Application Process

The Application Process

To apply, please visit the Funding Opportunities page.

*Indicative timings

Submission

The EME programme represents an ongoing research funding opportunity to the research community. You are welcome to submit a preliminary application at any time, however there will be three submission deadlines each year. The purpose of these deadlines is to ensure that the secretariat has sufficient time to carry out the necessary processing and preparation for the Board meetings. The web-based submission forms and guidance information are available from this website. The EME programme will only consider applications using the appropriate form and will not accept any additional documents to those specified (unless specifically requested by the Board).

The secretariat, in consultation with the Programme Director and Chairman of the Board, will undertake initial checks on all preliminary applications submitted to ensure that they are within the programme remit and are therefore eligible for consideration. Applications which do not fulfill this criterion will be rejected at this stage.

Preliminary applications which are within remit will also be assessed on overall quality and the likelihood of meeting the fundable criteria when assessed by the EME Board.  Applications which are not considered to be competitive for funding will be rejected at this stage.

We expect to be able to inform all lead applicants as to whether or not their preliminary application will be considered by the Board within 2-3 weeks of the submission deadline.

Assessment

The granting of research funds is a competitive process. All research proposals submitted to the EME programme will undergo an extensive assessment process to ensure that the programme funds high quality research projects. This will be undertaken by both external expert referees and Board Members.

In its assessment of proposals, the EME Board is likely to use the following criteria:

1. Scientific quality of the proposal including:

• What is the likelihood of a study making a substantial advance in scientific understanding and knowledge?
• What is the likelihood of the study leading to a substantial health gain?
• What is the likelihood of the study increasing our understanding of the broader topic area?

2. Feasibility of the study

• Demonstration of the necessary skill mix, experience, project management and infrastructure for success.
  High quality clinical and evaluative studies need a multi-disciplinary team. The EME programme recommends research teams to have an appropriate mix of skilled people. Applicants need to show a commitment to team working and may wish to consider a collaborative approach between several institutions. It is important to involve service users.

1. Explanation and justification for estimated recruitment rates. The EME programme wants studies to achieve their aims. Researchers should demonstrate that they can recruit the necessary number of participants.
2. Ethical, legal and social implications of the research proposed have been considered.

3. Reasonable costs and value for money.

There are no fixed limits on the duration of projects or funding and proposals should be tailored to fully address the problem.

Preliminary Applications

Peer Review

Preliminary applications that are to be considered by the Board will be sent for assessment by one expert referee (clinical academic) who will be asked to complete a standard form. Preliminary application referees will be asked to consider the importance of the topic, the scientific merit of the proposal, the ability of the team to complete the research, and the feasibility of the work.

Board Assessment

Each preliminary application will be allocated to designated Members of the Board. They will take responsibility for completing a detailed assessment (including assimilating referee comments), presenting the preliminary application to the wider Board, and leading discussion. Allocations will take into account institutional and personal conflicts, and where possible may also reflect specialist expertise and knowledge. The Board will discuss the comments and opinions expressed by the referees and members and then decide whether to reject the preliminary application or to shortlist the application and invite the submission of a full proposal. It is expected that lead applicants will be informed of the Board outcomes within a couple of weeks of the Board meeting.

Full Proposals

If you are invited to submit a full proposal, you will be given around two months to work on your next submission. We will supply you with a detailed full proposal application form (web-based) and associated guidance notes. Full proposals will be considered at the Board meeting following the meeting at which the preliminary application was shortlisted.

Peer Review

Full proposals will usually be assessed by several clinical and methodological experts. The precise blend of expertise will be dictated by the topic area. Service user referees may be asked to provide comments where appropriate.

Board Assessment

Each full proposal will be allocated to designated Members of the Board who will be asked to review the full proposal. Once again they will be asked to complete a detailed assessment (including assimilating the referee comments), present the proposal to the wider Board and to lead discussion. The Board will then decide whether or not the proposal should be funded. The EME Board is likely to place proposals in one of the following categories:

• Fund
• Fund with changes
• Resubmission
• Reject

The Board’s decision will be final and cannot be appealed against.

Applicant Feedback

It will not be possible to provide feedback unless your research proposal has been considered by the Board. Feedback on applications and proposals which have been assessed and considered by the Board will be enclosed with the decision letter sent to the lead applicant. The EME programme will also expect to publish a public version of the minutes of all Board meetings on the website, along with a list of all shortlisted and funded projects.

Funding

Once funding has been approved for a project, the contracting process will begin. Dedicated staff from the EME programme will guide researchers through this process and facilitate the commencement of the project. Once the contract has been signed, information on each funded project will be published on the EME website.