The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Health and Social Care Delivery Research (HSDR) Programme has launched a commissioned research call (23/91 Improving the Organisation and Quality of Health and Social Care Services in Rural and Coastal Areas of the UK) which offers an opportunity for potential applicants to apply for research funding.

The HSDR Programme funds research that has the potential to improve health and social care services. Any research funded through the HSDR Programme may be primary (qualitative and/or quantitative), secondary and evidence syntheses. Typical projects are mixed-methods studies with a clear focus on the accessibility, organisation and quality of care, including research about the workforce and the experiences of staff, service users, families and carers.

The HSDR Programme supports ‘capacity building within the research community and welcomes proposals from lead applicants who do not have extensive experience in leading large research studies (provided that mentorship arrangements are included within the application to support the more junior lead).’

This call also encourages collaborative applications involving local authorities and local health and social care organisations in rural and/or coastal regions.

The call deadline has been extended and will now remain open until Wednesday 22 November 2023. To find out more please visit the NIHR website.