NIHR
HTA Researcher-Led Primary Research
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 Health Technology Assessment Programme funds researcher-led primary research evaluating NHS and social care technologies through rigorously framed research questions (PICO format). Applicants must be UK-based and lead multidisciplinary teams; clinical trial studies require partnership with an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit. This call prioritises evidence generation to support clinical decision-making in real NHS settings.
Details
| Funder | NIHR |
| Application | 2-stage: outline application → full application |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Funds primary research assessing health technologies for NHS/social care populations using PICO-framed questions; cost-effectiveness analysis expected. Applicants must be UK-based with multidisciplinary teams. Clinical trials must engage an accredited UKCRC CTU. Evidence the intervention is ready for HTA evaluation is required at application.
Who Should Apply
- •UK-based researchers leading multidisciplinary teams
- •Clinicians and academic researchers with NHS or social care technology evaluation expertise
- •Groups planning primary research with clear PICO-framed research questions
- •Clinical trial applicants with access to an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit
Key Dates
- •Two-stage application: outline application followed by full application
- •Studies involving clinical trials require UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit partnership
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Frame your research question tightly in PICO terms (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome), HTA panels expect this format and vague framing scores poorly.
- ✓Multidisciplinary team composition is assessed at both stages; include named collaborators with clinical credibility and health economics expertise if budget-relevant.
- ✓If you plan a clinical trial, confirm UKCRC accreditation status of your partnering unit early, missing this gate-keeps the full application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as a health technology in the NIHR HTA Programme?
Any intervention used in NHS or social care settings: devices, medicines, procedures, diagnostics, digital tools, or service models that you plan to evaluate through primary research.
Is the NIHR HTA call limited to clinical trials?
No; the call funds primary research using any rigorous design framed in PICO terms, though clinical trials must partner with an accredited UKCRC Clinical Trials Unit.
Can I apply to NIHR HTA if I am based outside the UK?
No; applicants must be UK-based to lead the research team, though co-investigators may be international.
What does PICO mean in the HTA application?
Population, Intervention, Comparison, and Outcome, a structured framework for defining your research question that HTA funders expect all applicants to use.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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