First NIHR CLAHRC West call for research proposals and ideas garners 57 responses

The first NIHR Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) West call, which closed in September, saw an impressive 57 responses, 30 of which were for full research projects. Responses came from across the CLAHRC West patch, which includes Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, Gloucestershire, North Somerset, South Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire.

Research Advisory Panels (RAPs) are now meeting to consider the scientific value of the research proposals as well as patient, public and partner priorities so that decisions can be made about which projects the NIHR CLAHRC West can take forward collaboratively with the applicants. Applicants will be informed about the outcome of the RAP’s recommendations, including feedback, in December, and a list of projects supported will be posted on the website in January. The arrangements for assessing the 27 research ideas will be made clear in December.

CLAHRC West Director Jenny Donovan said:

“I am delighted with the response to our first call. We’ve had an impressive spread of projects and ideas from across the collaboration’s patch. We’re looking forward to working with the applicants of the proposals that are going to be supported, and discussing the opportunities for future work or alternative sources of funding or support with others.”

The NIHR CLAHRC West also celebrated its launch event on 26 November at M-Shed, Bristol, which was an opportunity to discuss and debate the “big ideas” that could lead to a step-change in improving health and wellbeing for people in the West