Call for proposals for Commissioned Research and outline proposals for Clinical Evaluation and Trials

The Health Technology Assessment (HTA) programme commissions research in three different ways: by advertising standard calls for research proposals that address specific topics, by advertising special calls for research proposals that address themed areas, and by funding HTA clinical trials and evaluation studies that are proposed directly by researchers.

The HTA programme is currently advertising standard calls for research proposals that address specific topics and funding for clinical trials and evaluation studies that are proposed directly by researchers.

The deadline for Commissioned Research proposals is 1pm on Friday 8 January 2010 and for Clinical Evaluation and Trials outline proposals the deadline is 1pm on Wednesday 14 January 2010.

Call for proposals for Commissioned Research

A modern health service needs more than just the right buildings, equipment and staff. It has to base its clinical decisions on the most reliable evidence, optimising resources and ensuring the best care for patients.

The National Institute for Health Research Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme provides an assessment of the costs, effectiveness and broader impact of any method used by health professionals to promote
health; prevent, diagnose or treat disease; or improve rehabilitation and long-term care. Research proposals are sought on the following topics:

Primary Research (outline proposals)
09/110 Nicotine replacement therapy pre-loading
09/113 Are screening programmes for permanent hearing loss in children at
school entry cost-effective?
09/115 Duodenal stenting for malignant gastric outlet obstruction
09/118 Antibiotics in the management of atopic eczema

Evidence Synthesis (full proposals)
09/109 - Efficacy of diversion and aftercare programmes for offenders using class A drugs
09/111 - The diagnostic utility of selective nerve root blocks
09/112 - Sentinel lymph node biopsy and staging of vulval cancer
09/114 - Non-invasive methods for the assessment and monitoring of liver fibrosis and cirrhosis
09/116 - Angioplasty for peripheral arterial disease
09/117 - Intervention programmes for children of parents who have a severe mental illness.

All submissions must reach the NETSCC, HTA offices before 1pm on Friday 8 January 2010. Proposals will be considered by the HTA Commissioning Board at the end of March 2010. Please note that applications received after these deadlines will not be considered.

The commissioning briefs, application form and associated guidance notes are available on the HTA programme website at www.hta.ac.uk/funding/standardcalls or contact the HTA Commissioning team, tel: 023 8059 5621 (24 hour answer phone), fax: 023 8059 5639, email: htacmsng@southampton.ac.uk.

The NIHR Health Technology Assessment programme is funded by the NIHR, with contributions from the CSO in Scotland and WORD in Wales.

09:06:53  2009-11-02