How the NIHR can support your research

The National Institute for Health Research  (NIHR)  is funded by the Department of Health and Social Care  and  supports research in the NHS in a number of ways.

​There are a variety of ways in which health and care professionals can get involved in research. You can lead research in your field of interest, be a co-applicant or principal investigator for a study, advise sponsors or sites about the shape and feasibility of their research or take a lead in recruiting and delivering a study. Or you may want to stay abreast of the latest evidence and encourage your patients and service users to get involved in a study taking place at your institution. Every role and every professional is important. 

We can offer you support to develop your career from being a clinician involved in research to becoming a skilled academic researcher to supporting recruitment of patients. Our resources and learning tools help health and care professionals in the important role they play in the delivery of research to improve care for patients and the public.

Evidence shows that research active hospitals have better patient outcomes. Encouraging a research-positive culture in health and care organisations gives patients and the public greater access to research studies that help improve care and treatment options. Whether its embedding research across the sector, involving patients or supporting innovative practice we can help you achieve greater participation in research.

The NIHR supports research being delivered across 33 specialty therapy areas. Our therapy areas provide health and care professionals with the practical support they need to set up and deliver clinical research in the NHS and wider health and social care environment and to facilitate the involvement of participants to make research more effective.

Whether you're new to the research opportunities the NIHR can provide you, or you have worked with us for many years, there are always opportunities to shape the future of health and care research.

At the core of NIHR is a commitment to fund high quality health and care research that benefits the NHS, public health and social care, attracting, supporting and developing the best researchers tackling the complex health and care challenges of the future, and providing research evidence to inform health and care practice.

Our researchers come from diverse professions and background and their quality is world leading. As a researcher working with NIHR you will sample a culture of innovation, where we continuously find ways to increase our quality, accessibility and improve people’s experience of working for and with us.

Through our diverse funding programmes, our world-class support services, partnerships with the research community and other national and international stakeholders, and through the opportunities we provide for you to help shape our research agenda, being part of our research community makes a real difference to the health and wealth of the nation.

If you are applying for funding for the first time, or have already received NIHR funding, we provide support so you can conduct clinical and applied research in the areas of the country with the greatest health and care needs. 
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We also provide career support and advice, access to leadership development opportunities, networking events, mentoring and guidance on research funding.

We fund, support and deliver high quality research and attract, train and support the best researchers.