Funding for research that generates evidence to improve and strengthen the way in which social care is provided for users of care services, carers, the social care workforce, and the public in the UK.
The programme funds primary, secondary and evidence synthesis research including qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods designs. All proposals are expected to have a high degree of involvement from relevant people who need or use social care and the social care workforce.
Proposals are welcomed from researchers and practitioners that are focused on, but not limited to:
- Studies of social care needs, circumstances and relevant outcomes related to adults, children or young people who need or use social care and carers (including studies of inequalities in any of these domains).
- Evaluation of existing or new social care services, addressing their effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and distributional consequences.
- Effectiveness and cost-effectiveness evaluations of interventions, including adaptations or refinements of existing interventions/technologies.
- Developing and testing new assessments, interventions or services.
- Research methods development.
- Feasibility, pilot and definitive trials.
- Research examining consequences for social care users of provision of other services (e.g., health, education, criminal justice, family courts, housing, benefits).
- Policy-implementation research.
- Studies that involve secondary data analysis or record linkage.
- Systematic or other reviews of evidence.
- Strategies for preventing or delaying the need for care and support.
- Research on approaches to support and strengthen the social care workforce.
- Capacity-building opportunities within awards.
RELEVANT NIHR HIGHLIGHT NOTICES AND THEMED CALLS
This Research Programme for Social Care competition is currently participating in the following highlight notices and themed calls:
- DHSC area of research interest early action to prevent poor health outcomes
- National Institute for Health and Care Evidence (NICE) NIHR NICE Rolling Call
- NIHR James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnerships Rolling Call
ELIGIBILITY
Applications can be made through universities, local authorities/governments, NHS bodies or other providers of social care services across the UK, but must have strong involvement and collaborations with organisations that are responsible for delivering social care services, where appropriate.
VALUE AND DURATION
The amount awarded and the length of the funding period for individual projects will depend on the nature of the proposed work. Therefore, strong justification for the research duration and funding requested is required.
KEY DATES
Webinar: 29 October 2024, 2-4pm (view agenda and register here)
Deadline for stage one applications: 15 January 2025
Stage two applications open (if invited): 9 April 2025
Deadline for stage two applications: 21 May 2025
Further details, including research specification, application guidance and FAQs, are available via the supporting information tab on the opportunity webpage.