# RPSC Commissioned Call

**Funder:** NIHR
**Budget:** Up to £350k (ECR stream: up to £300k)
**Duration:** 24 months
**Consortium:** Optional — up to 15 co-applicants from UK universities, NHS bodies, or local authorities
**Application:** 2-stage: outline application → full proposal
**Eligible countries:** GB
**Official call:** https://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/rpsc-commissioned-call-june-2026/2026436-2026437-2026438
**Last updated:** 30 Aug 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Open to UK universities, NHS bodies, and local authorities across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Funds social care research with clear pathway to benefit for care users and carers. Universities funded at 80% FEC; other organisations at 100%. ECR stream (PhD ≤5 years or no prior CI grant >£100k) up to £300k.

## Summary

The NIHR Rapid Research for Social Care Programme funds social care research with a clear pathway to benefit for care users and carers, offering up to £350,000 over 24 months across the UK. The call is open to UK universities, NHS bodies, and local authorities, with an optional consortium model allowing up to 15 co-applicants. An ECR stream is available for researchers within 5 years of PhD or with no prior grant lead >£100k, with a cap of up to £300,000.

## Who should apply

- Researchers at UK universities, NHS bodies, or local authorities across all four nations
- Early-career researchers within 5 years of PhD or without prior lead grants >£100k (ECR stream)
- Interdisciplinary teams working on social care challenges with demonstrable user and carer involvement
- Projects with a clear implementation pathway to practice change

## Key dates

- Outline application deadline (see NIHR website for exact date)
- Two-stage process: outline application, then full proposal invitation
- Projects commence 01 December 2027 at earliest; 24-month duration

## Tips for applicants

- Spell out the care-user and carer benefit from the outset, panels prioritise implementation readiness over novelty.
- Consortium membership is optional but strengthens applications pairing academic partners with NHS and local authority delivery sites.
- ECR applicants should frame independence clearly: show how the project moves beyond your PhD or prior postdoctoral work.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much can I request for an NIHR Rapid Research for Social Care grant?

Up to £350,000 over 24 months; ECR applicants can request up to £300,000.

### Who is eligible for the NIHR Rapid Research for Social Care Programme?

UK universities, NHS bodies, and local authorities across England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland; ECR stream open to researchers within 5 years of PhD or without prior CI grants exceeding £100k.

### Can I apply as a consortium?

Yes, consortia are optional and can include up to 15 co-applicants from eligible UK organisations.

### When must my project start?

No earlier than 01 December 2027.

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

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