NIHR Global Health Research – Researcher-Led Bands 1 to 3

Support to promote local health priorities and health equity to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable people in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Funding is awarded through three bands for established research partnerships (Band 1), developing research partnerships (Band 2) and new research partnerships (Band 3).

Established in 2006 and primarily funded by the Department of Health and Social Care, the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funds health and care research in the UK.

NIHR’s Global Health Research – Researcher-Led Bands 1 to 3 is a new annual initiative to support research that aims to improve health outcomes for the most vulnerable people in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Research must address evidence needs that are locally identified and prioritised, and must promote health equity, aligning with the aims of Sustainable Development Goal 3. Applications can span from broad, ambitious programmes of research to projects with a narrower scope. It replaces the previously run GHR Units and Groups Programmes.

Applications will be accepted in any field of applied global health research, as long as the research benefits people living in one or more country/ies on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (DAC) list of Official Development Assistance (ODA)-eligible countries. To be eligible, the application must demonstrate how it meets ODA compliance criteria. Applicants must specify:

• Which country/countries on the list of ODA-eligible countries will directly benefit.
• How the application is relevant to the development challenges of those countries.
• How the outcomes will promote the health and welfare of people in such countries.

Research will be commissioned through three bands of funding based on the scale and ambition of the proposed research, the maturity of partnerships, the teams’ experience and expected capacity strengthening plans. The bands are as follows:

• Band 1 – This is for more established research partnerships and experienced teams, and is suitable for teams proposing a broad, ambitious programme of research and capacity strengthening. Where research is being undertaken by an existing partnership, it is expected that the proposed research will be a significant extension of their previous research. The research will be delivered through linked work packages, typically across multiple country contexts. Funded programmes are expected to lead to significant impact on health outcomes, policy and practice, and strengthen research capacity.
• Band 2 – This band is for developing or less mature research partnerships with varying levels of experience proposing to undertake a significant new programme of research, extend existing research and capacity strengthening, and/or include more LMIC settings. The scope and complexity of these programmes can include multiple linked components. Alternatively, they can comprehensively address a single research theme. Funded programmes will lead to lasting impact on health outcomes, policy and practice, and strengthen research capacity.
• Band 3 – This is for new research partnerships and/or less experienced teams. This band is suitable for teams proposing a research project that is at an early or developmental stage. It may be delivered in a single country context. Funded projects will have a narrower scope than band 1 and 2 programmes. Proportionate to the amount of funds requested, the project can range from a single to a combination of studies. Projects should offer opportunities for early to mid-career researchers to develop leadership skills and progress their own research ideas. Funded projects will have clear outcomes and defined pathways to impact on health outcomes, policy and practice.

Across all three bands, the scope, complexity and ambition of the proposal should be proportionate to the amount of funding being requested. Applicants with any level of experience are eligible to apply for a band 3 award where this is appropriate to the research plans. However, where less experienced researchers apply for bands 1, 2 and 3 funding, the application should show appropriate mentoring and support is in place. Mentoring for a less experienced lead researcher cannot be solely from a more experienced co-lead. Each band enables candidates to develop their leadership skills and those of the team.