Funding Sources

If you’re involved with a research project, whether you need access to resources, training in searching evidence databases or appraising what you find, or just want somewhere quiet to work – the DBTH Library service can help.

Need funding for your project? Maybe these organisations can help

Major Funding Sources

Academic Health Science Networks – News

Uniquely placed to unlock the power of frontline innovation, saving lives and money. We bridge gaps and strengthen connections between research, life sciences industry and healthcare.

National Institute for Health Research – Funding Opportunities

We are the nation’s largest funder of health and care research and provide the people, facilities, and technology that enable research to thrive.

RCN Research Funding Opportunities

Provides a list of opportunities from charities and UK Government agencies that are open to nurse or midwife researcher applications.

Yorkshire & Humber Academic Health Science Network  – Funding Opportunities

One of 15 AHSNs set up by NHS England to operate as the key innovation arm of the NHS. Collaborates with clinicians and other frontline staff to encourage and support new ways of working that make care safer and better for patients.

Small Grants

Burdett nursing trust

Provides two types of Grants Programmes – A ‘Small Grants Programme’, for projects that are nurse-led and focussed on supporting the nursing contribution to healthcare and improving care for patients. The Trust also offers an invitation-only ‘Proactive Grants Programme’.

2020 Grants Programme is now closed, but is announced annually here. Grants are for between 2-8k.  View previous winners and the application forms here.

Foundation of Nursing Studies

Supports nurse led innovation. Explore how nurse-led teams can work with patients and other stakeholders to develop practice.

Development and Leadership Programmes Based on FoNS’ Creating Caring Cultures Model, listed here.

Other funding, including scholarships for innovation are listed here.

The annual Richard Tompkins Nurse Development Scholarship includes support for carrying out an innovation project & practice development training.

Royal College of Nursing

The RCN provide bursaries and a list of Non-RCN bursaries is also available.

Queen’s Nursing Institute

Local projects that aim to improve the care of patients and to enhance the leadership skills of nurses. Projects can be led by community nurses, midwives or health visitors.

QNI Project Funding is available for innovative projects in areas of priority, including new for 2020 in partnership with the Burdett Trust for Nursing, Learning Disabilities. More information on funding sources and criteria is available.

General Nursing Council for England and Wales Trust

The GNCT fund nurse-led research projects that examine an aspect of nursing policy and practice. We issue a call for grant applications annually with a specified closing date. The nursing focus of the call is changed each year.

Check here for dates & currently open calls. The 2020 call for grants is now open with a focus on “Enhancing patient safety through patient and/or carer involvement”.

UK Occupational Therapy Research Foundation

The UKOTRF (UK Occupational Therapy Research Foundation) supports research that will build the evidence-base for occupational therapy and increase research capacity within the profession. It has a role in raising awareness of the valuable contribution of occupation to people’s health and wellbeing.

Research Grants Awards are announced annually. There is also an Annual Conference. Please see the current research strategy & Awards and Funding section of the website for more information. Site registration required.

NIHR / Health Education England Internships

The NIHR funds a range of training routes for research training. For non-doctors and dentists the HEE Internships programme is currently run by Sheffield Hallam University

The next intake will be September 2020. Keep an eye on the website & Twitter.

For Bridging schemes for clinical academics, see here.

Public Involvement Funds

This public involvement fund has been launched by the NIHR Yorkshire and Humber Research Design Service to support the costs of involving patients and the public in the early stages of research. Applications of up to £350 can be made at any time.

Funding can be applied for at any time during research proposal development. Guidance is provided.

Florence Nightingale Foundation

The Florence Nightingale Foundation runs scholarships for Leadership, Research and Travel Awards.

Research Scholarship Schemes cover internships (projects with mentoring) and Research Scholarships (for Masters dissertation fees and PhD).

Council for Allied Health Professions Research

CAHPR is a recognized Professional Network of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

CAHPR Information on Funding sources


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