What is the RDS?
The Research Design Service (RDS) is part of the infrastructure of the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). The RDS - South West is one of several regional services around the country making up the national RDS.

The RDS exists to provide help for people preparing research proposals for submission to peer-reviewed funding competitions for applied health or social care research. The RDS essentially consists of a team of people based in universities and the NHS across the South West, able to advise and provide practical support when you are developing your grant application. As the RDS is funded by the NIHR for this purpose, such help is provided free of charge.

Who can use the RDS?
The RDS will provide advice to NHS researchers, and others working in partnership with the NHS, who are developing an application to a suitable funding body. Priority will be given to NHS researchers applying to NIHR funding schemes.

How does the RDS work?
Advice and support is best provided face-to face. RDS staff will be happy to meet with you at a convenient time and place to discuss your research. You may want an RDS consultant to become a full collaborator in the research, involved in drafting sections of the proposal, but that is not always necessary. At an appropriate time, you may be advised to involve other collaborators, for example, patients, other clinicians, or methodologists with specific expertise.

RDS staff will do their best to help you with your application in a timely and pleasant manner. We work in accordance with the RDS Charter, available here.

The RDS: supporting researchers
to develop high quality research proposals

To contact us, telephone or e-mail:

The RDS-SW Co-ordinating Centre:

The Old Building
Musgrove Park Hospital
Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5DA
Tel: 01823 342792
Email: rds-sw@tst.nhs.uk

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