Funding call 4 - May 2026

Funding opportunity from NIHR RSS Specialist Centre for Public Health - Public Health Engagement Leads (PHELs)  

Opportunity for colleagues working in local authorities in *specific regions* to apply for funding (0.1FTE) for a 24-month period to be a PHEL starting on 1 July 2026.   

This call is open to colleagues working in local authorities in England, including those with NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRC) or Local Authority Research Practitioner (LARP) funding. Those in the devolved nations should speak with relevant funders to explore similar opportunities.  Applications are to be submitted at an individual level and are open to existing local authority employees.

The vision for the PHEL role is to facilitate connections between local authorities, HDRCs, LARPs and the SCPH by promoting the value of being a research active organisation. These posts involve working across several local authorities, providing opportunities to advocate for and develop partnership work to build stronger links with appropriate expertise and infrastructure. Successful applicants can successfully connect, promote and advocate for research and the role of the SCPH across their geographical area.  

Limited call for specific geographies  

This call is limited to specific geographical regions to fill gaps in PHEL coverage. Applicants are asked to provide a list of local authorities they will cover in the PHEL role if successfully funded, with a rationale for their proposed area. This must include the applicant’s employing local authority plus at least 1 other.  

There is no limit on the number of local authorities that can be included. The proposed area must be realistic in terms of the allocated time for the role and what can be meaningfully achieved within this.

We are seeking PHELs to cover the below regions. Some regions with larger gaps may require multiple PHELs or discussion with current PHELs.  

East of England 

• Cambridgeshire County Council, Essex County Council, Norfolk County Council, Peterborough City Council, Southend on Sea Borough Council, Suffolk County Council, Thurrock Council  

• Central Bedfordshire Council, Milton Keynes Council and Bedford Borough Council 

East Midlands 

• Lincolnshire County Council, North Northamptonshire Council, West Northamptonshire Council  

North West

• Cumberland Council and Westmorland and Furness Council

• Greater Manchester

West Midlands 

• Birmingham City Council, Coventry City Council, Solihull Borough Council, Staffordshire County Council, Shropshire Council, Stoke on Trent City Council, Telford and Wrekin Borough Council, Warwickshire County Council  

South West

• Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council, Dorset Council

Where there are multiple applications covering similar geographical areas, the panel will further assess those deemed fundable on: 

• the strength of the application based on the assessment criteria and scoring methodology 

• the potential to flex geographical boundaries to complement both the existing PHEL coverage and other fundable applications

Eligibility 

Applicants will currently be working in a role tackling the wider determinants of health. We are seeking individuals who can demonstrate strong leadership skills, for example, those working in senior public health, policy, or community development roles. 

The funding for the PHEL role is intended to build capacity across local authorities and key partners. A key expectation is that the postholder will have strong and regular access to stakeholders at all levels, especially elected members, chief executives, directors and board level across local authorities in their region.  We would also expect similar engagement with Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) representatives, and the public; and the SCPH, NIHR, and other research funders and organisations. While skills and abilities to influence are more important than the grade of the applicant, we expect applications to address engagement at senior levels clearly. 

Previous applicants have worked in a variety of roles and are listed below. This list is not exhaustive as emphasis is placed on the attributes an individual can bring to the PHEL role i.e. access and ability to influence senior leaders and build and maintain networks and relationships.    

• Public Health Practitioner roles 

• Public Health Intelligence roles 

• Public Health Consultants 

• Public Health Principals 

• Public Health Specialists 

• Public Health Leads 

• Research Leads 

• Programme Managers 

For this call, we are seeking applicants only from the regions listed above.  

Public and Community Partnerships and Research Inclusion 

SCPH has placed public and community partnerships (PCP) and research inclusion (RI) at the heart of our work to ensure we make a meaningful difference to public health and reduce inequalities. We expect PHELs to be a champion for both PCP and RI in their role as they are both key components of being a research active organisation. 

Current PHELs do this in different ways, for example, attending regional PCP or RI development groups, supporting PCP and RI within research projects, sitting on funding panels related to PCP, and chairing national PCP evaluation meetings. 

Details of the award

• the local authority will receive 0.1FTE per award for 24 months for the successful applicant to undertake the PHEL role

• funding must start on 01 July 2026  

• the award will be a contribution (0.1FTE) to the salary costs of the individual and includes the employer’s contribution to National Insurance and Superannuation   

• the award will provide dedicated, protected time for the individual to undertake the responsibilities in the PHEL role description

• completed applications require the signature of the Director for Public Health - the local authority will be expected to fully support the PHEL to undertake the responsibilities of the role, providing encouragement, facilitation of opportunities across their specified geography and a willingness to flex to enable the PHEL’s involvement in networks and events

Apply

Before applying, please read the PHEL role description. Detail is provided in the application form to help guide applicants. To apply, please email NIHR.RSS.PublicHealth@newcastle.ac.uk and we will email you the May 2026 application form.  

Once completed submit via email to NIHR.RSS.PublicHealth@newcastle.ac.uk before 12 noon on Friday 22 May 2026.    

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

Application timeline

• opening date for applications: Monday 27 April 2026 

• closing date for applications: 12:00 on Friday 22 May 2026  

• decisions announced: w/c 15 June 2026  

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