NIHR PGfAR Seed Funded Scheme Open for next full round

Posted by: Holly - Posted on:

NIHR Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) works to make the application process as useful and streamlined as possible to reduce burden on applicants and allow the funding scheme to be as responsive as possible to the UK’s research needs. To this end PGfAR has a ‘Seed funded’ scheme, which will be open to awards funded by the following schemes:

  • NIHR Research for Public Benefit (RfPB),
  • Health and Care Research Wales Research for Patient and Public Benefit (HCRW RfPPB)
  • HCRW Integrated Funding Scheme, 
  • Scotland’s Chief Scientist Office Response mode funding schemes. 

Award holders from CSO’s Health Improvement, Protection & Services, and Translational Clinical Studies funding schemes can apply for this opportunity if they are reaching towards the end of their research and would be able to expand and benefit on their work through a collaborative, multidisciplinary programme of applied health and care research in the scope and remit of PGfAR.

Expressions of Interest (EoI) can be submitted up to two weeks in advance of the launch of the PGfAR Full Stage round launching on 27 May 2026 (i.e by 13 May 2026). Anything submitted after this date will enter the next business as usual Full Stage round. Our NIHR PGfAR Time Sensitive and Seed Funded – Guidance for Applicants outlines the application process and the competitive risks. Applicants are also encouraged to review the PGfAR main web page, Domestic Outline Guidance and Domestic Full Guidance prior to completing the EoI form. 

CSO would be happy to pass on any specific queries to the Programme Grants for Applied Research team, you can get in touch with us at csograntsteam@gov.scot