The Department of Health established the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) to provide the framework for publicly funded health research in England.

The NIHR CCF was set up in 2006 to manage and administer research programmes funded by the NIHR and the Department of Health that investigate a range of healthcare matters and assist in how research-based knowledge is applied across all healthcare sectors. Its principal function is to operate an online application facility and peer review process to commission health research, underpinned by patient and public involvement.

The NIHR CCF is operated by a dedicated Programme Management team in the Science & Technology Division at LGC in Twickenham, Middlesex.

NIHR research programmes
We handle all calls for the following NIHR research programmes:
- i4i Invention for Innovation
- Programme Grants for Applied Research including Programme Development Grants
- Research for Innovation, Speculation and Creativity (RISC)
- Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB).

NIHR Faculty and Infrastructure
We issue calls and/or organise commissioning panels for the NIHR Faculty and Infrastructure on an ad hoc basis such as for:
- Senior Investigators (Faculty)
- Leadership Support and Development (Faculty)
- Biomedical Research Centres and Units (Infrastructure)
- Research Design Services (Infrastructure).

NIHR CCF senior staff list

Dr David King, Director
Dr Emily Gardner, Deputy Director (Operations)
Lucy Micheni, Deputy Director (Finance and Contracts)
Imelda Topping, Deputy Director (Communications)
Garry Jenner - Deputy Director (Information Systems)
Jean Cooper Moran – Patient and Public Involvement Manager

Assistant Directors
Dr Martin Anyim – NIHR Invention for Innovation (i4i) and NEAT Programme
Dr Angie Borzychowski – NIHR Research for Patient Benefit Programme
Rajinder Flora – NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research
Dr Howard Simons – NIHR RISC, Faculty and Infrastructure and DH Legacy

Contact NIHR CCF

LGC also operates the commissioning function for the Department of Health Policy Research Programme (PRP). Research is commissioned in public health and NHS policy, and in adult social care. Dr Joanne Martin is the Assistant Director for the DH Policy Research Programme.

Legacy DH programmes - we monitor the Forensic Mental Health and Genetics programmes (neither programme is commissioning new projects).