Funding for research investigating the health and health inequality impacts of interventions that intentionally or unintentionally alter consumption of ultra-processed foods.
The PHR programme is predominantly interested in the evaluation of interventions operating at population/group level, rather than at an individual level, and which should address health inequalities and the wider determinants of health. Interventions are likely to impact different (sub)populations in different ways and researchers are encouraged to explore such inequalities of impact in their study design.
Research areas of interest could include, but are not limited to:
- Evaluation of existing interventions adapted for UPF consumption (e.g. interventions relating to intake of foods high in fat, salt, or sugar (HFSS)).
- Evaluation of interventions that impact inequality aspects of UPF consumption, including effective ways to reduce inequalities, and/or ways to mitigate or prevent widening of inequalities. Potential unintended consequences of UPF-related interventions are also of interest to the PHR Programme.
- The health and health inequality impacts of current public health messaging focused on, for example, reducing intake of HFSS foods compared with messaging about UPFs – and the dynamic that may exist between these approaches.
- Evaluation of interventions that involve advertising of UPFs.
- Evaluation of interventions that affect the (relative) cost or affordability of UPFs.
- Evaluative research of UPF-related interventions that examine sustainability and climate impacts (for example, as secondary outcomes) or sustainability/climate interventions that may impact UPF consumption. Please note the PHR Programme requires a health-related primary outcome.
- Evidence reviews (where possible and justified) of UPF-related interventions that impact health and/or health inequalities.
- Modelling studies (where possible and justified) on the health and/or health inequality impacts of UPF-related interventions.
- Evaluation of interventions that affect access to UPFs.
- Evaluation of interventions affecting the choice architecture of the environment related to UPF purchase or consumption.
- Evaluation of interventions focused on families/households and/or children (including infants) and young people – in relation to UPF consumption.
- Evaluation of multisectoral and/or whole-system approaches related to UPF.
- Evaluation of interventions focused on food labelling (including warning labels) in the context of UPF.
- Evaluation of UPF-related interventions focused on provision of food in educational settings (e.g. schools, nurseries).
A range of study designs and outcome measures can be used.
Primary outcomes must be health related and researchers will need to specify how these will be measured in the short, medium, and long term.
The main outcomes for economic evaluation are expected to include health (including health-related quality of life) and the impact on health inequalities as a minimum, with consideration of broader outcomes welcomed. Applications that do not include an economic component should provide appropriate justification.
There is no upper limit to the amount of funding researchers can apply for through the PHR programme.
All primary research projects are expected to establish a programme appointed Study/Trial Steering Committee and it is important that you read the Research Governance Guidelines before completing your application. Costs incurred by this committee should be included in the budget as appropriate.
Please consult the NIHR Specialist Centre for Public Health (SCPH) about the design of your research as soon as possible. Successful applications generally require a long time (several months) to develop.
Applicant support webinar: 9 October 2024 (11:15 – 12:30)
Stage one deadline: 13 December 2024 (1pm)
Further details, including commissioning brief, guidance notes, timescale and webinar registration can be found here.