In April 2021, Autistica announced the launch of a three-year partnership with the National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) to fund research focused on autism and social care. Autistica will seed fund researchers to enable them to develop high-quality, community-informed research proposals for NIHR’s Research for Social Care call for projects focusing on autism.
Award summary
Autistica is inviting research proposals for their social care development awards 2023, which enable researchers to develop high-quality research proposals to submit to the NIHR’s Research for Social Care Call (RfSC). Projects will focus on important, under-researched areas of social care provision accessed by or impacting autistic adults. They will help researchers to refine and strengthen RfSC proposal ideas, plans and objectives.
Award funding
Up to two projects will be funded up to a total value of £20,000. This grant funding will cover direct costs associated with research expenses, materials and dissemination of outputs but will not cover indirect costs related to existing salaries or estates costs.
How to apply
We encourage researchers from a range of backgrounds, including early career researchers, with the support of an experienced, multidisciplinary team. Additionally, the lead investigator must:
- Hold a PhD or similar qualification
- Be based at an eligible UK institution
- Hold continuous employment with the host organisation for the award duration.
Click here for full guidance.
All applications must be made through the Autistica Grant Platform by 11:59 pm, on Sunday 11 June 2023.
If you have any questions, contact Charlotte Featherstone, Research and Partnerships Manager at charlotte.featherstone@autistica.org.uk.
Previously funded projects
Autism and addiction
With Dr Sally Adams
A project that identified key issues when autistic people access drug and alcohol services.
Find out moreAutism and social prescribing
With Dr Kerryn Husk and Charlotte Featherstone
A project that explored the potential for embedding social prescribing into social care pathways.
Find out moreAutism and aging
With Dr Mary Stewart
A project that identified priority areas and issues relating to older autistic people and social care
Find out moreAutism and homelessness
With Dr Georgia Lockwood-Estrin
A project that aimed to develop an Autism and Homelessness toolkit and training package through stakeholder workshops
NIHR's Research for Social Care
This annual call funds research which generates evidence to improve, expand and strengthen the way adult social care is delivered for users of care services, carers, and the public. Contracted institutions must be in England but can have partnerships with or sponsorship from institutions within the UK. Applications through Research for Social Care should demonstrate strong links to people with social care needs, to social care service users and carers, and to organisations which provide adult social care services.
To find out more about NIHR eligibility criteria please visit the NIHR website and the Research for Social care call page.
Our Grant Development Awards and NIHR Research for Social Care partnership is made possible by the generous support of CareTech Foundation.