NIHR
Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme
Last updated:
No deadline is on file for this call. Check NIHR's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.
The NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme funds hypothesis-driven efficacy and mechanism evaluation studies requiring proof of concept in humans, delivered by UK-based research teams. The call is researcher-led and requires patient and public involvement in study co-design, along with compliance with UK MHRA regulations for clinical trials and engagement of an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit. This is a two-stage process with outline and full application rounds.
Details
| Funder | NIHR |
| Application | 2-stage: outline application → full application |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Researcher-led call funding efficacy and mechanism evaluation studies requiring proof of concept in humans. Must be hypothesis-driven; hypothesis-generating studies are ineligible. Requires patient/public involvement in study co-design. Clinical trials must comply with UK MHRA regulations and engage an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit. Host institution must be a UK organisation ('domestic' applications).
Who Should Apply
- •UK-based research teams at accredited institutions
- •Researchers designing hypothesis-driven efficacy and mechanism evaluation studies
- •Teams planning clinical trials compliant with UK MHRA regulations
- •Applicants committed to meaningful patient and public involvement in study design
- •Studies with clear proof-of-concept objectives in human subjects
Key Dates
- •Two-stage application: outline application followed by full application (verify dates on NIHR site)
- •Clinical trials must be registered and comply with UK MHRA requirements
- •Host institution must be a UK organisation
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Patient and public involvement is mandatory and scored, embed it in co-design from the proposal stage, not as an afterthought.
- ✓Clinical trials require upfront engagement with an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit; delays in trial design will slow your application.
- ✓Hypothesis-driven studies only: clearly state your a priori hypotheses and distinguish them from exploratory or mechanism-generating aims.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of studies does the NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation Programme fund?
Hypothesis-driven efficacy and mechanism evaluation studies requiring proof of concept in humans; hypothesis-generating studies are ineligible.
Do I need patient involvement for NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation applications?
Yes, patient and public involvement in study co-design is mandatory for all applications.
Can I run a clinical trial through this programme?
Yes, but clinical trials must comply with UK MHRA regulations and engage an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit.
Where can I host an NIHR Efficacy and Mechanism Evaluation study?
Host institutions must be UK-based organisations; overseas applicants are not eligible.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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