Frequently Asked Questions

Public health research and stakeholders

2.1 Who are the customers of the Public Health Research programme?
2.2 Who are the other stakeholders in the programme?
2.3 What is the Programme Advisory Board?
2.4 What is the Research Funding Board?
2.5 Are the decisions of the Board made public?
2.6 How are members of the public involved in the programme?

2.1 Who are the customers of the Public Health Research programme?
Potential customers of the programme include decision-makers in local government, primary care organisations and other local public services, third sector organisations and certain relevant national agencies (e.g. NICE) concerned with improving public health and reducing health inequalities.

2.2 Who are the other stakeholders in the programme?
Other stakeholders include researchers, public health practitioners and the public.

2.3 What is the Programme Advisory Board?
The Programme Advisory Board (PAB) is a group of 15-20 senior advisers bringing together some of the programme stakeholders. It advises the Programme Director on the identification and prioritisation of research topics and on the development of the programme. It also reviews the public health need for potential topics and in this way also influences the areas selected for themed calls. It is chaired by the Programme Director and meets three times a year.

2.4 What is the Research Funding Board?
The Research Funding Board (RFB) is a multidisciplinary group of senior researchers with expertise in the evaluation of public health interventions. Its role is to advise the Programme Director on the selection of applications for funding. The Research Funding Board is chaired by the Programme Director and meets three times a year.

2.5 Are the decisions of the Boards made public?
Yes, a summary of the decisions of the Boards are available on the Public Health Research programme’s website at http://www.phr.nihr.ac.uk/boards/board_minutes_outcomes.asp

2.6 How are members of the public involved in the programme?
Involving members of the public in research is important in finding out what questions they want answered, and how acceptable new ideas and possible interventions are to them.  Members of the public are involved at various stages in the research process, from making a suggestion for research via the Public Health Research programme’s website, to providing an assessment of proposals received. To find out more visit our Get Involved pages.