Who can use the RDS?

RDS EM will provide advice to NHS researchers, and others working in partnership with the NHS, within Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Nottinghamshire and Rutland, who are developing an application to a suitable funding body, particularly Research for Patient Benefit (RfPB) and other NIHR research programmes (HTA, SDO) and grant schemes run by Research Councils and the Association of Medical Research Charities.

How can the RDS help me?

The RDS can advise on all aspects of preparing grant applications including:

• Focusing ideas and refining the research question
• Building an appropriate research team
• Involving patients and carers in all stages of the research process
• Overall research design
• Choice and application of research methodologies for quantitative research e.g. statistical issues, health economics and qualitative research e.g. sampling, analytical strategies
• How to undertaking systematic reviews
• Identifying the resources required for a successful project
• How to conducting literature searches
• Regulatory issues
• Lay summaries
  
• Identifying suitable funding sources
  
• Signposting to other research support and advice services, where appropriate.

RDS EM also supports research design through training, workshops and other educational events having regard to the needs of the health research community in the East Midlands and to national developments in NHS R&D.

How does the RDS work?

Advice and support is best provided face-to-face.  RDS researchers will be very happy to meet with you at a convenient time and place to discuss your research and, where required, offer on-going support to help you to finalise your grant application.  RDS staff may also agree to become collaborators in your research project, but this is not always necessary or possible.  At times the RDS team will also advise on involving other collaborators, for example, patients, other clinicians or other methodologists.

When should I contact the RDS?

It is preferable to contact the RDS at an early stage to discuss your ideas, although you may contact us at any stage as you develop your research proposal.

How can I find out more about the services provided?

More information about the services provided by the NIHR RDS for the East Midlands can be found on the website, by subscribing to the quarterly Newsletter or by contacting your local centre.

Leicester:      This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it      0116 252 3276

Nottingham:  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it      0115 823 0500