Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Can I apply if I haven’t identified public contributors yet?

A: Yes, but you must outline your recruitment strategy. We can also offer support by circulating your recruitment advert to the INSPIRE Portsmouth network of public contributors and wider gatekeepers. 

Q. What if my public involvement plans change after I've been awarded the funds?

A: Please inform one of the scheme administrators (see below) as soon as possible so we can discuss; adjustments can be made.

Q: What if my MRC call changes or is not open yet?

A: Your application needs to fit with broad MRC funding priorities/remit, however there is scope for the call you target to change.

Q: Are interdisciplinary bids welcome?

A: Yes. You will just need to identify how your proposal fits within the scope of MRC funding priorities to ensure it is eligible.

Q: What are the requirements around who leads on the proposal?

A: The application for these public involvement funds needs to have a University of Portsmouth lead (any career stage; any Faculty – staff or post-graduate registered student). This is due to the way the funds are being managed. That person will be responsible for submitting the application for these funds, managing the award (if successful), and reporting on the outcomes. Your proposal can be collaborative with any number of external partners/co-applicants. The future MRC funding application you are developing through these funds should have the University of Portsmouth as a named co-applicant, however there are no restrictions around who must be the lead on that bid, based on this present funding.

Q: Can funds cover training for public contributors?

A: Yes, reasonable training costs are eligible. Please note, public contributors should not be required to have any special qualifications, since their expertise will lie in their lived experiences. The funds do not cover training for researchers. Whenever possible, you should be considering how you can best adapt the approach you take to best meet the needs of public contributors, rather than requiring them to be trained to meet your needs.

Q: Can the funds cover academic or research staff time?

A: No, the funds should be used to cover the time of public contributors but not academic/research time. If necessary, the funds can be used to cover the costs of a trained facilitator to support the public involvement activities.

Q: How will I pay public contributors?

A: If you are successful in your application, your award letter will explain the process you need to go through to set up the payments. You will need to use the designated University forms and processes and follow the Rewards and Recognition Policy.

Q: Do I need ethical review from a Research Ethics Committee to undertake public involvement activities?

A: No. Appropriate public involvement activities entail working with members of the public in a collaborative way, to shape the research plans and ideas. You will not be doing research on members of the public (i.e.. where you are following a protocol to collect data, analyse their data, and disseminate the findings); therefore, research ethical review is not required. However, it is vital to consider how to undertake your activities in an ethical way (see: Ethical Practice Guidelines).

Q: What considerations do I need to make regarding health and safety?

A: Consider where to meet people, safety considerations, and establish whether you need a risk assessment. Where necessary, you should act in accordance with the University’s Lone Working Arrangement and Guidance. The University safeguarding policy applies to visitors, volunteers, and adults at risk engaged in any University-led activity. Public involvement activities involving potentially vulnerable community members require a Safeguarding Risk Assessment. It will be your responsibility to undertake a risk assessment for the activities you are planning and ensure those facilitating sessions have appropriate safeguarding awareness and understand the reporting routes – please access the University guidance for this. The structure of your public involvement activity should reflect the principles set out in the University safeguarding policy (safe environment; proportional controls; clear boundaries).

Q: What should I do if I have a safeguarding concern arising from my public involvement activities?

A: Safeguarding concerns may arise if a public member appears at risk of harm, or discloses abuse or a serious concern. Other situations of concern may arise if a researcher experiences abuse or distress during involvement activities with members of the public. You should be aware of the University safeguarding policy. If a safeguarding concern arises during a University-led activity, take the following course of action:

1)      If there is immediate or unmanaged risk, emergency services (dial 999) or the Local Authority should be contacted first (see here for how to raise a concern for Portsmouth-based residents). The University’s internal reporting process (see point 2 below) does not replace statutory escalation.

2)      You must log the concern via the Raise a Concern form so that it enters the University governance structure for oversight. Please note, that although the Raise a Concern form has a lot of phrasing related to students, this form should be used for any safeguarding concern including for members of the public.

Q: Do I need a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) Check if my public involvement activities may involve vulnerable people?

A: Probably not. A DBS check is not automatically required just because public partners maybe vulnerable (i.e. those under the age 18 years or vulnerable adults). A DBS check is only required if the nature of your activity meets the definition of regulated activity, typically involving:

• Regular interactions (more than 3 times in 30 days) or overnight

• One-to-one or supervisory interaction

• Responsibility for the person’s welfare

• Or involvement in personal care, healthcare, or training/instruction tied to health needs.

Most public involvement activities do not meet this threshold, as you will not be taking responsibility for a person’s personal affairs, household matters, care or health needs, it is time-limited, and not supervisory. If you are unsure, you should complete a Safeguarding Risk Assessment to determine if your interactions cross the threshold into regulated activity, and liaise with your line manager who will need to identify if you require a DBS check (as per the DBS Staff Policy) and then the Human Resources Compliance Team will initiate and manage the DBS application.

Q: Will my public involvement activities be covered under the University insurance?

A: Yes. The University’s insurance covers a broad range of activities, and we have Employer’s Liability, Public Liability, and Professional Indemnity Insurance cover (see here). 

Q: I am unable to attend the launch workshop on the 9th February – what should I do?

A: Please use the information provided on this site to help decide whether you would like to apply to the scheme. If you have any questions about scope or eligibility please contact any of the scheme administrators, detailed below.

Q: What accessibility considerations have been made for the events taking place as part of this scheme?

A: All events (launch workshop, seminars, panel meetings, and celebration event) will have the option to attend in-person or online. Seminars and key talks will be recorded with permission of the speakers, and these recordings will be made available online.

Q: What are reporting requirements if I am successful in my application for these funds?

A: You will be asked for a brief progress update and a final report (using a template form). The progress update will be to enable the administrators to ensure the target spending for the overall funding envelope is on course. The final report is to enable us to fulfil our reporting requirements to the MRC and capture the impact of the scheme. You will also be invited to attend a panel meeting with the public members who are awarding these funds for a supportive discussion on your progress and to enable reflection and feedback. We will want to know the outcome of any future funding applications you submit as a result of your public involvement activities undertaken via this scheme, including to any other funders other than the MRC.

Q: Who can I speak to for further information and support with my application?

A: The following academics are administering the scheme:

• ​Dr. Amy Drahota (Scheme Lead): amy.drahota@port.ac.uk

• ​Dr. Tim Exell (Director of CiH-Well): tim.exell@port.ac.uk

• ​Dr. Carolina Machuca Vargas (Associate Head R&I): carolina.machuca-vargas@port.ac.uk

We also encourage all potential applicants to attend the launch workshop on 9th February 2026.