Calls to Establish a Mental Health and a Pain Research Hub

UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) has partnered with Versus Arthritis and Health Data Research UK to respectively finance a pain research hub and a mental health research hub.

In both cases, funding will be issued over three years to establish a hub, which will develop into an ongoing national resource that will be financially sustainable in the long-term. The hubs will not directly support original research, but will underpin original research by providing innovative new data assets for research in areas of need.

Lead applicants must be UK research organisations eligible for Medical Research Council (MRC) funding. This includes:

Higher education institutions.

Approved independent research organisations.

Approved NHS bodies.

Research council institutes.

It is expected that proposals will involve one or more multi-institutional collaborations across the UK. However, proposals must be submitted by a single lead organisation. Collaboration across sectors, including NHS organisations, academia, industry and other partners is strongly encouraged. International co-investigators may be included if they provide expertise that is not available in the UK.

At least one member of the partnership must have a demonstrable track record in acting as a data custodian with the ability to make data accessible for research, development and innovation taking place across academia, industry and the NHS. Additionally, applicants must display:

Appropriate scientific and clinical leadership.

A track record of using health data for public benefit.

The ability to process health data for research and innovation.

A commitment to patient and public involvement.

A total of £2 million has been allocated to develop each hub. Funding will be issued at 67% full Economic Cost (fEC) for the pain data research hub, and at 80% for the mental health data research hub.

Interested applicants should complete the mandatory Intention to Submit form by the 29 January 2021 (16:00 GMT) deadline.

Following this mandatory stage, full proposals should be submitted by the 25 February 2021 (16:00 GMT) deadline.

More information about this research funding opportunity and the application process is available on the RESEARCHconnect funding information platform. RESEARCHconnect provides up-to-the minute content, insight and analysis on research funding news and policy. To find out more about how RESEARCHconnect can keep you in the know, and subscription fees, contact us today.