Funding and sponsorship

Research sponsorship

All research conducted in health and social care requires a sponsor.  Sponsorship is distinct from funding and relates to the organisation that will indemnify and take on the overall responsibility for the research, ensuring that proportionate, effective arrangements are in place to set-up, run and report a research study.  

For studies in the NHS the sponsor is usually a NHS Trust, a university, charity or a commercial organisation. UHDB sponsors high quality research which is of high scientific worth and will be of benefit to patients and to the Trust. The Sponsor Team will support you with application development, funding, template documentation, obtaining regulatory approvals and commencing your study.


Sponsorship request

If you would like UHDB to take on the role of sponsor, please email uhdb.sponsor@nhs.net and ask for a research sponsorship request form – we’ll email this to you and you’ll then need to send the completed request form, along with a draft study protocol/funding application.

When applying for sponsorship, you will be invited to a meeting with the Sponsorship Group (usually via Teams) to discuss your study and the application.

If you are undertaking research as part of an educational qualification your research sponsor should be your awarding institution.


Applying for funding

Obtaining funding is a key stage at the beginning of a study. The Sponsor Team can support you in identifying, applying for, and managing research grants. Please contact: uhdb.sponsor@nhs.net

It is important to engage with the R&D team as soon as you have a research idea. We will be able to help you assess the feasibility of your study and provide guidance on the most appropriate funding sources. We can assist in identifying potential grants from sources like the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Research Councils, charities, and other funding bodies.

We ask that researchers contact us ideally at least three months prior to the submission deadline. This allows us to work with you in developing the funding application thereby ensuring all requirements of the trial have been considered. We will be able to help you consider all necessary costs such as staffing (including Co-Applicant Costs), equipment and consumables, travel and conference costs, research costs, excess treatment costs, participant expenses, and archiving.


Funding opportunities

 

Study design

UHDB hosts the Derby Clinical Trials Support Unit which offers support with early study design and accessing the NIHR Research Support Service.


Being a Co-Applicant

If you are approached by another Trust or University to act as a Co-Applicant on a grant application, details of your salary and any costs will need to be included in the application. These costs should be provided by R&D finance to ensure that they are accurate and in line with the funder guidance. Please contact  uhdb.financeresearchanddevelopment@nhs.net to request details. 


Useful resources