Helping us to help you

You can expect to gain access to a professional service in a timely manner. You may approach the NIHR RDS East Midlands at any stage of development of a research proposal: from simply wanting to discuss an initial idea through to requesting input on a specific issue relating to a well-developed proposal. You are welcome to request support via our website, telephone, email, post or in person.

You can expect the following from the RDS-EM:

• Professional advice about aspects of developing a grant application and practical support for such development, free of charge. Advice will be given on all projects that have potential to achieve funding and advice will be provided up until submission of the application.
• Face-to-face meetings at a mutually convenient time and venue and/or other forms of communication as appropriate.
• Support in co-ordinating the process of proposal development, as required.
• Support in drafting relevant sections of proposals, as required.
• Support in identifying and approaching other potential lay and professional collaborators, as required.
• Support in identifying a suitable NIHR funding stream and advising on the application processes. If not eligible for NIHR funding we would try to provide advice on other potential funding bodies depending on local knowledge.
• Support for obtaining appropriate user and carer involvement in project development.
• All discussions regarding proposals will be treated with appropriate confidentiality.

The RDS-EM expects that you will:

• Approach us in a timely manner.
• Discuss your proposal with all of your research team before submitting it to us to review.
• Fully consider our carefully proffered advice.
• Ensure appropriate input from health and social care professionals, patients and the public.
• Discuss the possibility of NIHR RDS staff becoming grant co-applicants if their contribution is appropriate
• Include appropriate costs (as calculated by RDS staff) in the research proposal to cover any agreed contributions from NIHR RDS staff in your project should the bid be successful.
• Complete any section in a grant application about NIHR RDS involvement and support.
• Provide the NIHR RDS with a copy of any completed, submitted application in which NIHR RDS support has been involved.

RDS-EM employs highly experienced Public Health, Health Services and Social Care researchers.

The advice and guidance we provide is aimed at increasing the quality of your funding application.

All documents submitted to funding bodies remain the responsibility of the applicants.