Gaps remain between the development of improved biomedical and health research methodologies, widespread awareness and uptake, and their recognition as best practice.
Where multiple methodologies are available, it can be difficult to understand when, where or how each methodology should be best applied.
This funding opportunity will support the development of guidance in priority areas of methodological uncertainty, with the aim of catalysing uptake of improved research methods.
Following an award, teams must begin the proposed work within six months to ensure that the resulting guidance for better research methods retains its relevance as assessed when awarded.
Who to involve
Your proposed guidance should allow others to navigate the methodological options available and provide frameworks to ensure the optimal research approach or approaches are used.
Any area of unmet methodological need within MRC or NIHR remit will be considered.
To develop your guidance, you should engage and involve relevant groups. These could include:
- methodologists
- non-methodologist researchers
- technical professionals
- health and allied health professionals
- industry
- non-expert stakeholder groups, such as:
- funding bodies’ policy and decision-makers
- the public and patients as required by the identified area of need.
The guidance you produce will need to be accessible, appropriate and informative to the groups involved.
Costs covered
The funding provided can be used to cover incurred costs for:
- background review or scoping activities
- consensus activities and workshop costs, including travel and subsistence, if applicable
- writing and open-access publication costs
- production of other learning resources, if appropriate.
Funding can last up to a maximum of 18 months and can cover 100% of directly incurred costs. Indirect and estate costs are not eligible.
