The National Institute for Health and Care Research has announced it will be taking over control of the Better Methods for Better Research Programme, which will include increasing its overall budget and thus expanding the funding opportunities for high quality research.
The NIHR will take over from the Medical Research Council, although the initiative will remain a collaboration between the two organisations with the broad remit and approach staying the same.
The BMBR Programme ultimately looks to ensure that optimal methods are being used to enhance research – its portfolio includes the RECOVERY trial which enabled researchers to rapidly test multiple treatments for Covid-19. The programme has also improved how treatment insights can be measured using real-world data.
A new phase for BMBR
“This is an exciting next step for the BMBR Programme,” said Professor Danny McAuley, scientific director for NIHR programmes.
“It is a clear indication of NIHR’s commitment to funding research that underpins life-changing impact.”
Professor Patrick Chinnery, executive chair at the MRC, added: “BMBR has supported excellence in methodology research since its inception in 2008 and [the] MRC welcomes the matched increase in NIHR contribution to support the programme’s continuing impact.
“MRC remains committed to supporting methods research via BMBR and our other funding opportunities, and we are looking forward to working with NIHR in this new phase of the BMBR Programme.”
Harnessing long-term benefits
As well as increasing the overall funding for the programme, the NIHR is also set to conduct a complete review into BMBR next year in a bid to optimise future effectiveness.
In the short term, while the way BMBR is handled will mainly stay the same, researchers will need to apply through the NIHR now, which may entail some differences in the organisation's requirements on patient and public involvement, as well as research inclusion. Early-career researchers are still encouraged to apply.
The schedule for advertising funding opportunities will stay the same, with the next window for BMBR set to open next month.
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