Patient research initiative to speed benefits to health.
The MRC and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) are spending more than £6m on a programme to identify small carefully defined groups of patients to help researchers detect, treat or prevent diseases.
The response-mode programme, called the Patient Research Cohort Initiative, will support the creation or development of groups of patients who have been selected on the basis of their health characteristics and medical history.
The investment will contribute to scientists’ understanding of disease and accelerate the development of new treatments, forming a key part of an overall strategy to turn scientific discoveries more quickly into health benefits for patients.
The initiative will also promote the participation of these groups in studies conducted by companies and academics, and will encourage interaction between industry, academia, charities, the NHS and patients.
Applying and receiving funding:
Applications must be in partnership with an NHS institution – GPs can apply – and proposals may include industry and charity partnerships. A specially-convened assessment panel, consisting of industry, biotech and academia, will make the funding decisions.
• The programme in detail, and how to apply
• Patient Research Cohort Initiative - press release
