Single Health Research Fund - criteria for success
The MRC’s input to the Cooksey review has been informed by the views of a wide range of other organisations and individuals, including the scientific community, MRC board and Council members, the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, and other key opinion formers. A number of common principles and criteria have emerged, which we believe to be integral to a successful single fund.
- Quality and coordination of research
- Effective funding strategies for research and infrastructure
- Credibility, engagement, and efficiency
Quality and coordination of research
1. Improve strategic planning and support for all areas of translation between basic and applied health research.
2. Manage an effective balance between applied clinical and health services research of immediate relevance to health and wellbeing, and more fundamental laboratory or population based science – including continued support – in UK and overseas – for health research likely to benefit poorer countries.
3. Address health needs through both “top down” identification of priorities with stakeholder input, and “bottom up” creativity and innovation.
4. Foster links across disciplines (physical sciences, mathematics, computing, economics, social sciences) and between basic and applied biomedical science.
5. Retain a culture of professional, rigorous research management, and inclusive, open decision making.
6. Retain principle of independence in funding decisions, and at most levels of strategy development.
Effective funding strategies for research and infrastructure
7. Ensure major funding streams for research, resources, support costs, infrastructure, training etc., are in balance and efficient.
8. Rationalise MRC and DH funding mechanisms, and avoid gaps and duplication
9. Provide appropriate support for the research priorities of charities and industry.
10. Develop a strategic overview of all UK health research strengths and needs, in discussion with the devolved administrations, even though some funds might be geographically restricted.
11. Strengthen and consolidate the research literate/active workforce within the NHS.
12. Provide an even stronger body of professional input to knowledge transfer and IP exploitation, across the breadth of health research, including at a preclinical level.
Credibility, engagement, and efficiency
13. Optimise international profile for UK medical research, increasing flexibility to take bold initiatives and form major partnerships.
14. Provide a credible independent research “response” on contentious/topical issues (e.g. Gulf War related illness, flu, CFS/ME, stem cells).
15. Develop and sustain an integrated approach to patient and public involvement.
16. Reduce lead times to initiate clinical research (especially trials) and time in moving from early to late stage trials/implementation.
17. Increase efficiency through shared back office functions, support systems, information sharing.