Working with the Research Support Service
The Research Support Service (RSS) provides a national network of experts who help researchers across England to develop competitive funding applications for health, public health, and social care research. The national service is delivered through 8 RSS Hubs, each a partnership of research organisations, groups and clinical trials units. In addition, the RSS has Specialist Centres with expertise in public health and social care research.
This document describes what you can expect from the RSS and what we expect in return to provide the best possible service.
RSS Hub Leicester and Partners
Our advice spans the full breadth of research specialisms, designs and funders. We particularly welcome researchers applying for fellowships and other personal awards; those developing studies involving under-researched/under-represented communities, fields and sectors; and teams undertaking translational research.
Once you have registered with us, we aim to respond within two working days. You will be assigned a small team of advisors to support the development of your application and be given access to your 'My Application' portal, where you can explore and use our full range of services.
We will:
- offer free advice on developing research funding and fellowship applications
- treat all discussions and information provided in confidence
- allocate advisors to coordinate support and provide guidance
- provide timely feedback on draft applications
- where appropriate, include our public contributors* as part of the support we provide to you
- where appropriate, include, with your consent, our partnership specialists as part of the support we provide you
- signpost to other helpful people, services, and resources
- help broker introductions to potential methodology collaborators to be costed into your project
- offer continuing post-award advice where needed
We can help by:
- identifying suitable funders for your research
- identifying possible gaps in your research team and suggest collaborators
- recommending appropriate methods and designs
- supporting literature reviews
- advising on and supporting public involvement in your research
- offering small awards to support public involvement work in the development phase of your project
- providing support to ensure your research is inclusive
- helping you to demonstrate the potential value and impact of your research
- suggesting ways that you can make your research more sustainable
- reviewing drafts of your application and plain English summaries to suggest improvements
- offering practice interviews for fellowships and other personal awards
Unfortunately, we cannot:
- support applications not intended for national peer-reviewed funding bodies
- provide supervision or informal support for students
- draft sections of funding applications
- provide public involvement development funding as a stand-alone service
- broker introductions to clinicians or study participants
- carry out any of the research proposed free of charge
To make the most of the RSS and to support the service, we ask researchers to approach us well in advance of application deadlines, familiarise themselves with the scope and eligibility of their intended funder, inform the RSS of the outcome of their applications, and provide feedback on our service through our post-advice surveys.
Please note: The RSS cannot and does not promote or endorse any application or intervention.
* 'public contributors' are lay people who work with us to support research teams, and who have an interest in health and care research and can provide public involvement advice.