Our Major Research Grants support work on the subject of healthcare-associated infections (HCAIs) and infection prevention and control. This grant would be suitable to support a PhD studentship, MD or other research worker and related consumables/equipment, with a preference towards translational research rather than pure science topics. Grants will be subject to satisfactory biannual progress reports.

Major Grants are suitable for National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Partnership in their Clinical Research Network Portfolio.

Please see the HIS Research Strategy 2020-2025 document for full information on our funding remit.

• Total funding: up to £99,000 (up to £33,000 per annum)
• Duration: min 1yr, max 3 years
• Availability: one award every other year. Next award year 2025/6.
• PI must be UK or Ireland based

The submission deadline for the HIS 2023 research funding call has now closed

Application deadline: 1 September 2025 at 11.59 pm

The scheme can be used to:

• Fund research projects to answer well-defined IPC/HCAI questions.
• Build collaborations between clinicians and researchers
• Provide access to funds for hypothesis testing
• Encourage innovative and interdisciplinary research in infection prevention and control

Information on current and past funded Major Research Grants can be found here

Restrictions: Funding is not available:

• For the commercial exploitation of work already being undertaken, or intellectual property protection;
• For equipment purchase only
• To purchase contracted-out services
• For Indirect and estates costs
• As Start-up funds for new staff
• As Honorarium payments to visitors or fees for undertaking teaching
• To buy-out PI staff time

Scoring criteria are available in the Grants programme overview and process document.