NIHR
Target Trial Emulation Utilising Routine Data to Answer Key Health and Care Questions
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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.
This NIHR HTA Programme call funds target trial emulation studies using routine data to answer practical NHS and social care questions. Applicants must propose a PICO-structured research question comparing a health technology against a comparator in NHS or social care populations, with UK-based multidisciplinary teams including a health economist and statistician. This is a commissioned, one-off call designed to generate evidence for NHS policy and practice.
Details
| Funder | NIHR |
| Application | 2-stage: outline application → full proposal |
| Frequency | One-off |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
NIHR HTA Programme commissioned call for target trial emulation studies using routine/administrative data to answer NHS or social care questions. Applicants must be UK-based; teams must be multidisciplinary (clinical, health economics, statistics, PPI). Research framed in PICO terms; cost-effectiveness analysis encouraged. Systematic reviews must be registered in PROSPERO.
Who Should Apply
- •UK-based research teams with a health economist and statistician
- •Researchers with access to routine data sources relevant to NHS or social care delivery
- •Multidisciplinary groups experienced in observational methods or trial methodology
- •Teams able to frame research questions in PICO format addressing NHS technology adoption or practice questions
Key Dates
- •Two-stage: outline application followed by full proposal submission
- •Project funded through NIHR HTA Programme (one-off commissioned call)
Tips for Applicants
- ✓PICO structure is mandatory, frame your research question with explicit population, intervention, comparator, and outcome from the start.
- ✓Team composition is gating: health economist and statistician must be named and active; consider CTU co-investigator involvement if triallists are leading.
- ✓HTA Programme prioritises questions clinicians and commissioners actively need answered; anchor your proposal to an identifiable NHS or care-system decision point.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is target trial emulation and why does NIHR fund it?
Target trial emulation uses routine data to design and analyse observational studies as if they were randomised trials, answering pragmatic health-system questions where RCTs are impractical. NIHR funds it to generate timely evidence on technology use and practice in NHS and social care.
Who must be on a UK team for this call?
A multidisciplinary team is required, including a named health economist and statistician; clinical leadership and CTU engagement are advised for trials-related questions.
Do I need access to routine data before I apply?
Yes, you must have a clear plan to access the routine data sources needed to conduct your target trial emulation.
Is this a recurring call?
No, this is a one-off commissioned call from the NIHR HTA Programme.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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