Update on our January 2025 Local Authority Research Practitioner call

17 February 2025

We are delighted to confirm that we have offered funding for a further 19 Local Authority Research Practitioners (LARPs) across 21 local authorities, including 2 joint applications.

One of our key objectives is to provide resource for local authorities to identify opportunities for public health research and develop the ability to initiate research. 

Since we launched on 1 October 2023, we have awarded funding for 53 LARPs across 56 local authorities, including 3 joint applications. 

LARPs contribute in various ways to increasing research capacity and capability in local authorities. In doing so they enable a move towards a culture of decision-making whereby decisions on public health policy and interventions are routinely informed by research. 

Mac Emmerson, Research Programme Manager who facilitates the LARP Network said: “The network are sharing ideas, discussing problems and already finding solutions collectively. We are excited to see how this work develops as more LARPs join us from this award call.

“The LARP Network is now fully established, with regular drop-ins, show and tell sessions and a monthly e-bulletin. The network will continue to grow over the coming year as we offer more local authorities LARP funding.” 

Our next LARP call will open on 27 May, closing on 30 June. More information on our local authority support and resources work is available on our intranet.