Over the last few months, ARC KSS has been accepting applications from individuals seeking support to develop applied research projects in health and social care in Kent, Surrey and Sussex.
Seven Individual Development Awards (IDAs) have now been selected to start from 1 April 2021 and include: maternity care for people with learning disabilities, integrating HIV and mental health services and improving adult’s experience after returning home from hospital during COVID.
Click here for a full list of projects that have been funded.
IDAs are aimed to support individuals in the development of their projects and enable them to have the dedicated time to conduct any of the activities that will create change and make an impact in their local area(s). They are funded for one year, and must align with one or more of ARC KSS’s key themes.
Over the course of a year, individuals are expected to conduct any of the following activities:
- Small scale pilots or implementation projects
- Evidence synthesis - funding to support rapid synthesis of evidence that would be beneficial for care provision and service delivery.
Professor Sally Kendall, ARC KSS Career Development Lead, said:
“We are delighted to announce our very first cohort individual development awards. At ARC KSS we are keen to fund individuals who are working towards projects that show potential to influence change in practice for the better.
“By supporting individuals at an early stage of idea development, we hope to increase the support available for researchers who struggle with dedicated time to commit to developing their own research ideas or career.
“All projects selected have a clear path for evaluating the outcomes and benefits of an intervention or change in care that aligns with local priorities and has the potential to bring about positive change locally or regionally.”
Throughout the course of the year, ARC KSS will provide a bespoke programme of support to the applicants including an academic and/or health or social care professional mentor.
