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

Applications for RCF are welcome from any area of clinical research but priority and from all professional.

Applications will be reviewed against the following criteria:

• in line with the Trust’s Research Strategy
• prospect of leading to a NIHR or other major grant application (It is expected that any grant applications developed with the support of RCF will be submitted with NNUH as the lead organisation / contractor)
• bridging the funding gap for those submitting a grant application
• supporting aspiring researchers where funding from other sources is not available
• led or co-led by an applicant whose substantive employer is NNUH

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 the individual 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.

RCF Applications for 2024-25 – are now closed

RCF Applications for 2025-26 are expected to open in Jan 2025

Successful Applicants for RCF 2024/25:

• David Monk – Ultralow methylation profiling – allowing for epigenetic biomarker analysis in limited biological samples
• Eleanor Mishra – Does use of the RED score in patients with malignant pleural effusions attending for therapeutic aspiration improve key clinical outcomes?
• Isabel Iglesias-Platas – Folate/Vitamin B12 metabolism and supplementation in preterm infants
• Kate Lucas – To determine if a physiotherapy-led education and exercise for groups or individually tailored would benefit patients living with osteoporosis by improving confidence to exercise in the long term
• Ketan Dhatariya – CONNECT – Continuous glucOse moNitoriNg in Hospital Patients with Type 2 diabEtes and Cognitive impairmenT
• Leanne Miller – Define intervention based on TiDier checklist
• Pankaj Garg – Aortic flow hemodynamics post transcatheter aortic valve implantation
• Rasheed Kaya Mohammad – Implementing appropriate outcomes using ‘Transformative Simulation’ for patients over the age of 65 years with Emergency Mental Health presentations
• Rebecca Rayner – Vestibular-bias sitting balance training for people with severe balance impairment post stroke
• Zoe Venables – Artificial intelligence to identify medications in primary care associated with cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas