A new approach to public health research funding

Abstract Background The National Institute for Health Research Evaluation, Trials and Studies Coordinating Centre (NETSCC) is the UK's largest funder of public health research. NETSCC is exploring new methods to identify important areas of research to commission aiming for research that is high quality, serves stakeholders (including policy and decision makers), and is unconstrained by traditional programme boundaries. Here we describe such an approach that aims to explore a new approach to public health research funding. Methods NETSCC develops commissioning briefs to prompt researchers to apply for funding. A new approach is being tested on a small number of key health challenges including tobacco. The new approach is to co-produce and co-create the commissioning brief involving a wide range of stakeholders. Topics are identified and prioritised systematically on the basis of the value of research; burden of disease; degree of uncertainty; and cost to society and the health system. Tobacco was chosen because it remains the UK's single greatest cause of preventable illness, avoidable death, and health inequalities, and there remain important unanswered questions. In-house expertise was used to scope the area and write an initial draft; this was sent to peer reviewers for feedback involving, in addition to the usual academics, evidence-users including directors of public health, local government councillors, and Action on Smoking and Health. The brief was taken to two national committees (Public Health England's Tobacco Control Plan Implementation Board and the Cancer Research UK Tobacco Advisory Board) and to the NETSCC's Programme Directors meeting. At each stage the brief was redrafted in response to comments received allowing continual development. Findings The wide range of peer reviewers and committees welcomed involvement in the process. Reviewers gave useful responses and the committees gave sufficient agenda time for engaged discussion. This approach is generalisable to other research calls and will aid the development of NETSCC commissioning. Interpretation NETSCC are developing a flexible and responsive process to address identified research needs. The final commissioning brief will ask for research in a range of areas relevant to end-users' needs in a rapidly changing field. Once advertised (in about November, 2018) its success will be measured by the number of applications and how many are fundable. Funding None.