Conditions of entry

Places on the Residential Research Retreat 2022 are limited and teams must meet the eligibility criteria to be considered for the competition to win a place. The conditions of entry are described below. However, if you have any questions about these or any other aspect of the application process then do please contact the Retreat lead adviser, Andy Barton, at andrew.barton@pms.ac.uk, who will be happy to discuss this further with you.

Conditions of entry

• Each team must comprise three or four individuals, at least one of whom must be employed in an NHS, social care or public health organisation in the South West. Previous research experience is not a prerequisite for all members of the team, but the ability of the team to undertake the project will be taken into consideration in the selection process. Multi-disciplinary teams with varied research experience will be considered favourably, and a mix of clinical and academic skills and experience is preferable. The team may include service users or carers.

• A minimum of two team members must commit to attending residentially for the full duration of the Retreat, while one or two others may attend residentially or on a day basis. The residential nature of the Retreat is absolutely key to maximising the potential benefit for teams, who often work past normal working hours, continuing discussions with the advisers and indeed other teams.

• Applications for the Retreat must be submitted by 1.00pm Wednesday 20th April 2022. The more effort you put into an outline proposal and literature search the better your chances of being selected to attend. Indicative criteria for the assessment of the scientific quality of the proposals are available on this website and you are strongly advised to read these prior to application.

• You are also strongly recommended to discuss your proposal with your local RDS office. Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their applications by early June 2022.

• Teams are responsible for ensuring that funding to cover their participation is in place. Places cost £375 per fully residential team member. Any team member who can only stay for part of the Retreat will be charged £225 and for those who attend during the day only there will be a daily charge of £100. Most teams attending in previous years have obtained funding from their NHS Trusts, which have been very supportive of this event. Fees may be waived for applicants from a public health or social care background but applicants are advised to discuss this with Andy Barton on andrew.barton@pms.ac.uk before submitting an application.

• Teams need to recognise that the residential part of this event is only one component of the project development support package offered by the Retreat. Your local RDS office will be available to help with your application to the Retreat. Afterwards, you will be supported by them until your application for funding has been submitted.

A copy of Section D of the application form signed by all the applicants should reach the RDS-SW by email no later than than 1.00pm Wednesday 4th May 2022 at rds-sw@plymouth.ac.uk