5. Issues About Funding

Advice About Funding

Do you need any advice concerning funding for your research project?

• Visit RDFunding for database of funding opportunities health and social care
• Contact RDDirectfor further advice on 0113 295 1122 or email them
• Contact your local R&D Department, your local RDSU or relevant research lead to discuss issues about funding
• To find our more about current research projects, and the funding they have received visit the National Research Register (NRR)
• Visit RDDirect for links to other database of research projects
• Most large funders require genuine user involvement in applications, so make sure you take this into account

Project Planning

You should have a plan containing

• a rationale
• a strategy (including objectives, timescales and milestones, and methodology) and
• an estimate of resources.

The plan should demonstrate that an assessment has been made of the key factors that will influence the success of the project in terms of achieving its objectives including:

• collection of an adequate amount of data or information
• its proper statistical analysis

NHS R&D costs

Youneed to consider the financial implications for the NHS of the research you are thinking about doing, and be clear when you apply for research funding what is and what is not a research cost. The document Attributing revenue costs of externally-funded non-commercial research in the NHS (ARCO) from the Department of Health clarifies this.

Sponsor costs

You must contact your sponsor before finalising your proposal and applying for funding to ensure any related costs are in included in the application.

Costings Checklist

Have you thoroughly assessed the potential costs of your research project? Allow sufficient time for the costings to be verified by the host institution finance office.

• Proposal preparation and costing checklist; provided by College of Science & Engineering, University of Edinburgh.
• General Costings Checklist, adapted from material provided by The University of Leeds Research Support Unit.

Salaries

Will you need to pay for any other assistance or do you have enough staff within your research project?

• Salaries in Public Health Medicine and Community Health
• Higher Education Salary Scales

Paying Consumers Involved in Research

There can be difficulties in paying users to be involved in your research, especially for those receiving state benefits.

• More guidance is published by INVOLVE

It is important to cost for the involvement of users in development and management of the study, as well as disseminating results to them after it has finished.