{"id":2048,"date":"2026-02-12T10:51:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:51:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/?p=2048"},"modified":"2026-02-12T10:51:33","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T10:51:33","slug":"nihr-researcher-led-evidence-synthesis-programme","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/?p=2048","title":{"rendered":"NIHR researcher-led evidence synthesis programme"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"59\" src=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NIHR-latest.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-2049\" srcset=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NIHR-latest.png 600w, https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/NIHR-latest-300x30.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This funding stream invites applications for standalone <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nihr.ac.uk\/research-funding\/funding-programmes\/evidence-synthesis\">evidence syntheses<\/a> that address the UK\u2019s most pressing health and social care challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The scope of this funding opportunity is broad, covering (but not limited to) the areas below:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>evidence synthesis addressing the clinical and cost-effectiveness, and broader impact of healthcare treatments, tests, and other interventions<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>evidence synthesis focused on improving public health and well-being, including studies aimed at reducing health inequalities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>evidence synthesis focused on improving the delivery of health and social care services<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.england.nhs.uk\/long-term-plan\/\">NHS 10-year Health Plan for England<\/a>, or the Department of Health and Social Care\u2019s (DHSC\u2019s)&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/department-of-health-areas-of-research-interest\/department-of-health-areas-of-research-interest\">Areas of Research Interest<\/a>&nbsp;(ARIs). By addressing the UK\u2019s strategic health priorities, your research topic&nbsp;will have maximum relevance and the potential for direct real-world impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\" style=\"background-color:#8dd2fc4d\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>What are evidence syntheses?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Evidence syntheses combine data from multiple sources, most commonly from existing research studies, to provide an overall summary of current knowledge:<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><em>Systematic reviews &#8211; aim to identify and formally evaluate all the studies addressing a clearly defined research question using methods that are set out in advance.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Rapid reviews &#8211; when an answer is needed quickly, researchers can use streamlined methods to produce a rapid review.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Scoping reviews or production of an evidence map &#8211; these can be carried out if we want to know what studies exist without looking in detail at their findings.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Statistical analysis &#8211; evidence syntheses may include a statistical analysis that combines individual study results &#8211; this is called a meta-analysis or a network meta-analysis when 3 or more comparisons are being made within a single analysis.<\/em><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><em>Decision analytic modelling &#8211; is a means of estimating the costs, outcomes and cost-effectiveness of different interventions and programmes.<\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">ELIGIBILITY<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Researchers can submit proposals on topics or research questions that require standalone evidence synthesis.\u00a0Proposals 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 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nihr.ac.uk\/research-funding\/application-support\/designing-your-research\/methodological-sub-studies-studies-within-trialreviewproject\">methodological sub-studies<\/a> and how to include them in your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Whatever the approach, you must clearly demonstrate your knowledge of the research topic and related current research as well as of evidence synthesis methods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">VALUE AND DURATION<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">No limit \u2013 projects should state timelines for project delivery that are proportionate to the type of evidence synthesis proposed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-light-green-cyan-background-color has-background wp-block-paragraph\">KEY DATES<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Deadline: 18 May 2026<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Expected decision date: September 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity is-style-dots\"\/>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">See <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nihr.ac.uk\/funding\/evidence-synthesis-programme-esp-researcher-led-evidence-synthesis\/2026361\">opportunity webpage<\/a> for more information on research specification and the application process. An application form template is also included below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Evidence-Synthesis-Programme-ESP_-Researcher-Led-\u2013-Evidence-Synthesis-_-NIHR.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of Evidence Synthesis Programme (ESP)_ Researcher-Led \u2013 Evidence Synthesis _ NIHR.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-b7fd7f77-94c5-42a6-af28-7245fef454f6\" href=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Evidence-Synthesis-Programme-ESP_-Researcher-Led-\u2013-Evidence-Synthesis-_-NIHR.pdf\">Evidence Synthesis Programme (ESP)_ Researcher-Led \u2013 Evidence Synthesis _ NIHR<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Evidence-Synthesis-Programme-ESP_-Researcher-Led-\u2013-Evidence-Synthesis-_-NIHR.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-b7fd7f77-94c5-42a6-af28-7245fef454f6\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div data-wp-interactive=\"core\/file\" class=\"wp-block-file\"><object data-wp-bind--hidden=\"!state.hasPdfPreview\" hidden class=\"wp-block-file__embed\" data=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/domestic-full-application-form-template.pdf\" type=\"application\/pdf\" style=\"width:100%;height:600px\" aria-label=\"Embed of domestic-full-application-form-template.\"><\/object><a id=\"wp-block-file--media-e0fc643a-b64f-4e72-ad80-ecc6a5b904fd\" href=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/domestic-full-application-form-template.pdf\">domestic-full-application-form-template<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/domestic-full-application-form-template.pdf\" class=\"wp-block-file__button wp-element-button\" download aria-describedby=\"wp-block-file--media-e0fc643a-b64f-4e72-ad80-ecc6a5b904fd\">Download<\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This funding stream invites applications for standalone evidence syntheses that address the UK\u2019s most pressing health and social care challenges. The scope of this funding<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2048","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-opportunities"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2048"}],"version-history":[{"count":10,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2061,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2048\/revisions\/2061"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2048"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2048"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/researchfunding.on.worc.ac.uk\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2048"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}