## Purpose Submit a funding application to the NIHR Public Health Research (PHR) Programme for loneliness interventions research at University of Salford, building on the [[Salford SU Tackling Loneliness Strategy (TLS)]]. ## Research Team ### Confirmed Team Members - **[[Pam Qualter]]** - Professor of Developmental Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University. Loneliness research expert. *Confirmed January 2025* - **[[Helen MacIntyre]]** - PhD in social connection and loneliness in school-age children - ### Roles to Fill - **Health Economist** - CRITICAL. Pam identifying candidates. NIHR PHR requires economic evaluations through a "wider system lens" (not just NHS costs - includes university costs, student outcomes, social care, broader societal impacts) ### Upcoming Team Additions - **Lauren Birke** - To be introduced by Pam once in post ## Background The NIHR PHR Programme funds research that generates evidence to improve the health of the public and reduce health inequalities. They have a specific commissioned call (22/141) for "Interventions that impact loneliness" which aligns directly with our strategy. ## Funding Routes ### PHR Researcher-led Workstream - No upper funding limit - Applications can be submitted at any point - Rolling cut-off dates throughout the year - Two-stage assessment process (outline → full application) ### PHR Commissioned Call 22/141 - Loneliness Interventions Priority research areas that align with our strategy: - **Life transitions:** Evaluations of interventions targeted at transitions including change of university - directly matches our focus on students transitioning to university - **Place-based approaches:** Asset-based community development interventions - **Social prescribing:** Community Navigators and gateway services evaluation - **Broader interventions:** Evaluations of interventions not primarily aimed at loneliness but which may have an impact ## Potential Interventions to Evaluate From the Tackling Loneliness Strategy: 1. **Social prescribing service** - Creation of referral pathways for lonely students to access social activities 2. **Automatic opt-in to academic societies** - Pilot already successfully tested at Salford in May 2024, but not rolled out. 3. **Rafiki calls project** - Trained students contacting all first-year students individually 4. **Protected societies** - Bespoke communities for students with protected characteristics. But not rolled out yet. 5. Training and development for staff and students. Student work rolled out in previous years (2024?) however staff training not launched yet, beyond stakeholder analysis. ## Application Requirements Per NIHR guidance: - Involve service users/people with lived experience in design and planning - Include costed members from target audience on research team - Demonstrate relevance to decision-makers (include as costed team members) - Explain dissemination to policy makers, public health officers, charities - Ensure complementarity with other studies in this area - Strong theory of change approach ### Key Requirements from October 2025 Webinar - 5-page research plan (Arial 12, no character limit) - Logic model required as upload - Flow diagram for timelines/milestones - No letters of support at outline stage (mention stakeholder support in research plan instead) - Health economics through "wider system lens" - not just NHS perspective - Inclusive research is a condition of funding ## Strategic Fit Our strategy is well-positioned because: - ✅ Already draws on national survey data, academic research, and local Pulse Survey data - ✅ Focus on non-NHS public health interventions (university and SU-led) - ✅ University setting recognised as powerful context for health promotion - ✅ Data on high-risk groups (disabled students 24% vs 6% chronic loneliness) - ✅ Theory of change approach already committed in strategy - ✅ Robust evaluation framework planned ## Next Steps - [x] Contact [email protected] to discuss proposal suitability - [x] Identify academic research partners (University of Salford or elsewhere) - [x] Secure Pam Qualter's involvement (January 2025) - [x] Send Pam documentation on existing interventions and theory of change links - [x] Approach other SU CEOs about involvement (multi-institution approach) - [ ] Identify Health Economist (Pam to suggest candidates) - [x] Meet with Lauren Birke once in post (introduction via Pam) - [ ] Engage students as potential co-researchers - [x] Select specific intervention(s) for evaluation - [ ] Check current deadlines on NIHR funding opportunities page - [ ] Contact NIHR Research Support Service for application development support ## Key Meetings - **Next meeting with Pam**: Week commencing 23rd February 2026 ## Key Contacts - **NIHR PHR Programme:** [email protected] - **NIHR Research Support Service:** For application development support (England) ## Collaboration Resources - [OneDrive Shared Folder](link TBC) - Shared with team for collaboration ## Links - [NIHR PHR Programme](https://www.nihr.ac.uk/research-funding/funding-programmes/public-health-research) - [NIHR Loneliness Interventions Call](https://www.nihr.ac.uk/documents/22141-interventions-that-impact-loneliness/31815) - OmniFocus: omnifocus:///project/eziWFAtYoBK - Desktop folder: [[142.05 Submit NIHR PHR Loneliness Research Funding Bid]] --- ## Session Notes *Space for capturing progress and decisions* [[2025-12-15 PHR Commissioned Calls Webinar Summary]] [[2026-01-09 - Pam Qualter NIHR Bid Discussion]]