Community, Event, Funding, Newsletter

Weekly roundup 1/12/23: events, funding, & opportunities in mental health research

Welcome to your weekly roundup of funding, events, and webinars we’ve shared with our followers over on the Mental Health Research Incubator Twitter. Here's what's coming up on the horizon for mental health research:

Weekly roundup 1/12/23: events, funding, & opportunities in mental health research
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DECEMBER

6 December

Mental Health Research Development Award

Opportunity: Research Funding - This award is designed to support higher education institutions (HEI) to carry out targeted preparatory work to develop a competitive Mental Health Research Group (MHRG) application - up to £150,000, up to 12 months

Who's it for: Development Awards are aimed at HEIs that have some pre-existing applied mental health research capacity (in the sense that they feel they have a team which could apply for an MHRG) but are not currently in a position to apply for a MHRG in Round 1.

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: HEI's with limited or no mental health research capacity who wish to expand

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 Wednesday 6 December. Webinar on October 10th

NIHR Research Professorships

Opportunity: Research Funding - A 5 year award to fund research leaders of the future to promote effective translation of research and strengthen health, public health and care research leadership at the highest academic levels, including funds for 3 support posts, research costs and a development and leadership programme.

Who's it for: Candidates must demonstrate they are on a steep career trajectory over the last 5-10 years and are on course to becoming an outstanding research leader.

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: members of HEI's, the NHS or any other health, public health or care body in England

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 Wednesday 6 December.

Changing Policy and Practice Award

Opportunity: Research Dissemination Funding -The aim of this award is to support the dissemination of medical research beyond the scientific peer reviewed press, with the aim of influencing healthcare and behaviour. Applicants can apply for up to £30,000 of flexible funding, usually spread over a year.

Who's it for: Researchers whose findings have the potential to inform and influence healthcare policy or practice, improve patient care, or to change patient and public behaviour and opinion.

Organiser: Medical Research Foundation

Eligibility: MRC and Foundation-funded grant and fellowship holders based at eligible institutions with a PhD, MD or DPhil.

Deadline: Expressions of interest by 13:00 Wednesday 6 December.

7 December

NIHR Doctoral Local Authority Fellowship (DLAF) scheme Round 2 

Opportunity: PhD Funding for local authority employees  - The NIHR Doctoral Local Authority Fellowship (DLAF) scheme supports individuals based within local authorities and supporting services to undertake fully funded PhDs. These fully funded doctoral fellowships allow awardees to retain their existing employment contracts and salaries, whilst protecting their time to undertake a research doctorate, academic training, professional development and some appropriate continued practice.

Who's it for: Individuals based within local authorities and supporting services - support is required from an English local authority and an English university, and must plan to hold a contract of employment with one of these organisations for the hours and duration of the fellowship.

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: Local authority employees looking for undertake a PhD during a sabbatical from current role.

Deadline: Apply by 7 December.

12 December

23/86 Reducing health inequalities related to ethnicity by influencing the wider determinants of health

Opportunity: Research Funding - To address the question: For people from ethnic minority backgrounds in the UK, what is the impact on health inequalities of interventions that influence the wider determinants of health?

Who's it for: Researchers who propose to evaluate interventions that have the potential to impact health inequalities

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Eligibility: Researchers looking to address the wider determinants of health for ethnic minorities in the UK

Deadline: Tuesday 12 December, 13:00. Webinar on October 17th 11:15 - 12:30hrs

23/82 Suicide prevention in high risk groups

Opportunity: Research Funding - For research addressing the question: Which interventions, aimed at people at high risk of suicide or suicide attempts, are effective in reducing the rate of suicide and suicide attempts?

Who's it for: Researchers looking at which interventions aimed at groups at high risk of suicide and suicide attempts are effective in contributing to the reduction of suicide attempts and suicide

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Eligibility: Researchers studying interventions for groups with high risk of suicide

Deadline: Tuesday 12 December, 13:00. Webinar on October 17th 11:15 - 12:30hrs

23/83 Workforce health

Opportunity: Research Funding - For research addressing the question: What are the most effective interventions that organisations can adopt to improve the physical and mental health of the UK workforce?

Who's it for: Researchers addressing: (i) on extended working lives, and (ii) on the mental wellbeing of workers in Small & Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), the gig economy and specific occupations.

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Eligibility: Researchers studying interventions for organisations to improve workforce physical and mental health

Deadline: Tuesday 12 December, 13:00. Webinar on October 17th 11:15 - 12:30hrs

14 December

23/142 HSDR National Evaluation Teams 2023

Opportunity: Research Funding - fund up to 3 national evaluation teams, ready and prepared to conduct, at short notice, substantive, in-depth assessments of large-scale service changes. Each team will have a contract of up to £3m over 5 years.

Who's it for: High-quality research team(s), with experience and a track-record in mixed-method evaluation, to be ready and prepared to conduct, at short notice, substantive, in-depth and timely 'alongside evaluations' of large-scale service changes

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Eligibility: Researcher teams with the skills, expertise and experience to deliver the project.

Deadline: EOI Thursday 14 December, 13:00.

15 December

Early Career Researchers Funding

Opportunity: Funding for career development support - funding for up to 8 ECRs to support networking activities, conference attendance, cross-training activities (e.g., ECR working in mental health training to develop their skills in circadian biology), mentoring visits (supporting ECR visits to their mentors’ labs to learn and develop new skills), and public engagement activities.

Who's it for: Early Career Researchers (ECRs) at any ECR career stage

Organiser: Circadian Mental Health Network

Eligibility: ECRs working at the intersection of mental health, sleep and circadian science.

Deadline:  Friday 15 December

Mental Health Researcher Taster Days for FY2 Medics

Opportunity: Research experience  - Placement in a relevant research area and location for medical students to get a hands-on taste of what working in mental health research might be like.

Who's it for: FY2 Medics who have an interest in mental health research, or who want to experience research as a career option

Organiser: NIHR Mental Health Missions

Eligibility: FY2 medics in any of the devolved countries. Apply here

Deadline:  Friday 15 December, 1700

18 December

North East together small grants programme 2023

Opportunity: Small grant funding  - funding for mental health user-led groups and projects in the North East. Funding is up to £500

Who's it for: Peer support, mutual aid and/or self help groups or groups doing campaigning and activism, working on projects based in the North East

Organiser: NSUN

Eligibility: Registered as a North East together member.

Deadline:  Monday 18 December

20 December

PhD Programme for Primary Care Clinicians

Opportunity: Funding for PhD - Up to 5 PhD studentships will be awarded annually to clinicians of all disciplines working in UK primary care. These studentships can be hosted at one of the 10 primary care research departments who are part of this consortium.

Who's it for: practice nurses; health visitors; dentists, primary care pharmacists; optometrists working in primary care and general practitioners.

Organiser: NIHR SPCR

Eligibility: Clinicians working in UK primary care

Deadline:  Wednesday 20December

29 December

Public Health Research Programme Rapid Funding Scheme

Opportunity: Research Funding - Funding specifically to conduct rapid baseline data collection, as well as other feasibility work, prior to intervention implementation, for unique, time-limited opportunities such as a natural experiment or similar evaluations of a new public health intervention -  £50,000 or less and a duration of six months or less.

Who's it for: researchers working on opportunities that demonstrate urgency and uniqueness.

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: Researchers looking for funds to conduct rapid baseline data collection, as well as other feasibility work, prior to intervention implementation, for unique, time-limited opportunities

Deadline: Friday 29th December

JANUARY 2024

10 January

Neurosciences and mental health: responsive mode: new investigator

Opportunity: Research Funding - Funding for people working in neuroscience and mental health to take the next step towards becoming an independent researcher. Typically funds up to 80% of a project under £1m

Who's it for: A researcher who is ready to step towards independence and is working on a mental health topic which is focused on significantly improving understanding of the topic they address. Can be a postdoc, lecturer or other research staff

Organiser: UKRI

Eligibility: Researchers who are not 'independent' (not a named PI on another grant). Must have support of a MRC funding eligible institution.

Deadline: Apply by 16:00 Wednesday 10 January (for this round - however it is rolling)

Neurosciences and mental health: responsive mode: Research Grant

Opportunity: Research Funding - Funding for people in a eligible institution working in neuroscience and/or mental health to undertake a project up to 5 years. Typically funds up to 80% of a project with no upper limit

Who's it for: Project team can be composed of more than one research group or institution. Researchers looking at neurology/mental/physical health interactions discretely and at stages through the life course

Organiser: UKRI

Eligibility: Researchers who can show that they will direct the project and be actively engaged in the work

Deadline: Apply by 16:00 Wednesday 10 January (for this round - however it is rolling)

11 January

Postdoctoral clinical research training fellowship

Opportunity: Postdoc Fellowship -  Covers salary and project costs up to 80% FEC for up to 3 years.

Who's it for: registered healthcare professionals who are a PhD graduate working outside of research who can show plans to pursue a research career and be at an appropriate point in your clinical training to undertake the fellowship.

Organiser: UKRI

Eligibility: Registered healthcare professional post PhD or CTRF currently not working in research

Deadline: Apply by 16:00 Thursday 18 January.

Predoctoral clinical research training fellowship

Opportunity: Doctoral study funding - Full funding at appropriate salary level (<consultant) and fees cover to undertake a PhD for

Who's it for: registered healthcare professionals at appropriate career stage who intend to follow study with a career in research.

Organiser: UKRI

Eligibility: You must be able to explain why a fellowship is the best way to support your plan to pursue a research career and be able to identify at least one supervisor in the institution and research field to which you are applying.

Deadline: Apply by 16:00 Thursday 18 January.

16 January

Mental Health Research Group Award

Opportunity: Research Funding -  Funding aimed at increasing the national capacity to deliver mental health research by funding HEI's with little to no MH research capacity and partnering them with experienced institutions for guidance.

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: HEI's with limited or no mental health research capacity who wish to expand

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 Tuesday 16 January. Webinar on October 10th

Mental Health Research Leaders Awards

Opportunity: Research Funding - The Mental Health Research Leaders Award is designed to support an individual in a higher education institutions (HEIs) with a strategic interest in undertaking targeted and applied mental health research that will be directly beneficial for the local communities and health and care system, who currently lack the institutional capacity to do so. Leader Awards can be for up to £2.5m, up to 5 years,

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: members of HEI's, the NHS or any other health, public health or care body in England

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 Tuesday 16 January. Webinar on October 10th

17 January

Programme Development Grants - Competition 38

Opportunity: Research Funding -  Development funding with 2 streams aimed at providing £150K for a 12-24 project, either for development of a new research project, or continuation of one previously funded by PGfAR. Projects focusing on CAMH can apply for up to £250K for a 12-18 month project under Stream A.

Who's it for: Researchers looking to develop a project in preparation for a larger PGfAR applicaiton - Stream A. Or, researchers who have already obtained or have just finished a PGfAR and wish to continue the prject - Stream B.

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: Researchers in any UK country

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 Wednesday 17 January. 

18 January

NIHR Advanced Fellowship Round 11

Opportunity: Postdoc Funding - Intended for anyone who is in postdoctoral but has not obtained a professorial post. The Advanced Fellowship supports individuals undertaking research in any scientific discipline or sector that can demonstrate a contribution to improving health and/or care. It funds salary and research activities  for between 2-5 years.

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: Proposed Host Organisation must be an English or a participating devolved nation HEI, NHS body, social care organisation or other provider of health and/or care services.

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 Thursday 18 January.

NIHR Undergraduate Internship Programme

Opportunity: Early to mid-career researchers (the applicant[s]) can apply to host up to 3 interns. Funding is being prioritised for nursing, midwifery, AHPs, pharmacy and healthcare science professionals, social care professionals, methodologists, public health professionals and data science professionals.

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: Early to mid-career researchers with a PhD (or equivalent demonstrable years of research experience), who are based at an eligible host institution in England, working within a field in one of the target disciplines.

Deadline: Apply by Thursday 18 January.

23/141 HSDR Researcher-led call

Opportunity: Research Funding -Address an issue of major strategic importance to the NHS or Social Care, with the cost in line with the significance of the problem to be investigated. NIHR will fund a range of projects in both size and duration. Value for money will be an important consideration and project costs will be carefully scrutinised and must be well justified.

Who's it for: Individuals and teams of researchers focusing on NHS or social care outcomes

Organiser: NIHR

Eligibility: Researchers in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 Thursday 18 January.

FEBRUARY

6 February

NIHR PHR Calls Webinar

Opportunity: Webinar - for several of the PHR calls: Mens Mental Health; Interventions to support women in prison or post-release; Faith-based groups and the impacts on health and health inequalities; Healthy homes.

Who's it for: Any researchers interested in submitting an application/in process of writing an application to any of the above programmes

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Location: online - register on any of the call pages, eg. here

Date/Time: 1015-1130 Tuesday 6 February

Cost: Free

13 February

Applied Global Health Research: Stage 0ne

Opportunity: Research Funding - funding to support applied research that will address global health challenges and inequities.

Who's it for: Researchers working on any area of global health, including focusing on mental health. Teams including researchers in low middle income countries encouraged.

Organiser: UKRI

Eligibility: individuals at a UK based institution or based in a low middle income country.

Deadline: Apply by 16:00 Tuesday 13 February - Webinar on 7 December

MARCH

1 March

Midlands Mental Health and Neurosciences PhD Programme for Healthcare Professionals

Opportunity: PhD Funding  - Funding for a 3 year PhD, including salary at current level, fees, research costs, training and travel. Also allows some clinical time to maintain skills. You can chose to be based at University of Warwick, Birmingham, Leicester or Nottingham.

Who's it for: Healthcare professionals who wish to combine a role in clinical practice with an academic one focused on mental health and/or neuroscience.

Organiser: University of Nottingham

Eligibility: Must be currently based in the Midlands, classed as home student for fees, and meet entry requirements for one of the institutions

Deadline: EOI by 1 March.

APRIL

23 April

Men's mental health

Opportunity: Research Funding -  Research Question: What interventions are effective in promoting good mental health, or preventing poor mental health, among men?

Who's it for?: Researchers looking at group or population level interventions in men's mental health. If from England and not had PHR funding before, must contact PHRADA first.

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Eligibility: Researchers from any of the devolved nations of the UK

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 23 April 2024. Webinar on 6 February

Interventions to support women in prison or post-release commissioning brief

Opportunity: Research Funding - Research Question: What interventions are effective in promoting the physical and mental health of women in prison or post-release?

Who's it for: Researchers looking at mental (and physical health) interventions in women in prison and after release, either for issues arising from incarceration or the reasons for imprisonment. If from England and not had PHR funding before, must contact PHRADA first.

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Eligibility: Researchers from any of the devolved nations of the UK

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 23 April. Webinar at 1015-1130 on 6 February

Faith-based groups and the impacts on health and health inequalities

Opportunity: Research Funding - Research Question: How can engagement with faith-based groups impact health and health inequalities?

Who's it for: Researchers looking at the positive impact faith-based groups might have on mental health, on a population of group level. If from England and not had PHR funding before, must contact PHRADA first.

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Eligibility: Researchers from any of the devolved nations of the UK.

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 23 April. Webinar at 1015-1130 on 6 February

Healthy homes

Opportunity: Research Funding - Research Question: What are the health and health inequality impacts of interventions affecting the physical quality of UK housing?

Who's it for: Researchers looking at a range of aspects of housing conditions and the impact they have on mental (and/or physical) health. If from England and not had PHR funding before, must contact PHRADA first.

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Eligibility: Researchers from any of the devolved nations of the UK.

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 23 April. Webinar at 1015-1130 on 6 February

Climate change and health

Opportunity: Research Funding - Research Question: What are the impacts of local authority led interventions aimed at climate change mitigation and/or adaptation on health and inequalities?

Who's it for: Researchers looking at the impact on mental (and/or physical) health of local level policies and interventions for managing climate change. If from England and not had PHR funding before, must contact PHRADA first.

Organiser: NIHR PHR

Eligibility: Researchers from any of the devolved nations of the UK.

Deadline: Apply by 13:00 23 April. Webinar at 1100-1200 on 23 November 

 

 

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