About Us

We are an NIHR Research Support Service Hub bringing together expertise in research methods, research delivery, patient and public involvement and developing research funding applications. Our team is drawn from the Universities of York, Sheffield and Leeds.

Areas of expertise

Specialist settings

We undertake research across NHS primary, secondary, and tertiary care; community and social care; settings outside health including criminal justice and education; with voluntary sector organisations; and industry.

Trials, statistics and data science

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of drugs, devices and surgery, diagnostics, and complex interventions; early phase trials; prognostic models; cohorts; diagnostic accuracy; utilising routine data; high-performance computing; machine learning and artificial intelligence.

Qualitative

A range of qualitative methods including ethnography, participatory methods, longitudinal studies and process evaluation. We have experience undertaking research on inequalities, with underserved populations and cross-sector research involving health, social care, charities and local authorities.

Health economics

Expertise in real-world data, early economic modelling and economic evaluation alongside clinical trials. Experience in methodological developments including outcome measurement and incorporating inequality in the evaluation framework.

Study delivery and underserved populations

Delivery of multi-centre RCTs including regulatory requirements. Expertise on evidence-informed participant recruitment and retention including vulnerable populations such as children, people who lack capacity, and people with severe mental illness. Methods development including Studies within a Trial (SWAT).

Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE)

Expertise developing innovative PPIE approaches with researchers, patients, community organisations and the public. Experience leading PPIE capacity development: developing guidance, leading training and providing mentorship to researchers as well as working collaboratively with underserved communities and promoting inclusivity.

Mixed methods

Use of mixed methods in the design, optimisation and evaluation of complex interventions; development, validation and adaptation of outcome measures; research priority setting, stakeholder involvement and participatory research methods.

Evidence synthesis

Including systematic scoping reviews, systematic reviews and meta-analysis and qualitative evidence synthesis.

Dissemination and impact

Designing strategies for research reporting tailored for the target audience and planning pathways to impact.

Our mission

To provide expert research design, methodological support, advice and collaboration throughout the pre- and post-funding application process.

Who we support

We provide support for applications to NIHR or external funding schemes which fund research across the NIHR remit. This includes research grant funding and fellowship schemes.

We support new and experienced researchers regardless of geographical location across England.

Types of support

Advice only

We can provide advice on

• Refining your research idea and research questions

• Identifying the most appropriate funding stream and their requirements

• Choosing the appropriate methods for your research question

• Building a research team

• Involving members of the public in your research

• Inclusive approaches in research

• How to approach writing your application

• Costing your proposal

• Signpost you to other sources of research expertise

• Post-application advice

Advice and collaboration

In addition, we may link you with potential collaborators across our partners who can collaborate as co-applicants on your funding application. This is particularly for research which requires substantial study delivery infrastructure or specialist or intensive methodological support.

We have substantial expertise and infrastructure to support the design and delivery of RCTs. Our Hub includes three UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) registered clinical trials units. We can also link you up with other clinical trials units across the country through our partnership with UKCRC. Our three trials units have expertise in evaluating a wide range of different interventions ranging from behavioural to pharmacological. Two of our clinical trials units are Royal College of Surgeons Surgical Trials Centres, with specialist expertise in the design and delivery of trials of surgical interventions and devices.

Accessing support

Fill in the request for support form, completing as many of the sections as possible.

When your request is received, we follow a triage process to assess the type and level of support needed. We may allocate an advisor, simply provide information (or sign-post to resources) to answer your question, or we may link you with the collaborators you need, such as in a clinical trials unit.

If allocated an advisor, they will contact you for an initial discussion about the proposal and further assess specific needs. If appropriate, the advisor will arrange for other advisers to work as a team with you, provide specialist advice, or link you with potential collaborators.

What we need from you

Development of a competitive funding application requires time therefore please contact us as far in advance of submission deadlines as possible. We are unlikely to be able to provide advice and support if you approach us immediately before a submission deadline.

Where there are agreed action points during advice meetings, it is expected that these will be carried out before further meetings are arranged. This is so that we can ensure the best use of our finite resources.

Our Hub team is drawn from several groups at the Universities of York, Sheffield and Leeds. The three universities have strong networks both between and within their institutions. These networks link us to a wealth of expertise across Departments, Institutes, Policy and other Research Units, Applied Research Collaborations, and Biomedical Research Centres.

University of York

The Department of Health Sciences is a large, multi-disciplinary and multi-professional department. Research staff work alongside patients and the public using a range of research approaches to deliver methodologically rigorous and meaningful programmes of research.

York Trials Unit (YTU) is a UKCRC-registered trials unit with a 30 year track record in trials across a range of settings and trial designs (e.g. pre-randomised consent designs; cluster trials; split plot; patient preference method; randomised cohort design; stepped wedge; multi-arm, multi-stage adaptive designs).

The Centre for Health Economics (CHE) is a world-renowned institute that produces policy relevant research and innovative methods that advance the use of health economics to improve population health.

The Social Policy Research Unit, is a leading UK centre for applied health and social care research. Established in 1973, SPRU conducts high impact policy and practice research across the lifecourse.

University of Sheffield

Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR) is tackling some of the world’s biggest health challenges to improve the lives of people in the UK and around the world.

Sheffield Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) is a UKCRC-registered clinical trials unit providing high-quality support in running clinical trials in line with international regulatory standards, from the planning stages right through to analysis and reporting.

University of Leeds

Leeds Institute of Clinical Trials Research is changing lives as we improve health and social care through innovative clinical trial research and education.

The Clinical Trials Research Unit (CTRU) undertakes ground-breaking research that will shape clinical interventions worldwide for generations to come. From early proofs of concept through to final-phase safety and effectiveness trials, the unit facilitates the creation of new medicines and treatments that otherwise would not exist.