Emerging Minds Network Launches Final Funding Call

Funding for UK projects aiming to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems experienced by children and young people.

The Emerging Minds network is one of eight collaborative programmes in mental health funded by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The network aims to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems experienced by children and young people.

The Emerging Minds network has launched its third and final funding call for projects to help the network address its priority ‘Big Question Research challenge’, namely: ‘How do we implement effective promotion of good mental health, prevention and early treatment for mental health problems at scale amongst children and young people?’

Proposals will also be funded that help the network to answer the following research questions:

  • Why, even when we know ‘what works’, isn’t this necessarily implemented in policy and practice?
  • How do we improve evidence-based decision making? For example, how can we successfully inform commissioning decisions and policy making, and how can we ultimately increase implementation of research into practice?

Projects should be collaborations across disciplines and sectors. Applications must be led or co-led by a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI). Projects co-led by an HEI in partnership with non-academic groupings such as the voluntary and community sector, public sector and/or lived experience-led groups are also strongly encouraged.

Individuals may only act as a lead applicant on one application, although an individual or organisation may be involved in the project teams of an unlimited number of proposed projects.

The total funding available is £140,000. It is anticipated that this will fund two projects with up to £70,000 each, or one project with up to £140,000. HEIs will be funded at 80% full Economic Cost. Funding may be used to cover the direct expenses incurred in planning, conducting, and developing the research.

Funded projects will need to be delivered within six months, beginning by April 2022 and completed by October 2022.

Non-mandatory expressions of interest should be submitted by the 29 October 2021 deadline.

Full applications should be submitted by the 16 December 2021 deadline.

(This report was the subject of a ResearchConnect Newsflash.)