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Home > Researchers > I need help funding my research > I need help applying for funding

I need help applying for funding

We provide a range of support to help you plan your study or trial in health or care settings.  Engage with us as early as possible so we can help you achieve the greatest impact.

If you are outside of the UK, not all of this support will be available or relevant to you. Find out more about Global Health Research.

Research Support Service

The Research Support Service (RSS) provides free and confidential support for researchers to apply for funding and develop and deliver clinical and applied health and care research. Access to support, advice and expertise is available for all researchers in England working across the remit of the NIHR.

Clinical Trials Units

Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) are regarded as an important component of many trial applications. They can help guide you through the process from the initial idea to project delivery and reporting.

Find a CTU to collaborate with in your application:

  • The UKCRC CTU Network provides information on all registered units in the UK, their key interest areas and contact information.

Clinical Trials Toolkit

The Clinical Trials Toolkit is designed to help researchers navigate through the complex landscape of setting up and managing clinical trials in line with regulatory requirements.

Study Support Service

Our Local Clinical Research Network (LCRN) teams offer a bespoke Study Support Service who can work with you to help you plan and prepare.

The Study Support Service can:

  • give you expert advice and guidance to help you plan your research
  • accurately identify relevant funders for all resources related to your study activities
  • ensure your research is inclusive by following methods such as our INCLUDE guidance

Expert guidance to plan your research

For non-commercial studies, we can help in the following areas:

  • advice on eligibility for the Clinical Research Network (CRN) Portfolio and the process of applying for CRN support for your study
  • signposting to support for designing a research study - through our Research Support Service or our patient and public involvement and engagement teams
  • advice and support on cost attribution, following the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) Attributing the Costs of health and social care Research and Development (AcoRD) guidance
  • access to AcoRD specialists and the UK-wide Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Tool (SoECAT), to help plan and define the resource of your study activities
  • identifying excess treatment costs (ETCs)
  • signposting to relevant training - cost attribution, SoECAT, Integrated Research Application System (IRAS), Health Research Authority (HRA) processes, and Good Clinical Practice
  • providing local intelligence about sites and services in your region to optimise delivery, including the exploration of recruitment pathways
  • facilitation of support for multi-site studies across the LCRNs and with the devolved administrations
  • facilitating access to our specialty research leads - our experts in leading and delivering research, alongside providing health and care services

What is AcoRD? (Attributing the costs of health and social care Research and Development)

AcoRD sets out how the DHSC meets some of the costs of charity-funded research in the NHS. Our 'What is AcoRD' page will help you understand the principles of AcoRD. It includes more information on the attribution e-learning tool, FAQs, and instructions to find your local AcoRD specialist.

Need help?

If you are unsure where to start, or require any further assistance, please email the Study Support Service Helpdesk: supportmystudy@nihr.ac.uk