NIHR
Use of Synthetic Data in Health and Social Care Research
September 2026 (exact date not specified on page)
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 and MRC joint call funds novel methodology research on synthetic data generation in health and social care, with budgets up to £625,000 FEC (NIHR/MRC fund 80%). The call targets UK-based researchers tackling privacy-utility trade-offs, regulatory frameworks, complex longitudinal data structures, and rare disease applications. Public and patient involvement is mandatory throughout the project.
Details
| Funder | NIHR |
| Budget | Up to £625k (100% FEC); NIHR/MRC fund up to 80% FEC |
| Eligible countries | GB |
Eligibility & scope
Joint NIHR/MRC call (Better Methods, Better Research programme) for methodological research on synthetic health/social care data: privacy-fidelity trade-offs, regulatory frameworks, complex data structures (time-series, longitudinal, mixed types), rare diseases, and health economics. Public and patient involvement required throughout. NIHR/MRC fund up to 80% FEC.
Who Should Apply
- •UK researchers with expertise in synthetic data generation, statistics, or health informatics
- •Teams with demonstrable public and patient involvement infrastructure or committed partners
- •Projects addressing privacy-preserving data release, regulatory compliance, or complex longitudinal structures
- •Applicants hosted at NHS, university, or other eligible UK research institutions
Key Dates
- •Deadline: September 2026 (verify exact date on NIHR/MRC website)
- •Project funding covers up to £625,000 FEC with NIHR/MRC providing 80% of costs
- •Public and patient involvement required in application and execution
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Public and patient involvement is a gating criterion, not an afterthought, embed it in your research design and budget from the outset.
- ✓Frame your work around a concrete regulatory or clinical barrier to data access; methodological novelty alone scores weaker than methodology solving a real-world problem.
- ✓If your project touches rare diseases or sensitive populations, highlight how synthetic data generation improves access relative to current practice.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding is available through the NIHR/MRC synthetic data call?
Up to £625,000 FEC per project; NIHR and MRC fund 80% of eligible costs, with applicants or host institutions responsible for the remaining 20%.
Is public and patient involvement required for this call?
Yes, public and patient involvement is mandatory throughout the project and must be detailed in the application and budget.
Who is eligible to apply to the NIHR/MRC synthetic data research call?
UK-based researchers and teams hosted at eligible institutions including NHS organisations, universities, and other recognised research bodies.
What topics does the NIHR/MRC synthetic data call cover?
Priority areas include privacy-utility trade-offs, regulatory frameworks for data release, complex and longitudinal data structures, and applications to rare disease research.
When is the deadline for the NIHR/MRC synthetic data call?
The deadline is September 2026; check the NIHR and MRC websites for the exact closing date.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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