A programme to advance the development and use of data from national clinical audits and patient registries as a mechanism for improving health care quality.

This programme is open for application until 16 May 2019.

• Researcher-led open call for outline proposals supporting original research to improve health care quality in the UK.
• £1.6m is available for up to five teams to conduct original research that advances the development and use of data from national clinical audits and patient registries.
• Each project team will receive up to £400,000 for projects with a maximum duration of four years.
• Researchers are initially invited to submit outline proposal applications for review.

The Health Foundation’s £1.6m Insight Research Programme 2019 invites researchers to submit ideas for research that advances the development and use of data from national clinical audits and patient registries as a mechanism for improving health care quality in the UK.

The rich information held in national clinical audits and registries can be used to inform improvements in health care quality. However, there is widespread recognition that national clinical audits and registries could be further developed. They are essential to understanding the quality of care provided, particularly regarding clinical effectiveness, but also other domains of quality.

We want to support four to five projects with funding between £300,000 and £400,000 for a maximum duration of four years. We are looking for innovative and ambitious research with the potential to transform the use of audit and registry data to improve quality of care.

The priority areas for this call are:

• patient focused audits and registries
• accelerating the use of linked data to support future challenges and trends in quality and care or to improve the value of health care
• demonstrating and enhancing the impact of national clinical audits and registries on practice and policy.

The application process

There is a two-stage application process for this programme. Applicants must initially submit an outline proposal application form; these applications will be reviewed and successful applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.  

• The programme opens on Tuesday 2 April 2019
• We will hold an information call from 15.00-16.00 on Monday 15 April 2019
• The closing date for outline proposals is 12.00 Thursday 16 May 2019
• Following a review of the outline proposals, shortlisted projects will be invited to make a full application.

This research call builds upon our existing research in this area. Our Insight Research Programme 2017 is supporting five research projects relating to audits and registries. View these projects

How to apply

If you are interested in applying for the Insight Research Programme 2019, please go through the following steps to complete your application.

1. Important supporting information

All applicants must read the Notes for applicants and the Outline proposal application form guidance in full before completing the application form.

2. The application process

Applications for this round of our Insight Research Programme will be piloting our new two- stage application process. You must complete the Outline proposal application form in full before submission. Forms should be submitted via email to InsightResearch@health.org.uk.

The application form requires you to supply information outlining how your project proposal meets the selection criteria outlined in the Notes for applicants.

Outline proposals rated most highly against the criteria will go through to the next stage (stage 2) of assessment, where applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal.

For further information about the call and application process, please refer to the Frequently asked questions.

3. Information call

We will hold an information call from 15.00-16.00 on Monday 15 April 2019. If you would like to join the call, please register your interest. Joining instructions will be sent to you in advance of the call.

Information calls offer applicants the opportunity to hear more about the programme and ask questions to clarify understanding. Please note that we will not be able to answer specific technical questions about individual applications. You are strongly encouraged to participate in the information call.

4. Deadlines

The deadline for all outline proposals is 12.00 Thursday 16 May 2019. We will not accept submissions after this date.

Applicants will be informed as to whether they have been invited to submit a full proposal during week commencing 24 June 2019. The deadline for full proposals is 12.00 Monday 22 July 2019.

Shortlisted candidates from stage 2 will be interviewed in October 2019. Interviewed applicants will be advised of the outcome in November 2019.

Please note: If you have any queries about the programme or application process which have not been answered in our Frequently asked questions, please email: InsightResearch@health.org.uk.