What to do if you have a Research Idea

Creativity, enquiry and an enthusiasm for generating new knowledge are core values for the NHS. CRN:WM aims to promote involvement in primary care research at all stages of individuals’ careers and to develop academic opportunities and pathways that link the NHS to university departments across the area.

Do you have a good research idea that you would like to develop further into a grant application?

The West Midlands Research Design Service (RDS) exists to provide help to people preparing research proposals for submission to peer reviewed funding competitions for applied health and social care research. The RDS consists of a team of methodologists based in universities and the NHS across the West Midlands able to advise and provide practical support when you are developing your grant application. As the RDS is funded by the NIHR such help is provided free of charge.

The RDS can advise on all aspects of preparing grant applications:

Identifying the resources required for a successful project. Writing lay summaries Regulatory issues Identifying suitable funding sources Appropriate methodologies for quantitative and qualitative research

Formulating research questions Building an appropriate research team Involving patients and the public Designing a study

Further information is available on www.rds-wm.nihr.ac.uk or email at rds@warwick.ac.uk.