NIHR
Research Programme for Social Care
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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 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.
Details
| 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 |
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.
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.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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