The RfPB programme supports high quality investigator-led research projects which have a clear trajectory into patient benefit. RfPB is a nationally co-ordinated funding stream for regionally commissioned research. there are ten regional commissioning panels with three competitions per year. Proposals that relate to health service challenges, regionally or locally, are welcome. Proposals which have emerged from interaction with patients and the public, which relate to patient and service user experience and which have been drawn up in association with a relevant group of service users are also particularly welcome.

Who it's for:
Applications must come from an NHS organisation, but it is expected that all applications will have appropriate academic input and a strong component of service user involvement.

Funding:
the funding available for an individual research project is up to £250k for up to 36 months.

Process:
There is now a one stage application process as the 'registration of intent to submit' is no longer needed. The ten regional funding committees meet three times a year. Applications receive preliminary scrutiny by a sub-committee, applications successful at this stage will be sent out to peer review, prior to being considered by th erelevant regional funding committee. 

Time-line:
There is usually around 6 months between submission deadline and outcome.

Criteria:
The scheme will fund applied research, which will take place in an NHS setting and have a clear focus on day-to-day practice within the NHS. Proposals are selected for funding on the basis of the quality of the research proposal and its relevance to the broader NHS.

Applications will be judged on the following criteria:

• A sound and appropriate research design
• A strong likelihood that tangible benefits for NHS patients and other users of health and social care services will be realisable in the short to medium term (within 3-5 years)
• A team with the right mix of skills and experience for the research question
• Evidence of relevance for a public or patient community

RfPB Website