Research Facilitation Fund 2025 Round 2

Deadline: 16:00 Wednesday 23 July 2025

Costs: £250,000 - £650,000

Duration: Up to 60 months

Funding Decision: January 2026

Contact: awards@versusarthritis.org

 

Focus

This investment, in partnership with Orthopaedic Research UK and the Kennedy Trust, provides support for patient and public involvement (PPI) activity in musculoskeletal research.

The issues that matter most to people with musculoskeletal conditions should be at the heart of research. We recognise the impacts this can have on research and more widely on people, when delivered well, for both researchers and people living with musculoskeletal conditions. We expect researchers to involve people meaningfully throughout their projects.

Versus Arthritis conducted a multi-element review to understand the needs and challenges of researchers in delivering quality PPI across their research. This funding recognises the importance of involvement in research, our requirements as funders, and the challenges identified by researchers.

This call for applications aims to address the fragmented infrastructure for PPI in musculoskeletal research across the UK. It also seeks to tackle issues of limited pre-award PPI funding and support, as well as insufficient access to patient groups during this initial stage of research. Our goal is to enhance and expand the existing networks and resources, making them available for the broader MSK research community, regardless of researchers’ seniority or geographical location within the UK. This is expected to be delivered by:

  • Building PPI infrastructure and capacity that is accessible to any researcher in the UK, providing access to people with lived experience where this does not exist.
  • Supporting researchers to deliver quality PPI, with a focus on pre-award.
  • Build on and facilitate best practice understanding by additive actions and expertise.

Through this initiative, we aim to increase access to meaningful and high-quality involvement in musculoskeletal research, thereby maximising the quality of research, its outputs, and the overall impact. 
Applications are invited for between £250,000 and £650,000 in value for up to 60 months’ duration.

What we are looking for?

  • This investment, in partnership with Orthopaedic Research UK and the Kennedy Trust, provides support for patient and public involvement (PPI) activity in musculoskeletal research.
  • Investments will only be made where realistic impacts are sought towards addressing the fragmented infrastructure for PPI in musculoskeletal research across the UK.
  • Detailed guidance on what we are looking for can be found in the call document under the Scope and Requirements section.
  • Patient and Public Involvement network support is excluded from this round as there will be a dedicated call later in 2025.
  • If you would like to check eligibility to the call please contact the Versus Arthritis team through awards@versusarthritis.org.

Who can apply?

  • The lead applicant must be based at an eligible UK institution.
  • One applicant must have a tenured position within the lead institute.

What you can apply for?

  • Costs for salaries, expenses and small items of essential equipment can be requested.
  • Awards of up to 60 months duration, between £250,000 - £650,000 in value are available.
  • We plan to invest up to £650,000 across 1-2 awards.
  • For further details on what you can apply for, please see the associated guidance document.

How to apply

  • Applicants are invited to submit applications through Grant Tracker, where the form is available.
  • There is a one-stage application process.
  • Applicants must carefully read the call document, the application form and guidance document before starting an application.
  • Please ensure that the most appropriate language is being used in each section of the form and that the correct sections are completed.
  • The deadline for the receipt of applications is 16:00 on Wednesday 23 July 2025. Please allow time for management of appropriate reviewers and signatories to access the Grant Tracker system and provide their approvals. Submissions after 16:00 will not be accepted.
  • If you have any questions about the call, please email: awards@versusarthritis.org