Department of Health

Website of the Department of Health

Please note that this website has a UK government access keys system.

Policy Research Programme: funding, management and monitoring

  • Last modified date:
    18 November 2008

How the Policy Research Programme (PRP) is funded

All PRP work is commissioned to meet the research needs of the DH in pursuit of its policy activity. Research is not commissioned in response to unsolicited proposals. The PRP budget is currently £33 million per annum of which £5.5 million is ring-fenced for work on CJD. The PRP funds research in three main ways:

  • long term programmes of research in academic units, designed to meet the longer-term research needs of the DH as well as to provide a rapid response function;
  • large-scale initiatives, comprising linked groups of studies, providing a range of perspectives on a key policy area or issue;
  • single projects and literature or scoping reviews.

The National Institute for Health Research Central Commissioning Facility (NIHR-CCF) manage the commissioning of research for the PRP. Further information about the commissioning process and current open calls are available via the link below.

How the Policy Research Programme is managed and monitored

Heads of the main policy groups in the Department of Health submit requests for research directly to the PRP. The PRP Liaison Officers (LOs) provide initial assessment of these requests in relation to the criteria listed below:

  • whether the evidence or information requested already exists;
  • what type of research would be required to answer the questions posed;
  • the likely cost and timescale.

On the basis of this assessment, and often in consultation with a wide variety of stakeholders and experts, the PRP LOs then make a recommendation for funding, for consideration by the DH’s Director General of R&D. If approved and funding is made available, a call for proposals is arranged through the NIHR-CCF. The bulk of PRP commissioning is undertaken via open and competitive tender.

Monitoring and performance management

All successful projects are contractually obliged to complete interim and annual progress reports and financial reconciliations. Applicants are also required to submit a final draft report which is peer reviewed and amended, if necessary, before the final payment is made.

Policy Research Programme: purpose, objectives and priorities

Policy Research Programme: use and dissemination of research

Access keys