Funding available to investigators from the CLRN in 2008

The four main streams of funding for investigators are summarised below, with further information provided if you click on the links. Note that, wherever possible, such costs should have been included in grant applications, with the streams below to act as a contingency should the funding agency decline or exclude the funding.

1. Clinical Infrastructure Funding to Member Trusts and Constituents
The CLRN has allocated funds directly to Trusts which may be spent at the discretion of the Trust on eligible UKCRN Portfolio clinical research, including studies in Topic Specific Clinical Research Network areas, and can be used for clinical infrastructure - that is, clinicians/GPs, research nurses and associated staff such as clinical research officers, data managers and administrative staff, or for service support. This is the primary source for investigators and they must approach the relevant Trust(s) or Greater London Primary Care Local Research Network (PCRN-GL) before considering the application mechanism outlined in (3) below.

2. General Service Support Funds
There are two sources of funds for general service support costs:

1. Direct allocation to Member Trusts and Constituents
   The CLRN has allocated funds directly to Trusts, which may be spent only on general service support costs for eligible UKCRN Portfolio clinical research, including studies in Topic Specific Clinical Research Network areas. This is the primary source for investigators and they must approach the relevant Trust(s) or Greater London Primary Care Local Research Network (PCRN-GL) before considering 2.2 below. 
2. Central CLRN Contingency Fund (please read 2.1 above first)
   The CLRN has a £500,000 contingency fund to provide service support costs of eligible UKCRN Portfolio clinical research in the event that a local Trust cannot provide the funds from their direct allocation as indicated in 2a above. If such a situation arises, the investigator/GP should complete an application form and submit it to the CLRN. Decisions will be made by the Executive Group on a monthly basis, which meets on the third Thursday of each month. If you have any queries, please call 020 7882 2064 or email Dr Delphine Purves: d.c.purves@qmul.ac.uk
   

3. Clinical Infrastructure Funding from the CLRN
The CLRN has £1m to fund staff costs for either new trials or at risk trials. The aim is to facilitate the process of high quality UKCRN Portfolio studies and optimise participant recruitment to these. The funding can cover salary costs for clinicians/GPs, research nurses and associated staff, such as clinical research officers and data managers, as well as dedicated administrative staff for a reasonable period of time, up to four years. It cannot be used for service support costs.

4. Flexible and Sustainability Funding (FSF)
The CLRN has a limited amount of FSF (£146,000), which it has ring fenced for those working in:

1. Specialist “orphan” areas, uniquely available within the CLRN, but which require nurturing and development to raise the activity to levels commensurate with the capacity in the region.
2. Member Trusts/Networks which have received minimal FSF directly (<£60,000)
3. Trusts which are attempting to develop their research portfolio from a current low base of activity.

The funds can be used for a proportion of the salary costs of NIHR faculty members (see note below) or associated staff.

Note: The Faculty of the NIHR is all professionals who carry out people and patient-based applied health research and who are funded by NIHR or the Department of Health Policy Research Programme (PRP). This includes clinical, health services, public health and social science research. Membership is automatic for any researcher supported by NIHR or PRP funding as long as a) part of their salary costs are funded by the NIHR or PRP and b) the researcher is employed by the NHS or by a University.

Last updated: 20 October 2008