For Staff, Service Users and Carers

A study investigating the psychological and biological risk factors associated with eating disorders via online questionnaires and a saliva sample.

Who can we include?

Anyone aged 16+, who have experienced an eating disorder, diagnosed or undiagnosed in their lifetime.

Survey Link:

Eating Disorders Genetics Initiative | EDGI UK

Contact: jamie.cunningham6@nhs.net

Participants will receive a £10 Love2Shop Voucher.

Who can we include?

Anyone aged 16-70

Currently in a psychotic episode which has lasted at least 2 weeks but no longer than 2 years in duration.

Contact:  b.pocol@nhs.net

For Staff, Service Users and Carers

A study investigating the psychological and biological risk factors associated with depression and anxiety via online questionnaires and a saliva sample.

Who can we include?

Anyone aged 16+, experiencing clinical levels of depression and/or anxiety-or have experienced these in the past.

Survey Link:

https://www.gladstudy.org.uk

 Contact: jamie.cunningham6@nhs.net

 medication for the treatment of a psychosis type illness. Treatment could be more effective and reduce side-effects if genetics are taken into consideration.

Who can we include?
People over 18, diagnosis of mental illness (such as depression, schizophrenia or bipolar disorder).

What will this involve?

A baseline visit with a researcher at home, or via zoom/video. And give a saliva sample for analysis. Your consultant will discuss with you the results & whether or not to alter your treatment as a result of this genetics report. A follow up with the researcher 3 months later. We will check on your wellbeing 3 months after this by reviewing your medical records.

Contact: myles.howard@nhs.net

General R&I Enquiries               01622 427 210

Email Sarah.dickens@nhs.net

Or please contact Magdalena Chambers on magdalena.chambers@nhs.net 07721 686 269

GCP is the agreed international standard for conducting clinical research.

Good Clinical Practice Training is needed for researchers conducting Clinical Trials of Investigational Medicinal Products (CTIMPs).

It’s also known as ICH GCP - The International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use (ICH) Guideline for Good Clinical Practice (GCP).

Managed by NIHR and funded by Health Education England (HEE), the ICA Programme supports  health and care professionals  (excluding doctors and dentists) to develop careers that combine research  with continued  practice and professional development (Clinical or Practitioner Academic careers).

The ICA Programme comprises four schemes that each support individuals at different stages of their research career:

• HEE Internship Scheme

• HEE/NIHR Pre-doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (PCAF) Scheme

• HEE/NIHR Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (DCAF) Scheme

• HEE/NIHR Advanced Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship (ACAF) Scheme

The purpose of the library service is to make sure crucial evidence and information is available and accessible when and where NHS staff need to use it. Their work supports decisions about patient treatments and care, funding, policy, research and innovation.

The KMPT dedicated Clinical Librarian can offer a range of library and knowledge service to meet the needs of KMPT staff. These include: Evidence searching, information skills training, journal clubs and reading groups, support with research projects, current awareness service and access to information and literature.

If you are a KMPT student or staff member and would like more information or to discuss how the Clinical Librarian Service can help you, please contact the team (Maria, Mary and Nikki): mtw-tr.clinical.librarians@nhs.net

Who can we include?

i.       <25 years

ii.       Meets criteria for Schizophrenia

iii. Meets NICE criteria for treatment resistance, defined as:

a.Previous trials of at least two different antipsychotic drugs with adequate adherence

b.At least 1 of these trials must be with a second-generation drug.

c.Failure to respond to NICE-recommended psychological treatment OR failure to engage in same.

iv.  Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) total ≥70

v.  Clinician Rating Scale [24] (CRS) >3

What will this involve?

For KMPT staff

Please keep the study in mind when seeing individuals within your service, once a potentially eligible participant is identified please discuss with our research team and their responsible clinician to consider whether the trial may be appropriate.  If agreed next steps can be taken to contact the patient.

For patients

Patients will be asked to read the information sheet, consider the trial and then attend a visit to discuss the trial and consent if they are willing (if they are willing but are not deemed to have capacity, a legal consultee can provide assent).

Researcher contact would take place at Baseline, week 2, 6 and 12. These visits involve assessments of medication use, adverse events, general health and questionnaires such as the PANSS and ReQol. The visits can be done in KMPT clinical spaces or the participants home.

After week 12, no more in person visits are required and the medication can be changed if deemed appropriate by the clinical team (for the treatment as usual arm, this can include being prescribed Clozapine or Lithium) and we will monitor the individual via medical records for a further 40 weeks.

Contact: myles.howard@nhs.net

These awards are intended to support individuals to build their research careers.

Applicants need to demonstrate a clear path in their career development and evidence of how this award will help them towards their research goals.

Further information is available here:

• More research opportunities unveiled in Kent, Surrey and Sussex (nihr.ac.uk)

• Webinar - https://arckss.glasscubes.com/share/s/n2uv2tim7boq7vpo6fcnnb3928

We plan to organise a meeting with ARC KSS to help you to gain further insight into the opportunities.

Interested ? Then please email (kmmh.researchdevelopment@nhs.net) and lets speak :)

If you would like more information about being a Staff Research Champion, please contact kmmh.research@nhs.net

With the work of nurses underpinned by evidence-based-practice, and with many interested in the benefits that research could provide, the world of research can be intimidating to those with no experience, or lack of confidence in the area.  The aim of the group was to create an informal setting for attendees to develop their research confidence and skills and allow like-minded individuals to get together to explore research through literature. 

 A survey of the effectiveness and impact of the group showed that attending  had led to an increase in the understanding of research terminology, and confidence in reading and discussing  research with peers.

CI: Professor Chris Fox, Uni of Exeter, Dr Jane Cross, Uni of East Anglia  

Sponsor: University of Exeter  

CareCoach (due to finish January 2027) is funded by the NIHR with the aim of adapting and testing the 'Partner in Balance' (PiB) carer support programme for use in the UK.  

PiB is an intervention developed in The Netherlands which supports carers using a blended care approach, combining online resources with support from a health professional ‘coach’.  The team have adapted PiB to the UK setting (what we call CareCoach).  The current trial is the final phase in the CareCoach research programme and aims to test the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of CareCoach in supporting family carers of people living with dementia in the UK. 

Trial design: This is a multicentre, mixed methods RCT comprising a parallel group (intervention vs control) with embedded qualitative sub-study to evaluate implementation.  

Inclusion:  

• Current family carer (e.g., informal, unpaid*) of a person living with dementia (all subtypes, diagnosed within the last 5 years) 1 

• 18 years or over  

• Living in the UK  

• Access to an internet-connected device with videoconferencing capabilities (camera and microphone)  

• Able to engage in a programme delivered in English (with the help of family interpreter if required)  

What we need to do as a site: Advertise the trial, screen, approach and collect consent to contact from carers. 

We will also train two members of R&I team as ‘coaches.  Either online or in-person, these coaches undertake an initial session with participants, provide remote assistance over the 8-week intervention and undertake a final session. 

If you are interested in being a PI for the study, or would like to know more, please contact: 

Alison.welfare-wilson@nhs.net 

The scheme aims to attract staff in registered healthcare, social work, and public health professions (not including doctors and dentists) into the full range of research careers from research delivery to academic.

There are two main funded schemes,

• innovative engagement programmes

• and funded Research Masters Studentships.

The course is designed to support training funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), National Health Service (NHS), other health and social care organisations for UK health and care professionals to equip them with an understanding of applied health and care research and its application in practice.

The Applied Health and Care Research MSc is studied over one-year full time or two years part time. The course is divided into two stages. Stage 1 comprises modules to a total of 120 credits and Stage 2 comprises a 60-credit Research project/report module.

Study will be a combination of taught lectures, seminars, self-directed learning, tutorials, and individual research projects.

•             Online tests, seminar participation and contribution, presentations, coursework assignments, seen/unseen exams, written examinations; dissertation; individual and team-based written project reports; individual reflective report.

The course is one taught day and some study days.

If you would like to apply – Please see the link below:

https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/preview/8aa6ec888ed5c42268379e9aacfaf5dab7a4a5d7

Link page to the CHSS information:

https://research.kent.ac.uk/chss/study-with-us/msc-applied-health-and-care-research/

We will examine the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of a physical activity intervention, compared to usual care alone in increasing physical activity levels.

People are randomly allocated to usual care, or to the Physical Activity intervention plus usual care. We will collect information about levels of physical activity at start and at 3, 6 and 12 months to see if physical activity has increased. Other outcomes relating to mental health and quality of life to be considered.

Who can we include?

People with SMI: (paranoid schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bi-polar disorder).

Over 18.

No primary diagnosis for drug/alcohol use.

Not doing more than 300 hrs physical activity per week.

Can speak English and consent.

What does it involve?

Study is 12 months.

All participants consented and randomised receive £20 cash at 3 months, 6, & 12 months follow-up.

A movement device must be worn for 10 days and questionnaires completed 4 times over 12 months.

Those in the Physical Activity group will meet once weekly for 18 weeks for 2 hours, physical activity and social time.

Contact: myles.howard@nhs.net

Any professional working with individuals with psychosis who are interested and able please contact Katherine for more information:katherine.beck@kcl.ac.uk

Research experience would be an advantage but not necessary

Literature Search and Review Resources

Communicating Research

Writing for Publication

KMPT Staff Publications

Costing a health and care research project: key elements to consider at grant application stage

Thursday 2 October 2025
11am - 12pm

Brighton and Sussex Medical School invite you to join them for a session focused on costing a health and care research project.

Learn how to appropriately cost a research project at grant application stage, consider all direct and indirect costs such as staff time, equipment, consumables, patient and public involvement and NHS or social care costs. Learn how to ensure that all costs are accounted for regardless of the funding source.

Facilitators: Anett Kiss, Research Manager and Debbie Coton, Research Manager from the Joint Clinical Research Office.

Sign up here >> https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/4aaf0783-4d09-4e46-8e92-54e2352d8de9@a900bb90-94fe-4658-8b34-dd72084c5064

You can apply for funding to take part in this 3-year programme, which allows protected time for research for 2 days a week.

The programme is open to registered nurses and midwives and AHPs working in England with experience in research leadership in health or social care at a local and/or regional level. See link here for more information Senior Research Leader Programme for nurses and midwives and allied health professionals | NIHR

Please do not hesitate to contact Chris, Clare or Dan in Research development team for further support and information kmpt.researchdevelopment@nhs.net

Apply now for our 2026 Residential Grant Development and Writing Retreat

Are you developing or writing a grant application for National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) funding?

Do you want some dedicated time and space to focus on it?

Apply for our Residential Grant Development and Writing Retreat taking place on Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 April 2026 at The Spa Hotel, Tunbridge Wells.

The National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex (ARC KSS) is pleased to offer a unique opportunity for individuals or teams to attend a fully funded, 3-day residential Grant Development and Writing Retreat in April 2026.

Benefit from dedicated time to rapidly progress your proposal and during the 3 days, access expertise and training on key skills for grant development.

You should be based in Kent, Surrey or Sussex and are intending to apply to any of the NIHR funding streams. You can apply as a team of up to 3 for project grants or as an individual for fellowship awards. You should be intending to submit an application within the next 12 months.

Successful applicants will be offered a free place at the retreat which will include food and accommodation, however, travel to and from the retreat must be met by the applicant.

Applications from researchers in the early stages of their career will be prioritised. Project teams applying should include a researcher in the early stages of their career.

Applications will be assessed according to: importance of the research idea for health and/or social care and relevance to Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex themes.

If you would like to apply for a place, please complete the short application form.

Deadline for applications: 5pm Friday 7 February 2026

If you have any queries, please contact the ARC KSS Academy

This is a study looking at the relationship between speech and language and cognitive function in healthy participants and different mental health disorders like depression and psychosis. Speech and language can play an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health disorders, this study further explores this, particularly over a longer period of time.

Who can we include?

Anyone between 18 and 60 years.

A DSM-5 primary diagnosis of Depression or Schizophrenia

Be able to read, write and speak the English language

Have normal or corrected to normal vision

What does it involve?

Screening telephone calls with a researcher and a doctor initially, then completing Part 1 of the study, which involves completing tasks remotely via a tablet device and a role play task via video call with researcher. An opportunity to complete part 2 and part 3 of the study.

Contact: sarah.noordally@nhs.net

This study is looking to find out whether a new blood test called p-tau217 can help find out whether or not someone has Alzheimer’s Disease earlier and more accurately. This blood test can be very accurate at detecting whether or not people have Alzheimer’s Disease changes in the brain and when used in addition to a clinical diagnosis can help increase the certainty of the diagnosis. The study is looking at how helpful this blood test will be for people seen in memory clinics.

Who can we include?

To take part, you must be:

•Age ≥ 50 years.

•Referred to NHS memory service

•Presence of a cognitive complaint

•History of progressive decline

•Objective evidence for impairment as evidenced by any of MMSE < 28, MOCA < 28, ACE-III < 90, RUDAS < 28 in an appropriate language.

•Alzheimer’s disease is a diagnostic consideration, with a presentation of either Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) or mild or moderate dementia

•Able to nominate a study partner who has regular contact (at least weekly)

What does it involve?

We will ask participants to provide a blood sample at the beginning of the trial, then they will be randomly allocated to receive the results of their blood test at either 3 months or 12 months. We will also collect information from participants at baseline, 3, 6, 12 and 15 months to find out if the blood test helps to diagnosis Alzheimer’s Disease better than current methods.

Contact: m.nundy@nhs.net

KMMH Staff Publications Repository

Now in its eighth year, we’re excited to welcome applications for the next cohort of the Research Champions Programme, beginning September 2026.

Delivered by Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust (KCHFT) R&D in partnership with the Centre for Health Services Studies (CHSS) at the University of Kent, this twelve‑month programme is designed for non‑medical health and care staff who are eager to grow their research knowledge, skills and confidence. It’s an excellent opportunity for anyone new to research and motivated to enhance evidence-based care.

What the programme offers

Participants will have the chance to:

·       🎓 Join a series of varied interactive workshops –hosted at the University of Kent’s Canterbury campus with access to resources

·       🔍 Complete a project helping to drive local evidence-based improvements – via a literature review on a practice-related topic of your choice 

·       🤝 Receive dedicated supervision from experienced CHSS researchers

·       🧩 Gain Masters, Level 7 credits – perfect for those considering further postgraduate study

·       🖼️ Create a conference poster to showcase your learning

·       🎤 Present your work at a final event to an invited audience

All applicants must have the support of their service management and have discussed funding options with their organisation.

📅 Application deadline: 5pm, 11^th June 2026
📧 For more information, to request a brochure and to apply: kchft.research@nhs.net

Seminars include:

Distributional Cost-Effectiveness Analysis: Quantifying Health Inequality Impacts and Trade-Offs

Date: 1-2pm 7th May 2026

Presented by Professor Richard Cookson

Co-design in Action: Developing Accessible Outcome Measures for Social Care Research

Date: 1-2pm 13th May 2026

Presented by Dr Stacey Rand and James Caiels

A Practical Introduction to Bayesian Methods for Clinical Research

Date: 2-3pm 3rd June 2026

Presented by Dr Michael Harhay

What is a Target Trial?

Date: 1-2pm 10th June 2026

Presented by Professor Ruth Keogh

What is a natural experiment? How can we use them to evaluate health interventions and policies?

Date: 1-2pm 24th June 2026

Presented by Dr Dan Lewer

If you require support in applying please contact clare.keys2@nhs.net

This is a single-stage, doctoral-level funding opportunity. It supports early career researchers to undertake a PhD by research. 

The Doctoral Award is a 3-year training award designed to support the career development of all health and social care professionals through PhD research.

The award supports research in any scientific discipline or sector that contributes to improving health, including public health and social care, within our remit for personal career development awards.

For clinicians, practitioners, and local authority applicants, 20% of the award can be dedicated to clinical or practice time.

A single Doctoral Award

Our simplified Doctoral Award now includes our Doctoral Fellowship, Doctoral Clinical and Practitioner Academic Fellowship and  Doctoral Local Authority Fellowship. 

What funding is available?

The Doctoral Award provides comprehensive funding to support you in undertaking a PhD by research. 

Funding covers: 

• the full salary of the award holder for the entire duration of the fellowship at the requested FTE. This includes the employer's contribution to National Insurance and superannuation

• costs for the approved research project

• associated conference fees up to £3,000

• costs for a suitable training and development plan which will lead to further professional development

• working with people and communities costs

• laptop or computer costs up to £1,000 

We no longer offer the Full Economic Costing (FEC) model for doctoral-level awards. You must enter all costs at 100%, regardless of the contracting organisation type. 

If your application is successful, we will review your budget in line with the funding committee’s recommendations and conditions to ensure value for money and alignment with NIHR requirements.

Further details on eligible costs and limits for this scheme can be found on the Doctoral Award page. For guidance on how to cost your application please see our finance guidance.

Eligibility

Visit the ‘Who can apply?’ section on the Doctoral Award page for full eligibility information.

To apply, you must:

• have prior research experience or training to prepare for a PhD and not already hold a PhD by research

• propose substantive employment with a recognised higher education institution (HEI), NHS body, local authority, or other publicly or third-sector funded health or social care provider in England.

  • if you are applying to the Addictions Healthcare Goals Programme partnership award, you must have an equivalent UK-wide contracting organisation in the devolved nations

  • if you plan to undertake clinical/practice time as part of your award, or your host organisation is not a HEI, a partner organisation must be listed in the application. If this is omitted, your application will not be eligible. Read more about choosing a contracting organisation

• if already registered for a PhD, you must not have been enrolled for more than 12 months full-time by the award start date

• your proposed research must be within our remit for personal career development awards

It is no longer a formal requirement to have a 1st class or 2:1, or equivalent, degree to apply for this scheme. It is at the discretion of the awarding PhD institution to ensure that the applicant has suitable qualifications to undertake a PhD by research. 

Please see here for more information, or contact research development team on kmmh.researchdevelopment@nhs.net

This is a study is exploring how circadian rhythms—such as sleep patterns, activity levels, and biological timing—relate to mental health outcomes.

We will be inviting patients to take part in the study if they have a diagnosis of Depression or Schizophrenia.

Who can we include?

Male and females aged between 18 and 55 years in the following groups:

-       Day time workers (i.e.9-5, mon-fri)

-       Shift workers (variable shift schedule)

-       Patients with DSM-5 primary diagnosis of Depression or Schizophrenia

What does it involve?

For 2 weeks during each of the 4 seasons (spring, summer, autumn, and winter), participants will:

-       Wear an actigraph and sensor

-       Fill in short daily questionnaires

-       Provide saliva samples on 3 days

Along with a quarterly Low field MRI Scan. Participant will receive £210 in vouchers for their participation.

Contact: myles.howard@nhs.net

Some antipsychotic medications have side effects that can affect the heart. Doctors use ECGs to understand how the heart is working and to ensure it is safe for the person to take these medications.

Who can we include?

Aged 18+ in any KMHH service where ECG machines are accessible

Patients prescribed or are due to commence an antipsychotic

Capacity to consent

What does it involve?

For KMMH staff

Staff are asked to refer patients meeting the above criteria who may be interested in this study to the Lead Clinical Researcher (details at the bottom of the page). The KMMH Research Team will be able to reach out to these clients if they have previously consented to be contacted about research (info available via the Information Sharing and Consent page on Rio).

For patients

1. Patients will be approached by a clinician or researcher while in hospital or at clinic visit – they will be given information about the study

2. Those who decide to take part will sign a consent form

3. They will have a 12 lead ECG performed on them. Immediately after, they will have a 6 lead ECG performed using the handheld portable device.

4. All participants will be asked to complete a short feedback questionnaire

5. Data will be collected from the patient’s medical notes by a clinician or researcher to confirm psychiatric diagnosis, medications and heart health history.

Contact: m.nundy@nhs.net

Enter our research poster competition for a chance to win a training bursary

Are you involved in applied health or social care research that is helping to make research more inclusive, equitable and collaborative?

As part of ARC KSS Research Week 2026, we are inviting researchers across Kent, Surrey and Sussex to enter our Research Poster Competition on the theme: Advancing Inclusive Research: Equity, partnership, and participation in applied research.

This is an opportunity to share your work with a wide audience, celebrate what has been achieved so far, and highlight how your project could help shape the future of applied health and social care research in our region.

Who can enter?

The competition is open to applied health and social care researchers working in Kent, Surrey and Sussex, including academics, health and care professionals, public health professionals, social care and social work professionals, and others supporting health and care research in the region.

What should your poster include?

Your poster should be clear and accessible for a wide range of audiences. It should include:

• an introduction to your project

• the aims and objectives

• what has been achieved so far

• the potential future impact of the work.

Why enter?

• Winner: £150 training bursary

• Runner-up: £100 training bursary

• All posters will be displayed during ARC KSS Research Week and featured on the ARC KSS website

• Entrants can apply to present their poster at a ViPER session during the ARC KSS Research Symposium, with up to six presentation slots available.

All entries will be judged during the Research Week Symposium on Thursday 17 September 2026 at the University of Kent, Canterbury.

Deadline for entries: 5pm on Friday 21 August 2026.

Ready to take part? Read the full competition guidance and submit your poster by the deadline.

You can also sign up to attend the in-person ARC KSS Research Symposium and see the poster entries on display.

Could you also please reshare where you can on social media:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7482416406639083520/

BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/arckss.bsky.social/post/3mqjqify2c22x

X: https://x.com/ARC_KSS/status/2076653585413050773

Many Thanks

Communications Team

NIHR Applied Research Collaboration Kent, Surrey and Sussex