Patient and Public Involvement in the NIHR Dementia Themed Call
The NIHR (National Institute for Health Research) is issuing a call for proposals for new research on dementia. This extends across the translational pathway, covering the fields of cause, cure and care, including prevention. Researchers have until 20th May 2011 to submit proposals for consideration for possible funding from NIHR programmes.
Patients and carers have the expertise which comes from their lived experience of dementias. The Dementia Themed Call highlights the importance of research being relevant to people’s lives. That is why PPI (patient and public involvement) is such a central part in the Department of Health’s call for new dementia research.
Patient and public involvement is important in both stages within the overall process of this themed call. The two stages are:
- PPI in developing research ideas into study proposals
- PPI in assessing and reviewing those research proposals.
DeNDRoN offers help with patient and public involvement in the development phase for the themed call, including, for example, discussion groups and surveys of patients and carers, which can help to develop research proposals.
Follow the links below for further information about DeNDRoN support for PPI in the Dementia Themed Call
Patients & carers please follow this link for a range of ways to help in developing grant applications: Getting Involved in the Dementia Themed Call
Researchers please follow this link for PPI support for developing grant applications:Getting Support with Patient & Public Involvement in Your Application
DeNDRoN is committed to collaborating as closely as possible with other NIHR sections and voluntary organisations to support patient and public involvement in this Dementia Themed Call. Further information is provided below.
PPI in assessing and reviewing proposals
Patients & carers please follow this link to the NIHR Research Programmes website for information about supporting the NIHR in assessing and reviewing grant applications: www.nihr.ac.uk/research/Pages/Dementia_Public_Involvement.aspx
The following organisations also provide support with PPI in applications for the Dementia Themed Call:
NIHR Research Design Services:
Your local RDS will be able to provide you with advice on the patient and public involvement elements of your proposal to ensure that these meet the requirements of the NIHR funding streams and to ensure appropriately well developed PPI is included in your proposal. Additionally many RDSs offer a small bursary or grant scheme to support researchers financially to get patients involved in the design and development of research proposals, so please contact your local RDS to find out more about how they can support you in applying to the NIHR Dementia Themed Call: www.ccf.nihr.ac.uk/Pages/RDSMap.aspx
Further information
Patient and public involvement in the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Dementia themed call for research – INVOLVE guidance for researchers 
This document is aimed primarily at RESEARCHERS. It provides advice and information about public involvement in research that researchers may find useful when considering applying to the NIHR for funding to undertake research as part of the dementia themed call. It explores the importance of PPI and provides information on further sources of advice.
Dementia Themed Call: Considering Conflicts of Interest when working with the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) programmes 
This guidance explores “conflict of interest” when working with the NIHR programmes, as there are a number of ways in which you may be asked to take part. This leaflet is aimed at patients, carers, members of the wider public and researchers who may be involved with work for the Dementia Themed Call