The Research Design Service (RDS) is part of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The RDS South West (RDS SW) is one of several regional services around the country making up the national RDS.
We provide advice and support to people preparing research proposals for submission to open, national, peer-reviewed funding competitions for applied health or social care research. Our staff are based in universities and the NHS across the South West and our help is provided free of charge.
Who can use the RDS?
We advise NHS clinicians, allied health and social care professionals, and researchers working in partnership with the NHS, who are developing an application to a suitable funding body. Priority is given to researchers applying to NIHR funding programmes.
How does the RDS work?
We work in accordance with the RDS Charter. Our advisers will be happy to meet with you online, or face-to-face if possible at a convenient time to discuss your research. You may want an RDS adviser to become a full collaborator in the research, involved in drafting sections of the proposal, but that is not always necessary. We may also suggest you involve other collaborators for example, patients, other clinicians, or methodologists with specific expertise. |
