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Funding for research in Scotland - a CSO view. Peter Craig Scottish Infection Research Network, 10 February 2010. Outline. CSO Strategy Our place in the funding landscape CSO application process What we look for in a good application. CSO Strategy, 2010-14. Ambition.
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Funding for research in Scotland - a CSO view Peter Craig Scottish Infection Research Network, 10 February 2010
Outline • CSO Strategy • Our place in the funding landscape • CSO application process • What we look for in a good application
Ambition • To place Scotland at the international forefront of clinical translational research and the development of systems medicine
Four aims • Securing benefit • Improving population health • Investing in NHS research • Building and sustaining skills
Securing benefit • Support for translational research leading to patient or population benefit
Securing benefit • Support for translational research leading to patient or population benefit • Refocusing project grant funding • Experimental and Translational Medicine • Health Services and Population Health • Targeted calls for small translational grants • Healthcare improvement science • Contribute to NIHR HTA and HSR programmes
Improving population health • Strengthen the evidence base for improving health in Scotland • CSO grants for early phase development and testing of interventions • Contribute to NIHR PHR Programme, NPRI, etc., for large scale intervention studies • Strengthen infrastructure for record linkage and streamline governance processes
Investing in NHS research • To create an efficient and effective national portal through which clinical trials may be negotiated, costed and progressed on a Scotland-wide basis. • To strengthen the system of co-ordinated R&D management approval for multicentre studies • To implement efficient and equitable funding formulae that link resources to activity.
Building and sustaining skills • Clinical research networks • Core-funded research units • Collaborative ventures, e.g. SCPHRP • Build capacity for research on management, organisations, services and systems responsible for healthcare delivery in Scotland • Personal awards
Our place in the funding landscape • Translational rather than basic research • Investing in research capacity and research infrastructure • Supporting early phase development, piloting and testing of interventions • Collaborating with other UK funders to support large-scale intervention studies
Full grants Outline application Resubmit outline Referee reports Resubmit application Full application Referee reports Funding committee Reject Fund
Small grants Full application Referee reports Applicants CSO RMs Reject Fund
Approach • Get to know your funder • Respond constructively to referees, etc • Work as a team • Pay attention to detail
What do we look for in a good grant application? • Introduction • Concise, systematic review of the evidence • Pilot studies • Handle with care • Aims and research questions • How many? • Original, answerable, relevant • Appropriate to research phase
What do we look for in a good grant application? • Methods • Fit for purpose • Use guidelines where possible • CONSORT, STROBE, TREND, etc. (www.equator-network.org/home/) • MRC – complex interventions (www.mrc.ac.uk/complexinterventionsguidance) • Resources • Timetable • Expertise available • Justification of requirements • What is ‘value for money’? • Reporting, dissemination, implementation • Range of outputs • Realistic expectations
Common pitfalls • Inappropriate objectives • Too many research questions • Over-complication • Sample size determination • Recruitment, attrition, exclusion criteria • Inadequately developed interventions • Keys skills (stats, economics, etc.) missing
Some general rules Applications should • Address a worthwhile question • Use appropriate methods • Fit the funder’s remit • Be able to deliver with the resources requested • Be well-written, clear and convincing
Further information • Chief Scientist Office • www.cso.scot.nhs.uk • For advice on grant applications • Hilary Lapsley (Health services, health improvement science, mental health): 0131 244 2254 • Peter Craig (Public health, screening, health informatics): 0131 244 2077 • Alan McNair (Experimental and translational medicine): 0131 244 2255 (from March 2010) • Elaine Moir (Personal awards) 0131 244 2215 • Email: forename.surname@scotland.gsi.gov.uk