The Manchester Academic Health Science Centre (MAHSC) Applied Health and Care Research Group, a joint initiative between MAHSC and the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (ARC-GM), are offering the opportunity to apply for awards to fund cross-discipline, multi-institution, research-led projects that have potential to generate health and social care impact and benefits to people and communities, patients, and carers.

The projects should focus on topics allied to applied health and care and consider the specific health needs of the Greater Manchester area, with a view to ongoing impact, publications, and potential for securing definitive funding. Multiple awards are available for up to £20,000-£40,000 per project. The PI and team must be working in a university or NHS organisation in the Greater Manchester area.

Projects should align with the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership strategy 2022-2028 and Greater Manchester’s 5-year Joint Forward Plan.

For guidance, the six missions of the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership are as follows:

• The recovery of NHS and care services
• Strengthening our Communities
• Increasing prosperity
• Prevention and early detection
• Supporting our Workforce and Carers
• Achieving financial sustainability

The full Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership Strategy, Improving health and care in Greater Manchester, 2023-2028, can be viewed here, with the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership Joint Forward Plan available here.

Professor Matt Sutton, MAHSC Applied Health and Care Research Group Chair, Professor of Health Economics, University of Manchester, and ARC-GM Deputy Director, said: “This is an exciting opportunity to develop research studies that have the potential to generate health and social care impact and benefits to people and communities, patients, and carers. We look forward to receiving applications that help to address the key challenges facing the Greater Manchester health and social care system.”

Projects are encouraged to tackle health and social care inequalities, including but not limited to, the inclusion of under-served groups in research. It is important that projects include a named sponsor from the local health and care system, demonstrate Public and Community Involvement (PPIE), and (representation/inclusion) of voluntary sector partners is encouraged.

The awards may fund staff salaries, project running costs, and equipment essential to the study/project, and the grant duration is for 1 year. Awards cannot cover research overhead costs.

Applications can be submitted to MAHSC@healthinnovationmanchester.com, with a closing date of 26^th January 2024 and a decision will be made on funding awards by February 2024. More information on the application process can be found on the application form below.

Further MAHSC Funding Opportunities

Funding opportunities in each MAHSC domain are announced throughout the year. Find out more here.

About MAHSC

MAHSC is a collaborative partnership between The University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (part of the Northern Care Alliance), and Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust. This alliance unites leading healthcare providers with world-class academics and researchers to foster innovation and advancements in healthcare. Find out more here.

About NIHR ARC-GM

The NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Greater Manchester (ARC-GM) is a partnership between providers and commissioners from the NHS, industry, the third sector and the University of Manchester. It is one of 15 ARCs across England, part of a £135 million investment by the NIHR to improve the health and care of patients and the public. Our remit is to support applied health and care research that responds to and meets the needs of local populations and health and care systems and, to improve the uptake of evidence-based innovation, policies and practices in Greater Manchester and beyond. Find out more here.