Researchers
Research Capability Funding
NIHR Research Capability Funding (RCF) is a research funding stream awarded to Trusts on an annual basis which helps research-active NHS organisations to attract, develop and retain the research workforce necessary to deliver high quality health research.
For more details about RCF please visit the NIHR website: Research capability funding | NIHR
2027/2028 NIHR Research Capability Funding – call opening date still to be announced.
The funding will be for a maximum of 12 months, with a funding limit between £10k-£20k depending on the applicant’s planned NIHR call application (for more details please see the guidance information link below).
Applications will be reviewed against the following criteria:
- Likelihood to lead to a NIHR grant application within the next 18 months
- Importance of the problem being addressed, especially in relation to the NNUH research strategy and patients
- The impact of the proposed RCF activities in improving the chance of success of a NIHR grant, including the PPIE and EDI involvement
- That the RCF activities are clear and achievable with the collaborative team and within the proposed timeframe. That any risks have been assessed and mitigated
- That the research team have got the expertise and experience to move the work forward, including beyond the RCF to a NIHR grant
Examples of what RCF could be used for are (not an exhaustive list)
- background literature searches
- pilot work to generate preliminary or underpinning data
- preliminary biomarker testing
- analysis of preliminary or underpinning data
- stakeholder meetings
- workshops with collaborators
- patient and public involvement (PPI) work
Awards can only be used to support the salary of individuals named in the application, and funds have to be spent in year. It is a requirement for successful applicants to provide interim reports during the award.
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Successful Applicants for RCF 2026/27:
- Catherine Gooday – Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Testing for Diabetic Foot Ulcers (NEST-DFU)
- Tom Arkle – Improving the understanding and management of delayed gastric conduit emptying following oesophagectomy
- Francecsco Sabatino – Management with Air versus Gas after Non-complete ILM peel for macular hole closure with insight on foveal integrity (MAGNIFY)
- Jilse Joshy – How co-prescribed medications influence outcomes in patients with cutaneous melanoma receiving immunotherapy
- Clare Hannon – Development of cEll-free DNA isolation for early ToxiciTy dEction and Cellular Typing – Immune Profiling (DETECT-IP)
- Adam Peel – Dressings versus no dressing for indwelling pleural catheters
