Funding calls

Highlight notice: Introduction to public health research - training and development award 

Formerly the Public Health Grassroots Awards

Apply for up to £5000 to undertake training or an activity to develop your skills and knowledge in public health research  

This funding is specifically for individuals working in public health or a role tackling the wider determinants of health who have little or no research experience. The funding is for individuals, not teams. The maximum available funding is £5000 and can be used for one ‘activity’ or multiple. Activities may include attending a relevant UK public health research conference, completing relevant training or a university research methods module, and/or shadowing a research team. 

Application timeline:

• Webinar for potential applicants: Wednesday 16 September 2 to 3pm

• Book a 1-2-1 chat with a member of the team to discuss your potential application. All questions are welcome, big or small.  

• Opening date for applications: Thursday 1 October 2026  

• Closing date for applications: 5pm on Thursday 29 October 2026  

• Panel meeting date: Thursday 26 November 2026  

• Decisions announced: w/c Monday 30 November  

The NIHR Public Health Research Programme has the following funding calls open:

• Air quality in indoor public spaces, workplace settings and transport microenvironments

• Using ‘big data’ to impact health and health inequalities

• Transition from education to employment

• PHR Commissioned - NIHR James Lind Alliance Priority Setting Partnerships (rolling)

• PHR - Researcher-led

• PHR Commissioned – NIHR NICE (rolling)

• PHR Development Awards - women in the armed forces

• Women’s health communication

• School readiness and the home learning environment

• Housing, place and the built environment for an ageing population

• Active travel facilitators and barriers within different populations

• Public Health Research Programme Rapid Funding Scheme

• Loneliness in the community

Remember, speak to us early to access support for NIHR Public Health Research Programme funding calls by completing our online contact form.

NIHR Fellowship personal awards and associated opportunities  

NIHR Academy have simplified the fellowship offering, which is moving from NIHR Fellowships, NIHR Integrated Clinical and Practitioner Academic (ICA) Fellowships and Local Authority Academic Fellowships (LAAF) awards to a single award application based on career stage: 

• predoctoral

• doctoral 

• postdoctoral

We can help with your application, just fill in our online contact form. 

Find out more about research career funding opportunities.