NHSBT call for research proposals

Call for clinical research proposals on optimal use of blood components and their alternatives

NHSBT is committed to the use of evidence-based transfusion practice. To this end it funds high quality primary research designed to inform the best practice in transfusion medicine. We are now accepting outline applications for clinical research designed to inform best practice regarding the optimal use of blood components and their alternatives. Studies in all clinical areas relevant to the use of blood components (red cells, platelets, plasma, cryoprecipitate; not fractionated plasma products) or alternatives will be considered; however, priority for this call will be given to studies on the use of platelets for transfusion. This priority area has been identified by NHSBT’s appropriate and safe use of blood strategy group because of the rapid increase in use of platelets in hospitals and the high level of inappropriate use identified in the recent national audit of platelet transfusions in haematology.

The deadline for receipt of outline research proposals is 30th November 2012. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit a full proposal early in 2013, the deadline for which will be 31st March 2013. All applications will be subject to independent peer-review and scrutiny by NHSBT’s Research and Development Committee. It is anticipated that funding to commence an ethically approved study will be available from Spring 2014.

Funding is open to all research groups in England and outline application forms are available from here

Please feel free to contact Dr Nicholas Watkins (Assistant Director – Research and Development) or Professor Dave Collett (Associate Director Statistics and Clinical Audit) via NHSBT’s R&D Office (research.office@nhsbt.nhs.uk).

Guidelines for submission of outline proposals

Please submit completed forms to research.office@nhsbt.nhs.uk