Awards

Successful translation of biomedical research into healthcare and public health benefits constitutes research impact that will be an important performance indicator in the Higher Education Council’s Research Excellence Framework (REF).Biomedical research at the University has a number of national strengths and is arguably top in the field. These include:

• the awarding of three National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Biomedical Units in 2008,  more than any other UK centre
• a Collaboration for Leadership in Applied Health Research and Care (CLAHRC) in mental health, children and young people, primary care, and stroke rehabilitation 
• the awarding of National Pain Centre status by the Arthritis Research Campaign in 2009

The major awards listed above, together with others secured by their research teams, have helped to rejuvenate the research environment in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and its interfaces with the Faculties of Science, Engineering, Social Sciences and Arts. Other large translational research awards secured by the University of Nottingham include:

• eight projects funded by a £2M Medical Research Council (MRC) Developmental Pathway Funding Scheme devolved Portfolio Award
• strategic MRC awards totalling £2M for development of  human and animal imaging studies
• Medical Research Council (MRC)/Arthritis Research UK (ARUK) award

Partnership opportunities

The Clinical Translational Research Priority Group will play an integral role in cultivating new and existing partnerships between the University and external organisations that have common objectives for supporting clinical translational research.  Current partners include the following.

National Institute for Health Research (NIHR)

NIHR have made major investments in translational research in Nottingham, towards which the University has made substantial contributions.

NHS Trusts

Nottingham University Hospitals (NUH) NHS Trust is a major translational research partner for the 3 BRUs, as well as NIHR Programme Grants and major charity-funded awards such as the ARUK Pain Centre, whilst the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) was created through a partnership between the University and Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust.

Institute of Mental Health (IMH) and the CLAHRC

The IMH and the CLAHRC  have established local NHS and international collaborations and partnerships.

Medical Research Council 

The MRC recognised Nottingham’s strengths in clinical research translation though its award of DPFS Portfolio and Strategic awards.

Charities

These fund many translational research projects and programmes in partnership with The University of Nottingham and NHS Trusts such as the ARUK Pain Centre and  the UK Clinical Research Collaboration (UKCRC) Centre for Tobacco Control Studies.

Industry

Many collaborative translational research projects at Nottingham are supported by industry from early stage discovery to clinical trials.