Speaker: Prof. Kevin Munro, Director for NIHR Research for Patient and Public Benefit (RfPB) programme

Title: The importance of Patient Public Involvement and Research Inclusion in research projects: the expectations of grant funders

To watch this webinar, please click on the recording of PPIE and RI in grant applications.

Introduction

The SHS PPI (Patient and Public Involvement) & EDI (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion) Seminar held on 6 June 2025, led by Prof. Kevin Munro, provided a comprehensive overview of the evolving expectations around inclusivity in health research. The session emphasized the strategic importance of embedding PPI and research inclusion (RI) across all stages of the research lifecycle, aligning with the latest directives from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).

The Strategic Role of NIHR

Prof. Munro highlighted the NIHR’s pivotal role in shaping UK health research through its 12 funding programmes, including RfPB, HTA, and PGfAR. These programmes are increasingly prioritizing:

• Patient and Public Involvement (PPI): Active collaboration with patients and the public in shaping research.
• Research Inclusion (RI): Ensuring research benefits all segments of the population, especially underrepresented groups.

Embedding PPI in Research

• Involvement: Co-designing research, participating in advisory groups, and conducting interviews.

Benefits of PPI

• Enhances relevance by grounding research in lived experience.
• Identifies priorities of underrepresented communities.
• Improves research design and implementation.
• Builds trust and relationships with community groups.

Institutional Commitment

NIHR has embedded PPI into its application processes since 2006. Recent strategic commitments (2024–2030) aim to make public partnerships more diverse, inclusive, and impactful. All NIHR funding applications must now detail:

• How PPI has shaped the study.
• Future plans for involvement.
• Required resources and budget allocations.

Addressing the Reporting Gap

Despite NIHR’s leadership, reporting of PPI in scientific publications remains low. Prof. Munro presented findings from a 2024 audit of RfPB-funded studies, revealing that PPI is often underreported, limiting shared learning and obscuring its impact.

Proposed Solutions

• Mandatory PPI reporting in all NIHR-funded publications.
• Encouraging journals to adopt PPI reporting standards (e.g., GRIPP2).
• Use of supplementary files to elaborate on PPI contributions.

Advancing Research Inclusion:

What is Research Inclusion?

Research inclusion ensures that:

• Studies are relevant to all population groups.
• Barriers to participation are actively addressed.
• Diverse communities are engaged throughout the research process.

Policy Shifts

As of 2024, inclusive research design is a condition of funding across all NIHR programmes. Applications must now:

• Demonstrate inclusive practices across the research lifecycle.
• Justify recruitment strategies for underserved groups.
• Include RI-related costs and training plans.

Evaluation and Support

• RI is now a formal review criterion.
• Bespoke training and toolkits (e.g., RSS EDI Toolkit) are available to support researchers.

Practical Insights from the Seminar

The Q&A session offered valuable insights into the practicalities of implementing PPI and RI:

• Budgeting: Attendees inquired about recommended budget allocations for PPI and RI. While it varies by project, integrating these costs early in the planning phase is essential.
• Funding for Pre-Award PPI: Prof. Munro and colleagues noted that the SHS offers dedicated PPI funds to support early-stage public involvement in research design.
• Aligning with Policy: Participants were directed to NIHR and DHSC websites for up-to-date strategic priorities.

Conclusion

Prof. Munro’s seminar emphasised a paradigm shift in UK health research: from tokenistic involvement to meaningful, measurable inclusion. As NIHR continues to lead this transformation, researchers are called to embed PPI and RI not as add-ons, but as integral components of rigorous, ethical, and impactful research.

SR-EDI webinar summarised by Copilot  – for details please watch the recording of the webinar. 

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