Strategic research collaboration for problem drug use and recovery in Scotland
Issue date:
1 November 2016
Deadline:
1 February 2017
Reference:
SFC/CI/07/2016
Summary:
This call invites Scottish higher education institutions (HEIs) and key stakeholders
to work together in developing a Research Collaboration on problem drug use.
FAO:
Principals, Vice Principals and Directors of Research in Scotland’s Universities.
Other key stakeholders.
Further
information:
Contact: Hazel McGraw
Job title: Policy Officer
Department: Research and Innovation
Tel: 0131 313 6657
Email: [email protected]
Scottish Funding Council
Apex 2
97 Haymarket Terrace
Edinburgh
EH12 5HD
T 0131 313 6500
F 0131 313 6501
www.sfc.ac.uk
Strategic research collaboration for problem drug use and recovery in
Scotland
Purpose
1.
This call invites Scottish higher education institutions (HEIs) and key
stakeholders to work together in developing a Research Collaboration on
problem drug use. This call will be managed by the Scottish Funding Council
(SFC) in partnership with the Scottish Government (SG).
Background
2.
In 2015 the Scottish Government, in collaboration with leading academics in the
drugs field, nationally commissioned organisations, NHS Health Scotland and
Information Services Division (ISD) Scotland, developed a Scottish National
Research Framework for Problem Drug Use and Recovery (the Framework). Its
aim is to further progress research into problem drug use, the common
comorbidities encountered with it and how individuals can recover from
problem drug use, while also addressing the associated wider issues.
3.
SG has made resources available to support the sector, working collaboratively
with key policy stakeholders, to address the gaps identified in the Research
Framework. SG wants the sector to develop a multi-disciplinary, multiinstitutional approach to addressing the Framework with the aims of facilitating
a co-ordinated, strategic approach to increasing drugs research through
attracting additional funding and effective knowledge exchange with
practitioner and policy development agencies.
Impact and outcomes
4.
The intended impact of the Research Collaboration is to reduce harms
associated with problem drug use in Scotland. Reducing the number of
individuals with problem drug use is a National Indicator in Scotland Performs
which measures and reports on progress of government in Scotland. This
recognises that, in international terms, Scotland has a disproportionately
serious problem with drug misuse. It is a significant driver of economic
underperformance, crime and victimisation, risk to children and health
inequalities, including drug-related deaths.
5.
The Collaboration should have the following long term outcomes:
• We better understand the nature and extent of problem drug use and its
effects on individuals, families, carers and communities.
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• The gaps in the evidence base around the prevention; harm reduction; and
recovery / treatment interventions which are most effective in reducing the
harms associated with problem drug use have been largely addressed.
• Policy development agencies, treatment and other service providers better
understand which interventions are most effective in what circumstances
and with which individuals.
Outputs
6.
It is envisaged that the collaboration will recruit a research co-ordinator to help
deliver the following specific outputs:
• Promote the Framework, increasing its utility by the research community,
raising awareness amongst researchers and research funders of the
important knowledge gaps, and supporting the development of potentially
impactful research proposals that will be viewed positively by research
funders across each of the key themes. Assisting researchers to address the
gaps identified and getting knowledge into practice.
• Identify new and existing funding opportunities and attract resources,
including European funding sources, to allow projects on the Framework to
be progressed.
• Increase the collaborative infrastructure - facilitate active collaboration
between Scottish researchers working on the themes identified in the
Framework, including interdisciplinary, cross institutional, cross-sector and
cross UK / international collaborations, assisting in the development and
co-ordination of multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary applications for
funding.
• Set up knowledge exchange channels between researchers, practitioners,
service users and the general public to maximise the impact of research
undertaken and facilitate potential co-production of research between
researchers and practitioners and others.
• Create a web portal for drugs research to increase the global visibility of
Scottish research in this area and to help researchers to make links and avoid
duplication.
• Provide a liaison role between researchers and the Scottish Government /
Scottish Parliament and SPICe.
Assessment Criteria
7.
The assessment will be guided by the following broad principles that must be
addressed in proposals. All criteria must be adequately met in order for the
collaboration to be funded.
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Potential for impact
• Will the collaboration deliver a co-ordinated, strategic approach to increasing
drugs research, attracting additional funding (from UK and international
sources) and developing effective knowledge exchange with policy
development agencies?
• Is consideration given to all the research themes identified within the
Framework?
Participation and collaboration
• What evidence is there that the collaboration will work across Scotland with
all key stakeholders in a multi-disciplinary, multi-institutional manner and
will work across academic and practitioner boundaries?
• Does the collaboration include an NHS and other public sector partner(s) in
order to translate research into practice and to coordinate support to the
practitioner community?
Leadership and management
• Is there a clear governance structure with representation from all
stakeholders and with a chair / co-chairs who demonstrate the skills,
commitment and standing to successfully manage and deliver the
collaboration’s outcomes and to drive a nationwide collaboration?
• Are there clear plans for the co-ordinator role, both the skills and aptitudes
necessary to successfully fill this important role, but also suitable
management and governance structures including how the post will be
recruited and where it will be hosted?
• Does the proposal set out suitable and robust KPIs for each year of the
collaboration, are these ambitious and yet realistic?
Value for money and sustainability
• Are the estimated costs for the proposed activities clearly set out and
appropriate and do they represent value for money?
• Are there robust plans and commitment from the institutions involved in the
collaboration for sustaining the collaboration beyond the funding period?
Funding
8.
SG will make up to £80,000 per annum available for three years from FY 201718 through to FY 2019-20, subject to the collaboration meeting defined KPIs
and the availability of funding.
9.
By the end of year 3 of the collaboration, it is envisaged that other funding
sources will have been identified through the activity of the collaboration, in
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order to make the infrastructure self-sustaining.
Assessment process
10. As the successful proposal will need to demonstrate commitment from across
the sector to participate in the collaboration it is not expected that multiple
submissions will be submitted. If multiple competing consortia emerge it will
not be possible to develop a collaboration through this process.
11. To assist in the development of a sector wide approach SG will provide facilities
for a national workshop on the morning of Monday 5 December at Victoria
Quay in Edinburgh (exact timings to follow). This workshop should be sectorled, but Dr Stuart Fancey, SFC Director – Research & Innovation, will provide a
brief introduction and facilitation.
12. Please register your interest in attending this workshop by contacting Hazel
McGraw: [email protected]. In the event that insufficient interest is
registered, the workshop will not go ahead.
13. The deadline for submission of proposals is 12 noon on 1 February 2017. The
proposal should be a maximum of 10 pages and should be emailed to Hazel
McGraw: [email protected].
14. The assessment panel will meet in late February and will draw its membership
from SG, SFC, stakeholder representatives and research and knowledge
exchange experts based in Scotland and elsewhere.
15. An indicative timeline is set out below:
Early November
2016
5 December 2016
(am)
12 noon on 1
February 2017
Late February 2017
Early March 2017
Late March 2017
SFC issues Call for a collaborative proposal
Meeting of the collaboration at Victoria Quay, Edinburgh
Deadline for submission of the collaborative proposal
Panel meets to assess the proposal
Negotiation with successful applicants
Letter of grant issued and year one funding commences
Equalities Impact Assessment
16. SFC takes a rigorous approach to advancing equality and diversity through the
completion of Equalities and Human Rights Impact Assessments (EHRIAs) and
an EHRIA will be carried out for the successful proposal.
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Further information
17. For further information please contact:
Hazel McGraw,
Research and Innovation,
Scottish Funding Council,
[email protected]
0131 313 6657
Fiona Fraser,
Population Health Team,
Scottish Government,
[email protected]
0131 244 1626
Dr Stuart Fancey
Director of Research and Innovation
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