Deadline: 25-Nov-2026
The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) Programme is inviting applications for Application Development Grants to support the preparation of robust, high-quality research proposals. The funding is intended to help researchers develop strong applications that can progress to future HTA funding opportunities focused on evaluating healthcare interventions and improving health service outcomes.
This scheme is designed as a preparatory funding route to strengthen study design, methodology, and research planning before full-scale trial or evaluation funding applications.
About the Programme
- The grant supports development of future HTA research applications.
- It focuses on strengthening study design and research methodology.
- Funding helps prepare proposals for larger HTA funding calls.
- The programme supports high-quality health and care research planning.
- It contributes to evidence-based healthcare decision-making.
- It strengthens research capacity within the UK health research system.
- It supports collaboration and methodological innovation.
- It is part of the Health Technology Assessment research funding framework.
Programme Objectives
- Develop strong, competitive HTA funding applications.
- Improve research design and methodological quality.
- Support preparation of complex health research studies.
- Strengthen health economics and modelling approaches.
- Enhance trial design and evaluation frameworks.
- Promote high-quality evidence generation in healthcare.
- Support planning for large-scale clinical and applied studies.
- Improve readiness for future HTA funding submissions.
Areas of Interest
The programme supports development work across a wide range of health and care research topics, including:
- Randomised controlled trials.
- Non-randomised and observational studies.
- Cohort studies and longitudinal research.
- Complex and innovative trial designs.
- Health economic modelling studies.
- International comparative studies.
- Clinical procedures and interventions.
- Safeguarding interventions.
- Social care interventions.
- Therapeutic drugs and pharmaceuticals.
- Medical devices and technologies.
- Talking therapies and psychological interventions.
- Diagnostic testing and evaluation.
- Healthcare service delivery and settings of care.
- Screening programmes and population health interventions.
Funding Information
- Total funding available: £150,000.
- Supports application development activities only.
- Designed to prepare future HTA research submissions.
- Funding is intended for planning and methodological development.
- Does not support full-scale research or trial delivery.
What Is Not Funded?
The programme does not support:
- Hypothesis-testing research studies.
- Proof-of-concept research.
- Newly developed or adapted interventions without existing evidence of efficacy.
- Phase 2 clinical trials.
- Educational interventions focused solely on knowledge or behaviour change.
- PhD research projects.
- Stand-alone pilot or feasibility studies.
- Stand-alone development work without a clear pathway to HTA funding.
- Stand-alone evidence synthesis unless explicitly requested in a call.
Who Can Apply?
Eligible applicants must:
- Be researchers with relevant skills and experience.
- Be based in the United Kingdom.
- Have expertise aligned with the proposed research area.
- Demonstrate capability to develop a high-quality HTA proposal.
- Be able to design or contribute to applied health research studies.
Applications are expected from individuals or teams capable of developing competitive, methodologically robust research proposals.
Who Can Benefit?
The programme supports:
- Health services researchers.
- Clinical academics and investigators.
- Health economists and statisticians.
- Public health researchers.
- Social care and health systems researchers.
- Medical device and intervention researchers.
- Policy and implementation researchers.
- Research teams preparing HTA funding applications.
Expected Outcomes
Funded application development work is expected to lead to:
- Stronger and more competitive HTA funding applications.
- Improved study design and methodological rigor.
- Better-structured clinical and applied research proposals.
- Increased success in securing full HTA funding.
- Enhanced research collaboration and planning.
- More robust economic and trial modelling approaches.
- Higher-quality evidence generation in healthcare systems.
- Improved readiness for large-scale evaluation studies.
Why This Programme Matters
- High-quality research design improves healthcare decision-making.
- Strong proposals increase success in competitive funding calls.
- Early development reduces methodological weaknesses in studies.
- Better planning leads to more effective clinical trials.
- Health economics and modelling improve policy relevance.
- Strong research design supports better patient outcomes.
- Structured preparation strengthens the UK health research system.
Application Tips
- Clearly define the proposed future HTA study design.
- Demonstrate methodological expertise within the team.
- Show how development work strengthens a full research application.
- Include strong health economics or statistical planning where relevant.
- Ensure alignment with HTA funding priorities.
- Focus on feasibility and research impact pathways.
- Avoid framing as a full trial or feasibility study.
- Demonstrate clear progression toward HTA submission.
- Highlight interdisciplinary collaboration where applicable.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the HTA Application Development Grant?
- It is a funding opportunity supporting the development of high-quality research proposals for future HTA funding applications.
How much funding is available?
- £150,000 per application.
Who can apply?
- UK-based researchers with relevant expertise in health and care research.
What types of studies are supported?
- Development work for trials, cohort studies, economic models, diagnostics, interventions, and health service research.
What is not funded?
- Full trials, feasibility studies, proof-of-concept research, Phase 2 trials, and PhD projects.
What is the main goal of the programme?
- To strengthen research proposals so they are ready for competitive HTA funding calls.
Conclusion
The HTA Application Development Grant provides targeted support for UK researchers to build strong, methodologically robust health research proposals. By funding early-stage design and planning work, the programme improves the quality of future HTA submissions and strengthens evidence-based healthcare research across clinical, economic, and service delivery domains.
For more information, visit NIHR.