NIHR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Transcription

1 NIHR BIOMEDICAL RESEARCH CENTRES FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS This note provides the answers to Frequently Asked Questions relating to the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) funding scheme, and is intended to supplement the guidance document NIHR Biomedical Research Centres Invitation to Submit Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire. These Frequently Asked Questions will be updated when significant new questions/queries are submitted so applicants are advised to check the NIHR website frequently for the latest version (as indicated by the date and version number). Date: 18 December 2015 Version 1.0

2 DEFINITIONS AND SCOPE 1. How does DH/NIHR define translational research and the type of work which should be included within applications for Biomedical Research Centres? The NIHR Biomedical Research Centre scheme funds people- and/or patient-focused early translational (experimental medicine) research, the aim of which will be to translate discoveries from basic/discovery science into clinical research, and through to benefits for patients, the health system and for broader economic gain. The expectation is that once NIHR BRC-funded research has been undertaken to demonstrate proof of concept or feasibility, then other sources of funding would be found for the later phase clinical research (for example later than phase II). Animal research is not eligible for funding under this scheme. 2. Will there be a new, open competition for NIHR Biomedical Research Unit designation and funding in the future? Under this infrastructure funding competition, the NIHR Biomedical Research Unit nomenclature is not being used. Successive funding rounds of NIHR Biomedical Research Unit funding has resulted in the delivery of substantial world-class research capacity and critical mass in identified priority areas over the period of NIHR Biomedical Research Unit designation and funding. As such the distinction between Biomedical Research Centres and Biomedical Research Units has become less valid. All NHS organisations in England in collaboration with their University partner will be eligible to apply for NIHR BRC designation and funding. BRC RESEARCH THEMES AND CROSS-CUTTING THEMES 3. Can an NHS/University Partnership with an existing NIHR BRC or BRU apply for funding for a new NIHR BRC which supports the existing BRC/U s research themes/area plus additional Research Themes? Yes - An NHS/University Partnership with an existing NIHR BRC or BRU may apply for new NIHR BRC designation and funding for the five years from 1 April They are eligible to apply for one or more BRC Research Themes, and any Cross-cutting Themes if applicable, that directly align(s) to their current NIHR BRC/U designation and funding. The proposed BRC Research Themes within the new application may be exactly the same as the current Research Themes (or Research Areas for a current BRU) for which they receive funding, or a reconfiguration of their current Research Themes/Areas, but focussing on the same clinical as the existing NIHR BRC/U. These NHS/University partnerships can also apply for additional Research Theme(s) relating to any new clinical and/or Highlighted areas, for which they do not currently receive NIHR BRC/U funding. NHS/University partnerships with an existing NIHR BRC or BRU focused on a single clinical area, can apply for additional Research Theme(s) for up to 1 million per annum per Theme, provided the new proposed Research Theme(s) have a substantially different clinical focus to those current Research Themes/Areas for which they are currently designated and funded. Annex A provides an illustration, for demonstration purposes only, of possible Research Theme combinations for applications. 4. How does the DH/NIHR define a Cross-cutting Theme? Cross-cutting Themes will facilitate and bring additional strength and depth to a number of the proposed NIHR BRCs Research Themes; rather than being a stand-alone Research Theme. By way of example these may include, but are not limited to: funding to support clinical research facilities, imaging, stratified medicine, informatics, omics capabilities or tissue and call manipulation capabilities. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 2

3 A list of any proposed Cross-cutting Themes and indicative costs will need to be provided at the PQQ stage if applicants intend to include these in the proposed NIHR BRC. However, the full details of any Cross-cutting Themes will only be considered at the full application stage. CLINICAL AND HIGHLIGHTED AREAS 5. What are clinical areas as referred to in the guidance Clinical areas may be areas such as cancer, cardiovascular, child health/paediatrics, dementia, diabetes, gastroenterology, geriatrics/ageing, hepatology, infection, mental health, ophthalmology/eye diseases, women s health etc. 6. What clinical and research areas can be included within a PQQ application? Applications for NIHR BRC designation and funding may be made in any clinical area where the applying NHS/University partnership can demonstrate the highest levels of both existing research excellence internationally across a substantial portfolio and existing critical mass for any particular proposed BRC Research Theme. In addition, as part of the new designation and funding of NIHR BRCs, a number of clinical areas of particular strategic importance to the health of patients are being Highlighted. 7. What are Highlight Areas? The Department of Health has Highlighted a number of clinical areas of particular strategic importance to the health of patients and the public. In identifying these Highlighted areas, the Department has taken into consideration disease burden, unmet clinical need and existing levels of research spend. We welcome applications from NHS/University Partnerships which can demonstrate the highest levels of both existing research excellence internationally and critical mass in these, and indeed any clinical area. As such funding will not be limited to or ring-fenced for these Highlighted areas. 8. Will applications addressing Highlighted areas be prioritised over those in other clinical areas? Given the importance of the Highlighted areas for patients and the NHS, the Department of Health would welcome applications from NHS/University partnerships with research excellence and critical mass in these fields, and would like to see designated and funded NIHR BRCs with Research Themes addressed the clinical areas Highlighted. However, to be funded, all applications will need to demonstrate appropriate quality as judged against published selection criteria by the International Selection Panel. The selection criteria are the same for all applications of NIHR BRCs. The total number of NIHR BRCs, including those with Research Themes addressing the Highlighted areas, will be determined by the quality of the applications, in light of the need not to spread the funding too thinly. 9. You do not make any reference to cancer in the Highlighted areas; can applications for NIHR BRC include a focus on cancer? Yes Applications for NIHR BRC designation and funding in this new, open competition may be made in any clinical area where the NHS/University partnership can demonstrate the highest levels of both existing research excellence internationally across a substantial portfolio and existing critical mass. As is currently the case for NIHR BRC funding, this may include cancer. The Department of Health has Highlighted a number of clinical areas of particular strategic importance to the health of patients and the public. In identifying these Highlighted areas, the Department has taken into consideration disease burden, unmet clinical need and existing levels of research spend. However, NIHR BRC designation and funding will not be limited to these Highlighted areas and, as described above, applications can be made in any clinical area. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 3

4 ELIGIBILITY AND FURTHER CONDITIONS 10. Are organisations in the Devolved Administrations eligible to apply for funding? No The scheme aims to provide NIHR BRC funding for NHS/University partnerships in England. Athena SWAN 11. Will our BRC application be shortlisted if our university partner does not have Athena SWAN silver status? The Department of Health has stated that in this competition for NIHR BRC designation and funding it does not expect to shortlist and NHS/University Partnership where the academic partner 1 has not achieved at least the Silver Award of the Athena SWAN Charter for Women in Science. To implement this policy, the application will need to state the academic partner with which the proposed Director is associated, and the academic partner with which each Research Theme Lead is associated with, and provide confirmation of whether it has achieved at least the Silver Award. Applications where the proposed NIHR BRC Director is associated with an academic partner that has achieved at least the Silver Award will be eligible for consideration for shortlisting by the International Selection Panel. Similarly, those Research Themes where the proposed Theme Lead is associated with an academic partner that has achieved at least the Silver Award will be eligible for consideration for shortlisting by the International Selection Panel. In cases where the academic partner does not hold at least the Silver Award, those applicants should outline their engagement with the Equality Challenge Unit, providing details of any current application in process (including dates of submission). Those with an application in process, where the outcome is unconfirmed at the time of PQQ submission, will be eligible for consideration for shortlisting by the International Selection Panel. Those without an application in process will not be eligible for consideration by the International Selection Panel. 12. How do you define the academic partner for the proposed Director or Research Theme Lead? The academic partner will be, for example, the Faculty, College, School, Department, Division or Institute where the named individual has a substantive contract of employment or an appropriate relationship such as an honorary contract. 13. Although the proposed Director and Research Theme Leads must be from an academic partner with a Silver Award of Athena SWAN, to what extent is it permissible to involve researchers from, or pass funds onto, others which do not have this status? There are no current restrictions on this. However, the Department of Health hopes that NHS/University partnerships will embrace the spirit and ethos that the Athena SWAN charter and awards are aiming to achieve. Therefore it is hoped that all academic partners associated with NIHR BRCs will achieve at least silver level Athena SWAN. 1 An academic partner might be, for example, a Faculty, College, School, Department, Division or Institute. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 4

5 Data Exclusivity 14. Why is the Department prohibiting data exclusivity deals? Publically-funded research, and the data generated by it, should be made available for reuse as a matter of policy. This means that any deal which results in exclusivity to one party cannot be entered into by NHS/University partnerships hosting NIHR BRCs. 15. Why should data be made available for reuse on an unrestricted basis? Government policy is that publically-funded research that generates data should be publically available for reuse on a managed access basis, but not exclusively to one organisation. The Government support transparency in research and is committed to open publication of research results and managed access of data generated thereof. Translational Research Collaborations 16. Do you intend to continue to support the NIHR BioResource? Yes The NIHR will continue to support the NIHR BioResource and additional dedicated funding for activities will be made available following the confirmation of NIHR BRC designation and funding. 17. Do you intend to continue to support the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations (TRCs) and NIHR Translational Research Partnerships (TRPs)? Yes The NIHR will continue to support these initiatives although the nomenclature of the TRCs and TRPs will be aligned from 1 April 2017, as follows: NIHR Translational Research Collaboration Rare Diseases; NIHR Translational Research Collaboration Dementia; NIHR Translational Research Collaboration Inflammatory Respiratory Disease; NIHR Translational Research Collaboration Joint and Related Inflammatory Diseases. 18. How will NIHR BRC participation in each of the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations be determined? How can proposed NIHR BRCs become members of the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations? At full application stage, the open competition for NIHR BRC designation and funding will review and determine which NHS/University Partnerships have the appropriate capacity, expertise and focus to participate the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations. Shortlisted NHS/University Partnerships that are eligible to submit a full application, with relevant Research Themes, will be asked to describe how they will support the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations relevant to these proposed Research Themes and NIHR BRC if designated. Further details of the information that will be required for the full application for each Translational Research Collaboration is outlined in Annex 2 of the guidance document: NIHR Biomedical Research Centres 2016 Invitation to Submit Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire. 19. Will there be any additional funding for the Translational Research Collaborations? Additional dedicated NIHR funding for activities within the NIHR BioResource and NIHR Translational Research Collaboration Rare Diseases, will be made available following confirmation of NIHR BRC designation. There will be no additional dedicated NIHR funding for the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations for Inflammatory Respiratory Disease or Joint and Related Inflammatory Diseases. As such, NHS/University Partnerships applying for NIHR BRC designation and NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 5

6 funding, with relevant Research Themes, will, at full application, need to outline the resources (drawn from the proposed NIHR BRC award and/or other resources available to the partnership) and expertise that will support their contribution to the collaboration. 20. If our NHS/University partnership is not designated and funded for a Research Theme relevant to the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations will there be an opportunity to apply for membership at a later stage? Yes in Inflammatory Respiratory Disease and Joint and Related Inflammatory Diseases. For these areas, following conclusion of the NIHR BRC new open competition, the Department of Health will assess the level of research capacity, capability and expertise within the designated and funded NIHR BRCs to deliver the required programmes of early translational (experimental medicine) research within the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations in Inflammatory Respiratory Disease and Joint and Related Inflammatory Diseases. If it is decided that additional capacity is required, then the Department of Health may run a process to invite Centres other than NIHR BRCs with significant relevant capacity, capability and expertise to apply for membership. For the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations in Inflammatory Respiratory Disease and Joint and Related Inflammatory Diseases, the Department considers participation of Centres throughout the UK to be important. As currently, participation in the NIHR Translational Research Collaborations for Rare Diseases and Dementia will be limited to only NIHR designated and funded BRCs. Clinical Research Facilities 21. Can an NHS organisation apply for CRF funding through the NIHR BRC and NIHR CRF competition? Yes, providing there is no double counting in applications. A competitive process to renew and refresh NIHR funding for Clinical Research Facilities (CRFs) will be held in Through this competitive process, NHS organisations will be eligible to apply for NIHR funding for CRFs for dedicated purpose-built facilities that support world-class experimental medicine research to translate scientific advances into benefits for patients. In addition, NHS/University partnerships applying for BRC designation and funding are eligible to apply for a Cross-cutting Theme for clinical research facilities which would directly support the work programme of the proposed NIHR BRC. An NHS organisation submitting an application for NIHR BRC designation and funding, with a Cross-cutting Theme for clinical research facilities, may also submit an application for NIHR funding for CRFs as part of the renew and refresh. However, an application for NIHR funding for CRFs must not include any costs simultaneously applied for through a NIHR BRC application or vice versa, i.e. double counting is not permitted. 22. If I apply for NIHR funding for a CRF as a Cross-cutting Theme within my BRC application, but the BRC application is unsuccessful, then how might I access NIHR funding to cover the NHS support costs for any externally funded early translational (experimental medicine) studies that are key components within my proposed BRC Themes? If you have included a proposed Cross-cutting Theme for clinical research facilities which includes NHS support costs for externally funded early translational (experimental medicine) studies but this is not successful, then the NHS organisation will be asked if you would like an appropriate proportion of your CRF Cross-cutting Theme application to be considered for funding as part of the separate (non-nihr BRC) renew and refresh of NIHR funding for CRF s for experimental medicine. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 6

7 MULTIPLE PARTNERSHIPS AND APPLICATIONS 23. Is it possible to have an NHS/University partnership constituting a number of NHS Trusts and/ or universities apply for NIHR BRC designation and funding? No. In order to ensure critical mass, focus, and clarity, the funding for each NIHR BRC will be awarded to a single NHS organisation working in partnership with a single University partner. However, it is permissible to involve other NHS organisations (or organisations from the independent sector providing NHS services) and other universities in the work of the proposed NIHR BRC, and pass funding to them via a subcontract. In these cases, there should, be good reasons for doing so, such as bringing strength and depth to the proposed Research Themes, and these should be justified in the full application. 24. Can a single NHS/University Partnership submit more than one application? No An important aim of the NIHR BRC funding is to support critical mass within NHS/University Partnerships, and strengthen and promote appropriate collaboration and sharing of expertise, facilities and technologies. Therefore, as in previous NIHR BRC open competitions; each NHS/University Partnership may submit a single application for NIHR BRC designation and funding at Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire stage. 25. Can a University partner with more than one NHS Organisation, or vice versa? Yes In line with previous NIHR BRC open competitions, Universities which are acting as the academic partner in one NIHR BRC application may partner with a different NHS organisation to submit a different Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire, provided that they can demonstrate an existing, strong partnership with this NHS organisation. The Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire must not include any research activity already being used to support an application for another NIHR BRC. Likewise, NHS Organisations which are acting as the NHS partner in one NIHR BRC application may partner with a different University to submit a different Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire, provided that they can demonstrate an existing, strong partnership with that University. The Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire must not include any research activity already being used to support an application for another NIHR BRC. SELECTION PROCESS Assessment and Performance Management 26. What will the Selection Panel be looking for? To make recommendations on NIHR BRC designation and funding the Selection Panel will use the selection criteria outlined in the application guidance documents: NIHR Biomedical Research Centres Invitation to Submit Pre-qualifying Questionnaire.doc 27. When will the Selection Panel review the full stage BRC applications? The International Selection Panel will review full applications in the week commencing 18 July Interviews for shortlisted NHS/University partnerships at Cumberland Lodge, near Egham mainline station. Further details will be available following shortlisting stage. 28. Will a workshop be held for the short-listed Biomedical Research Centres and Units partnerships? Yes, a workshop for short-listed NHS/University partnerships will be held. The details will be confirmed as soon as possible. At the workshop shortlisted applicants will have the opportunity to have any queries answered. Please note two people maximum per NHS/University partnership will be permitted to attend the workshop. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 7

8 29. What are the possible outcomes from the Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire? All eligible NHS/University Partnerships PQQ s will be considered by an International Selection Panel. The Panel will make recommendations on which, if any, Research Theme(s) from the NHS/University Partnerships applications should be shortlisted, and therefore which should form the basis of the subsequent full application. These recommendations will be made on the basis of the published PQQ selection criteria. The possible outcomes from the PQQ are illustrated, for demonstration purposes only, in Annex B. FUNDING AND COSTS 30. How much funding is available in this competition? A total of up to 800 million over five years from 1 April 2017 is available for this round of NIHR BRC funding. The number of NIHR BRCs has not been determined in advance. The amount of funding allocated to each NIHR BRC will be determined by the scale, nature and quality of the research activity to be conducted by that NIHR BRC. 31. How much funding is an NHS/University Partnership without an existing NIHR BRC or BRU eligible to apply for? NHS/University Partnerships that do not currently hold an NIHR BRC/U award are able to apply for up to 1 million per annum per Research Theme. Those wishing to apply for any Cross-cutting Theme(s) will not be able to apply for additional funding to support these. As such, any costs associated with a proposed Cross-cutting Theme should be factored into the funding for proposed NIHR BRC Research Themes. For NHS/University Partnership without an existing NIHR BRC/BRU funding will be phased, with a maximum of 50% in the first year (2017/18) of up to 500,000 per Research Theme. This is because experience has demonstrated that it takes time for an NHS/University Partnership to create the correct structures and processes, and to recruit the appropriate staff, in the first year of an award. Annex A provides an illustration, for demonstration purposes only, of the funding NHS/University Partnerships are eligible to apply for. 32. How much funding is an NHS/University Partnership with an existing NIHR BRC or BRU eligible to apply for? NHS/University Partnerships currently in receipt of an NIHR BRC/U award, which wish to apply for NIHR BRC funding from April 2017, are eligible to apply for up to a total maximum annual budget that equates to their core costs 2 at 2015/16, to support Research Themes and/or any Cross-cutting Themes that are directly aligned to their current BRC/U designation and funding. Current NIHR BRC/U award holders should contact NIHR CCF directly to confirm the funding level they are eligible to apply for. These NHS/University Partnerships are also eligible to apply for up to 1 million per annum for each proposed new Research Theme in a new clinical or Highlighted area for which they do not currently receive support. Annex A provides an illustration, for demonstration purposes only, of the funding NHS/University Partnerships are eligible to apply for. 2 This would exclude additional funding awards such as those allocated for NIHR BioResource, Informatics, and Translational Research Collaborations. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 8

9 33. You ask for indicative costs on the Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire. Do you want the costs per annum or the total for the five-years of the award? Please provide the total indicative costs for the whole five-year period of the award. 34. Will new funding for capital projects be available during this competition? No new Department of Health capital funding will be available for NIHR BRCs as part of this current funding competition. Therefore, applications should only include research that can be undertaken within existing or planned facilities that the NHS Trust or University in the partnership is investing in alone, or with other external organisations with confirmed funding. Capital funding for equipment costing more than 5,000 will not be funded via the NIHR BRC award. 35. Can an NIHR BRC application include costs for local biosample storage? NHS/University partnerships will only be eligible to use NIHR BRC funding for long-term (greater than 3 months) biosample storage at the NIHR National Biosample Centre. NIHR BRC funding can be used for short-term biosample, handling, processing, dispatch and storage where there is a strong case which precludes the use of the NIHR National Biosample Centre, for example, on the basis of cost-effectiveness. WHAT OTHER INFORMATION WILL THE INTERNATIONAL SELECTION PANEL CONSIDER WHEN REVIEWING APPLICATIONS 36. The Department of Health has commissioned an independent bibliometric analysis. How will this be used in the review process? The Department of Health has commissioned an independent bibliometric analysis of all the publications in biomedical and health research in England, to identify those organisations which are associated with the greatest volume of highly cited publications in their field(s) in the world. The results have been published to assist all interested partnerships and to inform their decision about whether they wish to submit a PQQ to this scheme. The International Selection Panel will only recommend shortlisting applications from the highest performing NHS/University partnerships. The Selection Panel will use the information in the PQQ and the independent bibliometric analysis to inform this decision. If an NHS/University partnership considers that the bibliometric analysis commissioned by the Department of Health does not adequately reflect the volume and strength of their work, then they will need to provide information to support this, to be considered by the Panel. The Department of Health may make further information relating to research activity/capacity of NHS/University partnerships available to the Panel. 37. How will the information on recruitment to NIHR Clinical Research Network portfolio studies in 2014/15 be used in the review process? This data will be used, alongside the information provided by applicants, to give an indication of the partnerships research activity and culture within the NHS and University partner. In the interest of trying to minimise bureaucracy and burden for applicants, this information will be provided by NIHR CCF to the International Selection Panel. RESEARCH LEADS 38. Does the proposed BRC Director have to be an NHS employee or hold an honorary NHS contract? Directors of BRCs may be an NHS or university employee, with a proven track record in early translational (experimental medicine) research. In the case of University employees, the individual would need to have an appropriate relationship with the NHS partner to ensure proper governance and accountability, and likewise an NHS employee would need NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 9

10 to have an appropriate relationship such as an honorary contract with the University partner. 39. What is meant by the term Clinical Academic? A clinical academic is defined by responsibilities for research and clinical practice, with a substantive contract of employment with the University and an honorary contract with the NHS, or a substantive contract with the NHS and an honorary contract with the University. The total number of clinical academics working across the NHS/University partnership should be submitted in the PQQ application. 40. What is meant by the number of Research Active Staff? The number of research active staff is the total number of staff employed by the NHS organisation or by the University in the NHS/University partnership conducting early translational (experimental medicine) research. The number of research active staff should be provided as two separate numbers for each member of the partnership. 41. Can a BRC Director or BRC Research Theme Lead be on more than one application? Named Directors or Research Theme Leads may be included in more than one application, provided that the research/application can demonstrate a strong contribution and track record in the proposed Research Themes. However, Pre-Qualifying Questionnaires must not include any research activity already being used to support an application for another NIHR BRC. 42. Are BRC joint Directors or Research Theme Leads permitted? No, joint Directors and/or Research Theme Leads are not permitted within applications for NIHR BRC designation and funding. 43. How many words are required to provide the relevant information on the proposed Director and Research Theme Leads? 750 words maximum should be provided for the proposed Director and 500 words for each Research Theme Lead. EXTERNAL RESEARCH FUNDING 44. What external grant funding should be included in the supporting information template? NHS/University partnerships are asked to provide details of the external grant funding directly awarded to, and received by, the NHS/University partnership for research directly relevant to the proposed NIHR BRC Research Theme(s), from 1 January 2013 to 31 December You ask for the grant funding each year, do you mean the total income received during the year or the awards won during the year? NHS/University Partnerships should include all relevant research funding directly awarded to, and received, during the period, even if the date of the award was prior to 1 January Details of external research funding should only be submitted for research funding directly awarded to, and received by, the NHS or University partner named in the application, with details of the research funder, amount of funding awarded, title of the funding award, the principle investigator, start and end dates, and the relevant Research Theme. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 10

11 PUBLICATIONS 46. How many publications are to be listed in the application form? Partnerships are asked to include the top 75 peer-reviewed publications by the proposed Director and top 50 peer-reviewed publications for each proposed Research Theme Lead, published between 1 January 2004 and 31 December The Department of Health is committed to supporting researchers in diverse fields and with diverse career paths (including career breaks), and recognises that there are circumstances which impact on the total number of publications provided over the relevant period of clinical academic careers. Therefore, if you are submitting less than the requested number of publications please outline the reasons for this to ensure that your application can be judged appropriately. 47. Which types of publications are eligible for citing in NIHR BRC applications? Peer-reviewed publications are eligible for inclusion. 48. How will the information submitted on publications be used? The number and nature of publications produced by the NHS/University partnership provides an indication of the internationally excellent biomedical and experimental medicine research undertaken by the NHS/University partnership and by the named researcher. If an NHS/University partnership s proposed Research Theme(s) in the Pre-Qualifying Questionnaire application is/are recommended by the International Selection Panel for shortlisting, then the publication data submitted will be the subject of subsequent bibliometric analysis to inform the International Selection Panel s review of full applications. 49. Can the same publications be cited by more than one proposed Research Theme Lead within an application? The same publications can be cited by more than one named Director or Research Theme Lead if the publication is relevant to the proposed Research Theme within a single NHS/University partnership application, but not in more than one different application. 50. Does the researcher named in the application need to be either the corresponding or first author of publications cited in the supporting information? No, the named researcher (proposed Director or Research Theme Lead) does not have to be either the corresponding or first author of the publications cited. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 11

12 ANNEX A ILLUSTRATION OF POSSIBLE NIHR BRC APPLICATIONS Example 1: Three example alternative scenarios (A or B or C) for NHS/University partnerships, without existing BRC/U, applying for BRC designation and funding* * Please note that funding will be phased with 50% funding in the first year and full funding thereafter Example 2: Three example alternative scenarios (A or B or C) for NHS/University partnerships, with an existing BRU or BRC, focused on a single clinical area, applying for BRC designation and funding * Annual budget which equals the core costs at 2015/16. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 12

13 Example 3: Three example alternative scenarios (A or B or C) for NHS/University partnerships, with an existing BRC, applying for BRC designation and funding * Annual budget which equals the core costs at 2015/16. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 13

14 Example 4: Four example alternative scenarios (A or B or C or D) for NHS/University partnerships, with multiple existing BRUs, within the same NHS/University partnership, applying for BRC designation and funding * Annual budget which equals the core costs at 2015/16. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 14

15 Example 5: Four example alternative scenarios (A or B or C or D) for NHS/University partnerships, with an existing BRC and BRU, with the same NHS/University Partners, applying for BRC designation and funding * Annual budget which equals the core costs at 2015/16. NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 15

16 ANNEX B ILLUSTRATION OF POSSIBLE OUTCOMES FROM PQQ NIHR Biomedical Research Centres and Units Frequently Asked Questions Version 1 18/12/2015 Page 16