Blackpool Researching Together Seed Funding Scheme (UK)

The Blackpool Researching Together Seed Funding Scheme provides grants of up to £20,000 for community organisations in Blackpool to develop research addressing local health inequalities. The programme supports short-term projects of up to six months in priority areas such as mental health, housing, early childhood (conception to age 2), and education, skills, and employment. This initiative fosters collaboration between the community, local council, academic partners, and health services to improve health outcomes and reduce disparities.

About the Blackpool Researching Together Initiative

Blackpool Researching Together is a health inequalities research programme created through a partnership involving:

Blackpool Council
Lancaster University
Local communities and voluntary sector organisations
Blackpool Teaching Hospitals

The programme is part of the Health Determinants Research Collaboration (HDRC) Blackpool and has been funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) for five years.

The initiative focuses on understanding and addressing unfair and avoidable differences in health outcomes, known as health inequalities, by involving Blackpool residents directly in research processes.

Priority Areas for Funding

Seed funding targets research projects in the following areas:

Mental health – improving support, access, and outcomes
Housing – exploring links between housing conditions and health
Conception to age 2 – early life health and development interventions
Education, skills, and employment – improving opportunities and reducing socio-economic disparities

Projects that generate new evidence or evaluate existing services to improve health outcomes are particularly encouraged.

Purpose of the Seed Funding Scheme

The scheme is designed to:

Support early-stage research development by community groups
Help overcome barriers in formal research applications, such as complex procedures and lengthy processes
Enable the exploration of research ideas that could lead to larger funding bids
Strengthen community research skills and participation
Generate evidence that informs local council and health service planning

Funding may support short-term research projects, evaluations, or activities that develop research proposals and knowledge.

Funding Details

Maximum grant: £20,000
Project duration: Up to six months
Eligible uses: Staff costs, research materials, small-scale evaluation, or activities that strengthen research capability
Ineligible applicants: Organisations currently commissioned by HDRC Blackpool

The funding is intended to kick-start research activities and build collaborative partnerships between community organisations, academic partners, and local services.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

Community organisations and groups based in Blackpool
Organisations that have expressed interest in becoming more research active or are already engaged in research activities

Applicants must not be currently commissioned by HDRC Blackpool. Collaborative projects involving multiple partners are encouraged.

How the Funding Supports Community-Led Research

By providing seed funding, the programme:

Encourages resident-led research priorities
Strengthens collaboration between community organisations, council services, and academic partners
Builds local research capacity
Produces evidence to inform service delivery and reduce health inequalities

Projects are expected to produce insights that can influence council and health service planning, particularly in the identified priority areas.

How to Apply

Check eligibility: Ensure your organisation is based in Blackpool and is not currently commissioned by HDRC Blackpool.
Develop a research idea: Identify a research question or project that addresses one of the priority areas.
Prepare a proposal: Include objectives, methodology, intended outcomes, and a detailed budget.
Submit the application: Follow submission guidelines on the Blackpool Researching Together website.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Submitting applications from organisations already commissioned by HDRC Blackpool
Failing to align projects with one of the priority funding areas
Proposing projects without clear research objectives or outcomes
Exceeding the maximum grant of £20,000 or duration of six months
Ignoring the requirement for collaboration with community, council, or academic partners

Why This Funding Matters

Health inequalities in Blackpool present significant challenges to residents’ well-being. By funding community-led research initiatives, the scheme:

Gives a voice to local residents in shaping services
Enables evidence-based decision-making for health and social care services
Builds partnerships between community organisations, academic institutions, and the council
Strengthens local research capacity and future funding potential

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the Blackpool Researching Together Seed Funding Scheme?

A funding programme supporting community organisations to develop research addressing local health inequalities.

2. How much funding is available?

Grants of up to £20,000 are available for projects lasting up to six months.

3. Who can apply?

Community organisations and groups based in Blackpool that are research active or interested in research, but not currently commissioned by HDRC Blackpool.

4. What types of projects are eligible?

Projects that develop research proposals, conduct short-term studies, or evaluate services in mental health, housing, early childhood, or education, skills, and employment.

5. Can projects involve multiple partners?

Yes, collaborative projects with council, academic, or other community partners are encouraged.

6. Can funding be used for large-scale projects?

No, the funding is intended for early-stage or short-term research projects rather than large-scale initiatives.

7. How will the funding benefit the community?

By generating evidence that improves services, informs decision-making, and reduces health inequalities in Blackpool.

Conclusion

The Blackpool Researching Together Seed Funding Scheme provides a unique opportunity for community organisations to develop research skills, explore new ideas, and contribute to addressing health inequalities. Through collaboration with academic and council partners, funded projects will strengthen local knowledge, inform better services, and help improve outcomes for Blackpool residents.