Funding call 2 

Funding opportunity from NIHR Research Support Service (RSS) Specialist Centre for Public Health – Public Health Grassroots Awards

Opportunity to apply for Public Health Grassroots Awards funding (up to £5000)

This call is open to colleagues who have a contract of employment with a:

• Local authority in England. This includes NIHR Health Determinants Research Collaborations (HDRCs), provided the applicant’s post is not directly funded by the HDRC

• Non-NHS provider, commissioned by a local authority to deliver a public health service or function

• Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprises (VCSEs) in England that receive a grant or are commissioned to deliver public health services by a local authority

Those in the devolved nations or the NHS should speak with relevant funders to explore similar opportunities. Applications are to be submitted at an individual level and are open to existing employees in the organisations described above.

The vision for the Public Health Grassroots Awards is to foster a culture of research within public health at the grassroots level, empowering more individuals to contribute to innovative and informed practices that improve public health and reduce inequalities.

By offering short-term, part-time funding, the award is focused on equipping individuals in public health with the research skills necessary to enhance their impact and contribute to evidence-informed practices, with support from local and national infrastructure.

Key priorities of the award are to:

1. Encouraging Research Engagement: The award aims to stimulate interest and activity in public health research among professionals who might not traditionally have access to such opportunities. Applicants do not need to have had any previous research experience, and for some this will be the first step in their research journey.

2. Inclusive Research Engagement: Acknowledging that barriers to being research active vary, the award is designed to be open to everyone, actively addressing and mitigating challenges some may face in becoming research active. The award can be used to provide supplementary resources for childcare, accessibility support (e.g. British Sign Language), or other needs that might otherwise prevent professionals from accessing the award support.

3. Flexibility: Recognising the diverse demands on awardees' time, the funding is structured to be adaptable and part-time, ensuring that it aligns with each awardee's professional and personal commitments and needs.

Details of the award

• The employing organisation will receive up to £5000 per award to be used flexibly by the awardee (typically over a period of 3 to 6 months)

• Funds will be released net of VAT. If VAT or any other tax or duty is payable in respect of the award or use of the award, such VAT, tax, or duty will be payable by the employing organisation

• The award can be a contribution to the salary costs of the awardee and includes the employer’s contribution to National Insurance and Superannuation

• The award can provide dedicated, protected time out of their day-to-day role for the awardee to undertake the planned activities proposed in the application

• The scope of funding and the types of activities that could be supported by the award can be found in the Public Health Grassroots Awards Description

• Additional funding (separate from the award) is available to support travel costs associated with SCPH meeting attendance and events as required

• Funding is available from 16 March 2026, and activities must commence no later than 30 June 2026

• Completed applications require the signature of the Director of Public Health (local authority) or Director/Chief Operating Officer, or equivalent (Service provider / VCSEs). The employing organisation will be expected to fully support the awardee to undertake the activities in their proposed plan, providing encouragement and facilitation of opportunities. There should be a willingness to flex to enable the awardee's involvement in networks and events during the funding period

Apply

Before applying, read the Public Health Grassroots Award Description. Detail is provided in the application form to help applicants. It is a supportive application process, and we welcome anyone wishing to apply to contact the Specialist Centre for Public Health (SCPH) for an informal discussion.

To apply, download the application form below. Submit by email to NIHR.RSS.PublicHealth@newcastle.ac.uk before the deadline outlined below. Contact us if you have any queries about this call.

Organisations that receive Public Health Grassroots Award funding are subject to NIHR Standard Award Terms and Conditions in so far as they are relevant to Public Health Grassroots awardees. Organisations are supplied with a Public Health Grassroots Award contract that supersedes some T&C where appropriate.

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

Application timeline

Applicants must complete the application form and submit it by email to NIHR.RSS.PublicHealth@newcastle.ac.uk by 5pm on the closing date.

The panel will be scoring applications as they are received, so applicants are encouraged and welcome to submit applications at any time in advance of the closing date.

• Opening date for applications: Tuesday 11 November 2025

• Webinar to support applications: 11am to 12 noon on Thursday 13 November 2025

• Closing date for applications: 5pm on Tuesday 27 January 2026

• Panel meeting date: 3 March 2026

• Decisions announced: week commencing 9 March 2026

• Funding commences: from 16 March and no later than 30 June 2026