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NIHR Central
Commissioning Facility (CCF)
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FAQ
What is the NIHR?
What role does NIHR CCF play within the NIHR?
Where is NIHR CCF based and why?
How secure is the database and web server used by NIHR CCF?
Can confidentiality be assured after I submit my application?
How often are calls issued by NIHR CCF?
I've got an idea for a project. How can I check which NIHR programme it fits to best?
Do I need to involve public in my research?
How do I involve the public in my research – or get involved in research?
What is FEC or Full Economic Cost?
Does research funded by NIHR have to comply with the Department of Health Research Governance Framework?
How do I apply for ethical approval?
I have a good collaborative project with an industrial partner, which programme can we apply to for funding?
How does the NIHR CCF relate to other NIHR commissioning programmes?
What is the NIHR?
NIHR – the National Institute for Health Research - was created in April 2006 to establish the NHS as an internationally recognised centre of research excellence through supporting outstanding individuals, working in world-class facilities, conducting leading-edge research focused on the needs of patients and the public.
What role does NIHR CCF play within the NIHR?
The NIHR Central Commissioning Facility (CCF) was also set up in 2006 to manage and administer several NIHR research funding programmes (Programme Grants for Applied Research, i4i, RfPB and RISC) as well as other calls and commissioning panels under the NIHR Faculty and Infrastructure workstrands. The commissioning function for the Department of Health Policy Research Programme is also managed by NIHR CCF.
Legacy programmes: We also manage programme monitoring for the DH funded Forensic Mental Health and Genetics programmes (neither programme is commissioning new projects).
Where is NIHR CCF based and why?
The NIHR CCF is based at LGC in Twickenham, Middlesex. The contract to run the NIHR CCF was put out to competitive tender, with LGC submitting the successful bid.
How secure is the database and web server used by NIHR CCF?
The website consists of an extranet for submission of applications. This extranet uses secure socket layer encryption and is certified.
Can confidentiality be assured after I submit my application?
Yes. All applications are treated in the strictest of confidence. Your application will not be seen by any third party that has not submitted a completed confidentiality agreement.
How often are calls issued by NIHR CCF?
We commission research for a number of NIHR research programmes and the Department of Health’s Policy Research Programme. The method of commissioning and the associated processes vary between programmes. Please see the calls for proposals link for further information on each programme and the timetable of calls.
I've got an idea for a project. How can I check which NIHR programme it fits to best?
The scope for each of the programmes and the guidance notes can be downloaded from the Guidance Documents area. Should you require any additional advice on the suitability of your application please contact the NIHR CCF main reception on 020 8843 8000 or submit a question to the email helpline: info@nihr-ccf.org.uk.
Do I need to involve public in my research?
The Department of Health believes that engaging patients and members of the public in research leads to treatments that meet their needs, is more reliable and more likely to be put into practice. One of the important criteria for assessing NIHR research proposals is the way the research team has involved - and plans to involve - patients and/or the public. Patient and public involvement (PPI) means that people are active partners in the research process by, for example, advising on a research project, assisting in the project design, or in carrying out the research, rather than being the 'subjects' of research. This covers:
- Setting research priorities
- Helping to decide what the research is setting out to achieve
- Choosing the methods used to carry out the research
- Recruiting people into research studies
- Understanding what the research findings mean for patients and how it can be applied in the health service
- Publicising the results
How do I involve the public in my research – or get involved in research?
For more information about Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) please visit NIHR CCF’s PPI pages
What is FEC or Full Economic Cost?
The Department of Health supports the Government's desire to move the UK's research base to a long-term sustainable footing. Funding bodies supporting the full economic cost of projects should provide this sustainability. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) should determine the Full Economic Cost (FEC) of their research using the Transparent Approach to Costing (TRAC) methodology.
Universities and HEIs should outline the full economic cost of undertaking the research. For universities and HEIs, 80% of FECs will be paid, provided that TRAC methodology has been used.
For NHS organisations, 100% of directly incurred costs and the directly allocated costs not including the estate charges will be paid. An additional 10% of salary may be charged to provide for the project overhead (institutional overhead may not be included).
Does research funded by NIHR have to comply with the Department of Health Research Governance Framework?
Yes. All research funded by the NIHR must comply with the Department of Health Research Governance Framework. The 2nd edition of the Research Governance Framework for Health and Social Care (RGFHSC) sets out the broad principle of good research governance. All research commissioned by NIHR must have appropriate ethical (see next question) or Home Office approval.
How do I apply for ethical approval?
The National Research Ethics Service (NRES) was launched on 1 April 2007. NRES comprises the former Central Office for Research Ethics Committees (COREC) and Research Ethics Committees (RECs) in England. The standard NRES Application Form is web-based and can be found at: http://www.nresform.org.uk/ IRAS (Integrated Research Application System) is replacing the NRES Application Form, IRAS can be accessed at http://www.myresearchproject.org.uk/.
I have a good collaborative project with an industrial partner, which programme can we apply to for funding? Currently, the only NIHR programme which provides funding for projects which include an industrial partner is the Invention for Innovation (i4i) Programme, which also incorporates the Health Technology Devices Programme (see link in item below).
How does the NIHR CCF relate to other NIHR commissioning programmes?
A number of the NIHR research programmes are not administered by the NIHR Central Commissioning Facility including:
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