# Research Programme for Social Care

**Funder:** NIHR
**Budget:** Up to £350,000
**Duration:** 24 months
**Consortium:** Optional — up to 15 co-applicants permitted across UK institutions
**Application:** 2-stage: outline application → full application (by invitation)
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/rpsc-commissioned-call-june-2026/2026436-2026437-2026438
**Last updated:** 23 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Social care research addressing demonstrable evidence gaps. Host institution must be a UK university, local authority/government, or NHS body in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland. Projects cannot start before 01 December 2027. Outline application does not require detailed budget or SoECAT; universities request 80% FEC.

## Summary

The NIHR Research Programme for Social Care funds research addressing evidence gaps in social care delivery and policy, up to £350,000 per project over 24 months. Host institutions must be UK universities, local authorities, or NHS bodies across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Consortia of up to 15 co-applicants across UK institutions are permitted.

## Who should apply

- Research teams at UK universities, NHS bodies, or local authorities
- Interdisciplinary researchers working on social care policy, delivery, or outcomes
- Applicants with consortia across multiple UK institutions (up to 15 co-applicants permitted)
- Teams addressing a clearly defined evidence gap in social care

## Key dates

- Outline application deadline (verify exact date on NIHR website)
- Two-stage: outline application → full application by invitation
- Projects start no earlier than 01 December 2027
- 24-month project duration

## Tips for applicants

- Focus the outline stage on the evidence gap and its scale; detailed budgets and SoECAT are reserved for the full application and will not be assessed at outline.
- Universities should budget to 80% FEC from the outset; this is the funder's default cost model and affects resource planning.
- Use the outline to signal consortium composition and institutional spread if applicable, the two-stage design allows panels to invite fuller detail once the research case is established.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the NIHR Research Programme for Social Care fund?

Up to £350,000 per project over 24 months.

### Who can be the host institution?

UK universities, NHS bodies, local authorities, or governments in England, Wales, Scotland, or Northern Ireland.

### Can I apply with a consortium?

Yes, consortia of up to 15 co-applicants across UK institutions are permitted, though collaboration is optional.

### What does the outline application need to include?

The outline application focuses on the research question and evidence gap; detailed budgets and SoECAT are not required at this stage and are requested only from applicants invited to the full stage.

### When can a project start?

Projects cannot start before 01 December 2027.

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/nihr-research-programme-for-social-care-2026) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.

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