NIHR
INSIGHT Competition
1:00 pm UK time; application guidance body text states 1 October 2026 at 1pm — possible discrepancy with overview field
Last updated:
The NIHR INSIGHT Competition funds regional research engagement activities and master's studentships for health and social care professionals in designated UK regions, awarding up to £2.65 million over four years (England) or £60,000 over three years (Wales). Lead applications must come from a regional higher education institution with a consortium of NHS bodies, local authorities, universities, and voluntary/community sector partners. This is a single-stage call, with successful projects starting 1 April 2027.
Details
| Funder | NIHR |
| Budget | £60,000 (Wales, 3 yrs) to ~£2,653,851 (England, 4 yrs) |
| Deadline | 8 October 2026 |
| Duration | 36 months (Wales) or 48 months (England), start date 1 April 2027 |
| Consortium | Required — lead HEI within the eligible region plus co-applicants from multiple organisations (NHS bodies, local authorities, VCSEs, HEIs, or other health/social care providers) within the region |
| Application | Single stage |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Open only to HEIs based in Wales, North West, North East and North Cumbria, or South East England. Lead must be a UK HEI within the region; collaborative application required with co-applicants from NHS bodies, local authorities, VCSEs, or other regional providers. England programmes fund engagement activities and research masters studentships for registered health/social care professionals (excl. doctors and dentists for masters); Wales funds engagement activities only.
Who Should Apply
- •UK higher education institutions in Wales, North West, North East and North Cumbria, or South East England as lead applicants
- •Consortia spanning NHS trusts, local authorities, community and voluntary sector organisations, and other health/social care providers in the eligible regions
- •Organisations seeking to build research capacity among registered health and social care professionals (nurses, allied health, mental health workers, social care staff)
- •Teams with experience running engagement activities and supporting professional development in research
Key Dates
- •Deadline: 8 October 2026 at 1:00 pm
- •Single-stage evaluation
- •Project duration: 36 months (Wales) or 48 months (England); start date 1 April 2027
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Build the consortium early: NIHR weights regional reach and partner commitment heavily. Letters of support from NHS partners and local authorities strengthen the application substantially.
- ✓Frame master's studentships as direct capacity-building for underrepresented professions; NIHR favours applications that target nurses, allied health, and social care staff over doctors or dentists.
- ✓Engagement activities must be costed and clearly linked to research career pathways; vague plans to 'promote research' will score poorly.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding can I get from the NIHR INSIGHT Competition?
Up to £2.65 million over four years for England programmes, or £60,000 over three years for the Wales engagement programme.
Who can lead an NIHR INSIGHT Competition application?
A higher education institution in Wales, North West, North East and North Cumbria, or South East England. The lead HEI must work with co-applicants from NHS trusts, local authorities, universities, and voluntary/community sector organisations in the region.
Can I use INSIGHT funding to support doctor training?
No. Master's studentships are available for registered health and social care professionals including nurses, allied health professionals, and mental health workers, but not doctors or dentists.
What is the deadline for INSIGHT?
8 October 2026 at 1:00 pm. This is a single-stage application; there is no pre-proposal stage.
When do successful INSIGHT projects start?
All successful projects start on 1 April 2027.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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