Funding call 5 

Funding opportunity from NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health - Local Authority Research Practitioners (LARPs)  

Opportunity for local authorities to apply for £52,500 for 24 months (pro rata) or more to appoint a LARP.     

This call is open to colleagues in local authorities in England. Those in the devolved nations should speak with relevant funders to explore similar opportunities.    

NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs) and local authorities who have previously submitted a successful LARP application are not eligible for this call.   

Details in this round are slightly different to previous:   

• The latest date a LARP can be recruited and in post is 30 June 2026. 

• The latest date SCPH can provide funding for a LARP is 30 June 2028.  

• Submissions for this funding call open 1 September 2025 and can be submitted at any time. We are reviewing and providing outcomes on a rolling basis between 1 October and February 2026. 

• The earlier a local authority applies, and if they gain a successful outcome, the longer the funding period could be. e.g. if a successfully awarded local authority can recruit and have their LARP in post by 30 January 2026 , and can match fund for the longer period, they can receive funding for 29 months instead of the original 24.    

Match funding   

Typically, the LARP award contributes 50% of the LARPs salary. Match funding the other 50% or more is an essential eligibility criterion. In exceptional cases the SCPH will consider providing additional costs where it is clearly demonstrated that a local authority is unable to contribute due to unique circumstances. If you are unable to match fund, you must contact the SCPH to discuss your application before you submit it. We can share examples of how other local authorities have leveraged their match funding.   

On costs    

We strongly recommend consulting with your finance team to calculate the on costs (in addition to salary costs) for the LARP post and include these in your calculations (Q24 on the application form).   

Eligibility   

• Organisation: applications can only be submitted by a local authority and cannot be submitted by an ICB or external organisation. Partner organisations can be listed on the application form in Q21  

• Work pattern: the LARP role must be a minimum of 0.6FTE   

• New and existing colleagues:  Local authorities can apply for LARP funding to either employ a new colleague, or appoint an existing colleague where at least one of the following applies: 

• existing work objectives align to those of a LARP  

• LARP objectives can be incorporated into their role (with some existing responsibilities being shifted elsewhere in the team) 

• they can undertake the LARP role as a secondment

Please provide detail in Q16 on the application form.   

• Single and joint applications: 2 or more local authorities can apply together for funding for one LARP. One local authority must employ the LARP and lead on the application. A clear explanation is required as to how the role and objectives would be split and supported.     

Selection criteria   

All shortlisted applications are scored against 7 selection criteria, and by 2 panellists against a standardised process.   

Before applying, we recommend reading the LARP role description and selection criteria. 

Application timeline:   

• Opening date for submissions: Monday 1 September 2025  

• Submission date: any time before 5pm on Monday 26 January 2026    

• Panel meeting date: periodically between 1 October 2025 and February 2026   

• Decisions announced: as fast as we can after submission    

• Funding commences:  as soon as the local authority can get their LARP in post, must be before 30 June 2026 

LARP job descriptions    

Local authorities that are awarded LARP funding are responsible for preparing the job description (JD) and undertaking recruitment. We recommend that while writing a LARP funding application local authorities consider what skills and attributes they would be looking to include in their person specification. This helps local authorities provide specifics within their application answers.   

The JD is not required as part of the LARP funding application process. Successfully awarded authorities must provide their LARP job description to SCPH for review once awarded and before recruitment of the LARP commences. The shared responsibilities outlined below must be included. Our additional suggested responsibilities may also be useful to review.     

Shared responsibilities that we ask to appear on the JD:   

• actively promote, support and contribute to the activity of the SCPH    

• contribute to the sharing of best practice across local authorities as part of the LARP network    

• link with Public Health Engagement Leads (PHELs)    

• undertake regular reporting to the SCPH (Newcastle University and partners) to support the evaluation of the LARP roles and demonstrate their impact on research capacity and capability in local authorities   

The grading of the post should be determined by the local authority’s own procedures, and you should consider this in your funding request. SCPH can provide JDs from other successful local authorities to aid this process. If you are successfully awarded funding, you will submit claims in six monthly arrears.   

Applying  

All applicants in round 5 must contact SCPH to receive the specific application form for this round and must discuss their application with Mac Emmerson, Research Programme Manager. This is a supportive application process; we provide guidance to maximise your application. Contact Mac at:  NIHR.RSS.PublicHealth@newcastle.ac.uk   

Completed applications can be submitted any time after 1 September by emailing the application form to  NIHR.RSS.PublicHealth@newcastle.ac.uk. The final deadline for submission is 5pm on Monday 26 January 2026. Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis by 2 panellists. The earlier you apply, the sooner your outcome, and if successful, the earlier you can recruit your LARP and more funding you could receive.  

Any local authority applying in December/January must be prepared and have arranged a fast recruitment process to get the LARP in post before 30 June 2026, if successful.   

Local authorities awarded LARP funding are subject to NIHR Standard Award Terms and Conditions in so far as they are relevant to LARPs. Local authorities are supplied with a LARP award contract that supersedes some T&Cs where appropriate.  

This funding is provided by the NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health (SCPH) delivered by Newcastle University and Partners.