Writing research and grant applications – from idea to submission

1. Writing research and grant applications – from idea to submission Dan Hawcutt & Jenny Bellis Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust Liverpool

2. Session Overview • Why are you doing this research? • What is already known? • Setting the scene • Developing a research question • Selection of methodology • Protocol development • The research team • Patient and public involvement • Sources of funding

3. Example funding application outline Items covered in this session

4. From research idea to research proposal……… Joint Research Office Clinicians Academic Partners Accountants NHS Trust R&D Office Research Funder My Boss! NHS Trust Exec Pharma Methodologists Public, patients & parents

5. Why are you doing this research? For my CV Publications To answer this question, once and for all! To find ways to improve outcomes for patients To progress my academic career It’s in my job description! I’m doing a research degree To gather evidence for how we do things/want to do things

6. What is already known? • Conduct a thorough literature review • Ask your librarian for help • ?? Undergraduate/pre-reg/diploma/summer student project • Identify ongoing work • Published protocols • Professional networks • UK Clinical Network Research Portfolio

7. Setting the scene • Present a clear research question • Describe the scale of the problem • Ensure the evidence gap is clearly described • (use Cochrane Reviews/Systematic Reviews where possible) • Construct a health economic case • Make sure it fits with the funder • Does it fit the guidance or brief? • Are there clearly defined outputs? • Value for money? • Check previous awards from funding body

8. Developing a research question • Foundation for everything else • What are the aims and objectives? • Population • Intervention • Comparator • Outcome(s)

9. Selection of Methodology

10. Protocol Development • Reporting guidelines are a useful template for protocol writing – bring in collaborators as soon as possible to help you write this • RCT http://www.consort-statement.org/ • Observational http://www.strobe-statement.org/ • Evidence synthesis http://prisma-statement.org/

11. Protocol Development – e.g. RCT • Checklist from; http://www.consort-statement.org/

12. The Research Team • Match the team to the requirements of the study • Track record of the team(s) • Institutional credibility (clinical/academic) • Don’t be parochial • Be very clear what each individual or partner brings to the proposal • Think about costs

13. Patient & Public Involvement • Not optional! • Be creative • Ask for help from experts • http://www.rds-yh.nihr.ac.uk/ppi/involve-guidance/

14. Sources of Funding • Local funds (e.g. hospital charity, personal awards) • National Charities • NIHR • http://www.nihr.ac.uk/funding/research_programmes.htm • Pharmacy Research UK / UKCPA • http://www.pharmacyresearchuk.org/pharmacy-research-funding/fund-research/ • Health Foundation • http://www.health.org.uk/funding-and-fellowship-opportunities • NPPG • Website / email announcement • SBRI Healthcare • http://www.sbrihealthcare.co.uk/competitions/