Where can I get help developing my own research?

The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) offers help in designing and also costing research studies. You will potentially need to get regulatory approval (often involving research ethics) from the Health Regulatory Authority in order to comply with strict governance requirements.

All research has a cost attached, whether it be for staff time (including backfill) or for areas such as equipment or treatment costs. The NIHR manage a large programme of funding awards, however, these are mostly aimed at established researchers and are extremely competitive.

The NIHR Research Support Service supports the development of grant applications to its schemes. The NIHR also work with other funders including government bodies and research councils. Charities such as the Stroke Association and other non-commercial organisations like the Health Foundation also provide grants for research studies.

Commercial companies also fund projects including clinical trials for devices and medicines. Health Innovation in Manchester is well placed to help develop commercial partnerships within their research domains of cardiovascular disease and neurosciences.

These processes can be complicated and time consuming for the uninitiated, so it is highly advisable that you involve your Trust R&I office as early as possible.

What about local academic research into neurological conditions?

Collaboration is key in research, and securing funding for a project is far more likely if a researcher with a proven track record is involved in the grant application. The region boasts a number of universities with an interest in healthcare and neurological research including The University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and the University of Salford.

The Geoffrey Jefferson Research Centre is a focal point for brain research in the region. It is a partnership between the Northern Care Alliance NHS FT, The University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre which is part of Health Innovation Manchester.