The Committee considers applications for applied research aimed at improving or protecting population health and/or improving the quality, safety and/or effectiveness of healthcare in Scotland.
Applications must make a strong case with supporting evidence of the need for the research including public, patient, service and/or policy maker support. The relevance and importance of the research, and its potential for significant impact on health or healthcare in Scotland must be evident with the anticipated impact on health outcomes clearly stated.
Clearly specified research questions and a well-considered pathway for translation of the research into policy and/or practice, which may include further stages of research, must be presented. Applications for development, feasibility or pilot studies (Guidance) to underpin applications to other funders for definitive / larger studies that will achieve impact are also welcome. Applications of this nature are expected to include specified criteria for progression to the subsequent study. The research approach and methods should be well described and justified with supporting pilot data where appropriate. Experienced trials unit support should also be considered where appropriate.
Applicants are expected to involve patients/public/service/policy makers in the design and conduct of their study as appropriate. They should consider inclusion and diversity in design, applying relevant guidance in order that the research can be as inclusive and representative as possible of the population(s) that could benefit from the outcomes (such as UK Standards for Public Involvement (google.com); INCLUDE – Guidance (google.com); Improving trial diversity – Trial Forge).
Funding is available up to a total of £350,000 (at 80% Full Economic Costs) for projects of up to three years in duration. However, projects at lower cost and shorter duration are very welcome with value for money costed realistically an important consideration. Applications including funding from other sources are welcomed but evidence demonstrating this support must be provided.
The case made, potential impact, methods (including the approaches taken to patient, public, service and/or policy maker involvement and diversity and inclusion in study design), the translation of the research, and value for money are all key considerations for shortlisting and final funding decisions. Competition for funding is high. Usual success rates for applications from the outline application stage to the final funding decision are around 20-25% with on average about 5-6 applications funded. Unless specifically invited, resubmissions of applications will not be considered.
If applying for funding for research related to screening in Scotland, outline and full applications must be accompanied by endorsement from the National Screening Oversight Research and Innovation Group: NSO Research and Innovation Group | National Services Scotland
Applicants should be aware of the range of other funding opportunities available, including the nine National Institute of Health & Care Research (NIHR) programmes that are open to applications from researchers based in Scottish Institutions (NIHR Programmes – Chief Scientist Office). If applying to CSO for funding for a preliminary study to support a subsequent application to one of the NIHR programmes, applicants should specify the programme in their application to CSO and be fully aware of the requirements of the NIHR programme.
Queries relating to applications to the Committee should be directed to Dr Tom Barlow
For all other questions, including those on active grants, please contact the CSO Grants Management Team.
Current Committee Membership
| Dr Gazala Akram | Institute of Pharmacy and Biomedical Science, University of Strathclyde |
| Mr John Barrett | Public Interest Member |
| Dr Karen Barnett | School of Medicine, University of Dundee |
| Dr Stephen Bridgman | Public Health Scotland |
| Professor Kathleen Boyd | Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow |
| Professor Kay Cooper (Vice Chair) | School of Health Sciences, Robert Gordon University |
| Professor Nadine Dougall | School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University |
| Professor Edward Duncan | Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling |
| Dr Barbara Farquharson | Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling |
| Professor Gill Hubbard | School of Health Sciences, University of Dundee |
| Professor Kate Hunt (Chair) | Institute of Social Marketing, University of Stirling |
| Dr Caroline Jackson | College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh |
| Dr Bhautesh Jani | Institute of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow |
| Mr Tom Kennedy | Public Interest Member |
| Professor Helen Mason | Yanus Centre for Social Business and Health, Glasgow Caledonian University |
| Professor Peter Murchie | Institute of Applied Health Sciences, University of Aberdeen |
| Dr Glenna Nightingale | School of Health in Social Sciences, University of Edinburgh |
| Professor Nicola Ring | School of Health and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University |
| Dr Tom Russ | Division of Psychiatry, University of Edinburgh |
| Professor Nicholas Sculthorpe | School of Health and Life Sciences, University of West of Scotland |
| Professor Rod Taylor | MRC/CSO Social and Public Health Sciences Unit, University of Glasgow |
| Professor Evropi Theodoratou | Usher Institute of Population Health Science and Informatics, University of Edinburgh |