# Early Surgical Intervention Compared with Standard Care for Neonates with Symptoms of Necrotising Enterocolitis (NEC)

**Funder:** NIHR
**Application:** 2-stage: outline application → full application
**Frequency:** One-off
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/early-surgical-intervention-compared-standard-care-neonates-symptoms-necrotising-enterocolitis-nec/2026476
**Last updated:** 16 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

NIHR HTA Programme commissioned call evaluating early surgical intervention vs standard care for neonates with NEC symptoms. UK-based applicants required; multidisciplinary team (including health economist and statistician) expected. Clinical trial applications must engage a UKCRC-accredited CTU. Full economic evaluation and inclusive research design required.

## Summary

This NIHR-commissioned Health Technology Assessment call funds research comparing early surgical intervention with standard care in neonates presenting with symptoms of necrotising enterocolitis (NEC). Eligible applicants must be UK-based and lead a multidisciplinary team including clinicians, health economists, statisticians, and patient/public involvement representatives. The call prioritises cost-effectiveness analysis, longer-term follow-up data, and (for trials) Clinical Trials Unit involvement.

## Who should apply

- UK-based lead applicant with neonatal or paediatric surgery expertise
- Multidisciplinary teams combining clinical, health economics, and statistical capability
- Researchers with access to NHS settings and patient/public involvement networks
- Trial applicants must secure Clinical Trials Unit partnership prior to submission

## Key dates

- Two-stage application: outline stage followed by full application (verify full deadline on NIHR HTA portal)
- One-off commissioned call

## Tips for applicants

- Frame your research question using PICO structure (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome), the panel expects this format explicitly.
- Cost-effectiveness analysis and longer-term follow-up (beyond acute episode) are looked upon favourably; design them into your protocol from the start.
- If your proposal includes a trial, confirm Clinical Trials Unit capacity and letter of support before outline submission, this is a gating criterion for full stage progression.

## Frequently asked questions

### What research question should I address in this NIHR HTA call on NEC?

You must compare early surgical intervention with standard care in neonates with NEC symptoms, framed using PICO structure and set in NHS settings.

### Who should be on my application team?

A multidisciplinary team is expected, including clinicians, health economists, statisticians, and patient/public involvement representatives; trials additionally require Clinical Trials Unit involvement.

### Is cost-effectiveness analysis mandatory?

No, but cost-effectiveness analysis and longer-term follow-up data are encouraged and will be viewed positively in peer review.

### Do I have to be based in the UK to apply?

Yes, the lead applicant must be UK-based and the research must be delivered in NHS settings.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/nihr-early-surgical-intervention-compared-with-standard-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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