Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) Programme Director

We are looking for a Programme Director for our Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR) Programme, to succeed Professor Marian Knight who reaches the end of their tenure on 31 May 2026.

The NIHR PGfAR funding scheme makes significant awards of flexible funding budget and duration. Since the Programme was established in 2006, 47 rounds have been completed, leading to over 340 awards, largely health care related but increasingly, public health and social care orientated. To view our current funded projects, please visit the NIHR funding and awards website.

The research is applied and relatively 'near-term', with an expectation of clear benefits to patients, service users, carers, and the health and social care systems. Further information can be found by visiting the Programme Grants for Applied Research website.

In parallel, the programme offers both seed funding and/or follow on funding for those researchers seeking to strengthen their research activities funded via its component Programme Development Grants scheme. Please refer to the NIHR Programme Development Grants web pages for more details.

This role is an honorary post and does not confer any employment status or any employment rights. You should have an agreement in writing of support from your employing organisation when applying.

If you believe passionately in inclusive evidence based care and want to make health, public health and social care services and organisations work better for service users, patients, and the dedicated staff and managers who provide care, and you have a strong track record in health and care services research, then this is the role for you. Leading this influential programme, as part of a wider group of NIHR programme directors, will allow you to work across the health and care sectors and alongside key influencers in government.

As Programme Director, you will have the opportunity to guide the strategic focus and evolution of the PGfAR Programme. You will have strategic accountability for the programme's research budget, working in co leadership with the NIHR Coordinating Centre (NIHR CC) and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) to maximise the value of the investment through the commissioned portfolio. You will be responsible for the overall scientific quality of the PGfAR Programme portfolio, and for probity of decision making. You will have oversight of the programme's portfolio of funded studies.

Alongside other programme directors you will be part of the NIHR research programmes senior leadership team. You will work collaboratively across programmes, and with other parts of NIHR and the DHSC, to maximise the strategic impact of not only the PGfAR Programme but NIHR's investment across the research programmes portfolio in the delivery of key priorities.

The right candidate will have proven experience of health care, although knowledge of public health and social care would be beneficial, as well as sound knowledge of research and development in the field of health, public health and social care. For this role, we are particularly interested in candidates with experience of working in primary care. They will have a good understanding of research methods relevant to the programme, excellent communication and negotiating skills, and proven ability to chair committees effectively.

This role is accountable to the Deputy Director of Research Programmes in the Science, Research and Evidence directorate at the Department of Health and Social Care.

Tenure and time commitment

The tenure for this role is 3 years in the first instance, to be reviewed at 2 years. In the context of ongoing programme development, this role may evolve as Programme Director roles are reorganised or consolidated. Depending on these changes, there may be potential to extend by up to 2 years to a total of 5 years by mutual agreement.

You cannot hold any other NIHR honorary role for the duration of the tenure, other than in exceptional circumstances.

The overall time commitment includes attending meetings, providing specific advice and undertaking background and planning work.

Key responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include:

• as part of the wider NIHR programme director group, working with the Scientific Director for Research Programmes and the DHSC Science Research and Evidence Directorate senior management team to drive the strategic evolution and profile of both the PGfAR Programme and the wider programmes portfolio. This will include working collaboratively with other parts of the NIHR considering not only the PGfAR Programme budget but also the overall NIHR programmes budgetary limits as well as the wider policy framework
• setting the scientific direction of the PGfAR Programme, including the balance of its content, relevance and responsiveness to the needs and priorities of the wider health, public health and social care system and DHSC, including the need to ensure that research funded by the PGfAR Programme crosses health, public health, primary, secondary and social care borders, where appropriate
• promoting the PGfAR Programme, and the NIHR more generally, within the wider research and practitioner communities, with a particular view to maximising the impact of PGfAR Programme projects on health and care policy and practice, in turn driving positive impacts on individuals and populations
• supporting the commissioning of research to address strategic priorities
• advising the NIHR on all matters related to the programme and associated areas of interest
• playing a key role in developing the profile of NIHR research programmes and the wider NIHR through significant external liaison and ambassadorial activities
• maintaining relationships with PGfAR contract holders and related stakeholders
• providing strategic oversight, through the NIHR CC and in conjunction with DHSC, to ensure the quality and transparency of the procedures adopted for commissioning and managing projects are maintained, to drive maximum impact and value for money
• chairing the PGfAR Governance & Strategy meetings
• you will be expected to:
  • play a role in developing the profile of the research programmes through DHSC and/or NIHR strategy groups and significant external liaison
  • represent the PGfAR Programme on the NIHR Strategy and Engagement Board and other key NIHR fora
  • maintain a watching brief on the PGfAR portfolio; making recommendations to the DHSC on variations to contract requests, meeting research teams to review progress and making decisions on project closures where applicable
  • attend activity update meetings with the NIHR CC on a regular basis, to provide advice and receive information to support your role
  • respond to and implement new NIHR and DHSC policies, ensuring compliance in the delivery of your responsibilities as a Programme Director
  • have a strong commitment and drive to promote equitable and inclusive practices

What you will bring to the role

We are looking for a skilled professional with a background in health and care research; although not essential, familiarity with public health and/or social care would be beneficial. You should have strong communication and leadership skills, and experience or an understanding of research commissioning.

Other essential key skills, qualifications and experience include:

• knowledge of the NIHR and a good understanding of the health and care landscape
• demonstrable leadership experience relevant to the programme
• willingness to be flexible, as your portfolio may change over time in the context of the ongoing development of NIHR Research Programmes
• a strong commitment to promoting research inclusion in all aspects of programme activity
• the ability to communicate efficiently and effectively
• discretion in the handling of confidential information
• a proven track record of research leadership and familiarity with processes for securing and delivering high quality research
• a strong commitment to supporting patient and public involvement (PPI) as a core value throughout the programme
• experience of maintaining and creating new, complex relationships
• proven experience of chairing committees
• the ability to interpret budget information effectively

General requirements:

• the capacity to dedicate time to the PGfAR Programme, including attending meetings (for example, x 6 day funding committees (both PGfAR and PDG), x3 PGfAR shortlisting meetings, 4x NIHR Strategy and Engagement Board etc) and preparation work, and post award activity
• willingness and ability to travel regularly to London and other locations across the UK to attend in person meetings and engagements as required
• the capacity to work within the wider NIHR including, if required, representing NIHR at national and international level