analysis or a network meta-analysis when 3 or more comparisons are being made within a single analysis.
- Decision analytic modelling – is a means of estimating the costs, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of different interventions and programmes.
ELIGIBILITY
Researchers can submit proposals on topics or research questions that require standalone evidence synthesis. Proposals can range from a single systematic review, through to a complex meta-analysis and may include an economic analysis or modelling component. Also eligible are methodological sub-studies, which can help significantly improve methodology of future research as well as the host study. Find out more about methodological sub-studies and how to include them in your application.
Whatever the approach, you must clearly demonstrate your knowledge of the research topic and related current research as well as of evidence synthesis methods.
Note that this opportunity is aimed at high-impact evidence synthesis research with national relevance. Submissions that address very narrow questions, or those limited to rapid reviews, scoping reviews, or evidence maps, are currently not in scope.
Although not a formal eligibility criterion, proposals should also be developed through co-production with topic experts and relevant stakeholders which may, for example, include health, public health and social care practitioners; patients, carers, and the public; charities, local authorities, and third sector organisations.
VALUE AND DURATION
No limit – projects should state timelines for project delivery that are proportionate to the type of evidence synthesis proposed.
KEY DATES
Deadline: 18 May 2026
Expected decision date: September 2026
See opportunity webpage for more information on research specification and the application process. An application form template is also included below.