Health policy research at UCL boosted by over £20m from NIHR

Pregnant patient speaking with a doctor UCL has been awarded funding worth an estimated £20m for Policy Research Units by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) to support research into health issues including early cancer diagnosis, mental and reproductive health. UCL has been awarded funding worth an estimated £20m for Policy Research Units by the National Institute of Health and Care Research (NIHR) to support research into health issues including early cancer diagnosis, mental and reproductive health. The NIHR Policy Research Units (PRUs) bring together multidisciplinary teams of researchers to address complex societal challenges and enable the development of research-based policy at a local and national level. Drawing on UCL's strengths across a broad range of health and life sciences, PRU researchers can respond to pressing issues of research policy, provide insight into the factors affecting health and wellbeing, and support the government and public bodies in making informed decisions and developing effective policy for health and social care. By leveraging UCL's strong partnerships across healthcare, the higher education sector, and commitment to integrating the voices of people with lived experience, PRU researchers can deliver research with proven impact to help people live longer, healthier lives. The funding awarded by NIHR builds on an initial award in 2017, and will see the establishment of one new PRU in Reproductive Health, as well as continuing the research programme for a further five years at the four existing PRUs which investigate: Cancer Awareness, Screening and Early Diagnosis; Healthy Weight; Mental Health; and Children and Families.